front reading light failure

[clazman]

The front reading lights have decided not to come on when opening the door after flickering for a few days. Aren't they on the same control of the sliding door lamps?

Where might I look first? Dr. Haynes hasn't been very helpful.

[sthnglrl]

At about six months' ownership of my 2000 Grand Caravan, my front reading lights (and frankly all the interior lights) have stopped illuminating when the driver's side door is opened. I found that this happens ONLY in the summer, hot weather and in winter - they work perfectly.

Personally, I believe it is caused by a sticking release button in the driver's side door. And it seems that hot weather temperature tends to make the mechanism on the door/van body frame STICK. Did not really find a solution - other than fiddling with the button???

[email protected]

Originally Posted by clazman

The front reading lights have decided not to come on when opening the door after flickering for a few days. Aren't they on the same control of the sliding door lamps?

Where might I look first? Dr. Haynes hasn't been very helpful.

[clazman]

I guess I wasn't very clear. The side lights stay on for their time delay period, but the front lights now stay on for only 3 seconds. It's like the off-delay timer is not working for them but is working for the side lights.

[bandito10]

Did anyone ever get this problem resolved? I have a similar problem... interior lights come on when any door is open except for the two front reading lights. These lights work manually, but not upon door entry as they should.

Thanks.
Dewight
bandito10
97 Caravan

[Sport45]

Originally Posted by bandito10

interior lights come on when any door is open except for the two front reading lights. These lights work manually, but not upon door entry as they should.

Same here with my '96 Grand Voyager. I'm pretty sure they used to come on with the door opening, but they haven't for a long time. I looked at a wiring diagram once, but was not able to find the problem. I think at the time I thought it might be in the BCM and not worth the cost to go further.

[clazman]

orry, I didn't reply to you earlier. The folder that your message was sent to did not highlight to indicate a new message.

No, I haven't. I have an idea though. Just before they went out permanently they would come on momentarily and flicker before they went out. During this time, I adjusted the off delay knob on the dash and it SEEMED to have some influence. I need to remove these controls to see if the off-delay timer is there.

Jerry

[Ed_Strong]

Originally Posted by bandito10

Did anyone ever get this problem resolved? I have a similar problem... interior lights come on when any door is open except for the two front reading lights. These lights work manually, but not upon door entry as they should.

Same problem here...

[clazman]

I think I have the solution. Given all the posts, my own experience and the Haynes manual I believe it is the "reading defeat switch" in the headlamp switch.

This would agree with the posts I've read here. That is that both lights became inoperative simultaneously and that, my case, that just before they went out permanently, I could get them to come back on momentarily by rotating the off delay thumb wheel a little bit.

By its nature the reading defeat switch has to be a part of the off-delay thumb wheel. This would account for my experience and that the reading lamps had gone out simultaneously in all other instances.

[clazman]

I investigated the problem, today, matter of fact!

I, and you, will not be happy with what I found. I disassembled the headlight switch (not an easy task!) and found the problem.

The problem is in the headlight switch. There is a reading defeat switch on the thumb wheel. If the switch does not regain continuity the reading lights will remain deactivated.

Unfortunately, the problem is NOT correctable, at least without replacing the ENTIRE switch!

In my case, and probably all those that wrote to this thread, the failure mode is probably the same.

I found the the wiper was indeed not making contact with the strip on the board. The wiper was discolored meaning it had overheated and deflected away from the contact strip. I knew it was useless, but I re-bent the wiper just the same to match the others (other functions).

I reassembled the switch (TRICKY), re-installed the switch and powered up. The Lights worked!! But... it started flickering as before. I don't know how long it will last.

The current draw appears to be toooooo much. I need to check to see if the previous owner had replaced the bulbs with those of higher amperage.

I'm in the process of checking on a used switch assembly. A new one is $81.00!

Since we last wrote the van has acquired another problem. the parking brake indicator light will not go out. Even with the wire AND control module disconnected.

[sthnglrl]

Since the purchase of my 2000 Grand Caravan (as stated in my first thread) when opening the driver's side door NONE of the interior lights illuminate. ALL other doors on the vehicle work properly in illuminating the interior lights. This is MOST important to me for safety & security when getting in and out of my vehicle at night, out in public.

My problem started occuring within a short time after the purchase of this new van and from my experience, it happens when the weather is hot. I believe the mostly metal button on the door that causes the lights to illuminate swells because of hot weather and ceases to function. IT NEVER HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER.

It bothers me that when I open the door in hot weather I have to manually turn on either a reading light or the button as you described on the headlight controls on the dash. Eventually I believe I will have problems with that switch itself from having to manually use it 100% of the time - remember I live in the deep south and hot weather is the norm.

Good luck with your fixing the problems with your van.

elle

[RIP]

I have the same problem with the center reading lights not coming on when a door opens. In my case it is the thumb wheel switch. For a while, if I wiggled it I could get them to come on. Now they won't come on at all at least automatically. The dealer wants $93 for that cluster of switches - wont sell just the thumb wheel switch. Ive been living just fine without it for 2 years.

[Bigjohnjr]

Yes mine does the same, I just learned to live with it. I know if I relplace the switch it will be fine for awhile, and then it will happen again.

Just a piss poor design by chrylser.