97 caravan map lights?

[jasondpf]

does anyone know if the 97 grand caravan with map lights in front and back turns on the map lights when the doors open or the dome lights come on?

[moparman58]

I just opened my 97 T&C to get out the owner's manual to see what it says. All of the interior lights came on: the map lights, the dome light and the in-door lights. According to the manual, they are all controlled by the wheel next to the headlight/fog switch. To quote:

Interior Lights
Interior lights are turned on when the doors or liftgate are opened, the keyless entry transmitter is activated, or when the dimmer control is moved to the extreme top. The interior lights will automatically turn off in approx 15 minutes if any of the following occur:
- A door or liftgate is left open.
- Any overhead reading light is left on.
- If the dimmer control is in the extreme top position.
If the key is left in the ignition this feature will not be activated. If any door or light switch is used, it will reset the timer.

Dimmer Control
With the park lights or headlights on, rotate the control up to increase the brightness of the instrument panel lights. Rotate the dimmer control to its first detent position above the dimmer range to turn on all vacuum fluorescent displays (radio, compass, electronic cluster) to full daytime brightness. Rotate the dimmer control to the extreme top, past the detent, to turn on the interior lights, except the front reading/courtesy lights. Rotate the dimmer control to the extreme bottom, past the detent, to activate the Interior Lights Defeat Feature.

Hope that helps.

[RIP]

Yes, they should come on. Try wiggling the dimmer "wheel" switch and see if they flicker on. I have a 96 GC with a simular problem. At one time I could wiggle that switch and the forward map lights and only those lights would flicker on and off. Now they don't come on at all unless I manual push them on. At the time I talked to the head mechanic at the local dealer who said the contacts in that switch are weak and they go through a lot of them. They wanted $108 dollars for the 3 switch set in that panel and didn't sell the individual switches. I blew it off and have been living with it since. I can still turn them on manually if needed. Please let us know what you find.

[jasondpf]

I will try the wiggling trick. the dash lights do flicker when I adjust the brightness of them, they flicker on and off. but I have not seen any activity from my dome light or the map lights unless I manually turn them on.
I will let you know what I find. thanks for the reply.

[jasondpf]

My problem is solved. there was a relay that I found in the glove box that needed to be plugged into position 13 in the fuse box located under the steering colum. I dont know why the person before me took the relay out but everything is working fine. and like you said i did have to wiggle the dimmer switch to get the front map lights to come on. when I opened the door every light except those two came on and as soon as I touched the dimmer switch they flickered to life. and now they have been comeing on every time I open my door. the passenger door plunger that tells the car to turn on the dome lights does not come out far enough to turn on the lights, i have to wiggle it to get the lights to come on.

THANKS FOR THE REPLYS MY PROBLEM IS SOLVED!!!!

[RIP]

Great! If you ever need to replace that switch and find a source on the web please let me know. I cringe thinking of giving a Dodge dealer a penny. Thanks for letting us know the result. Cheers!