Dome light will not turn on

[RWThrun]

I just bought this 1998 Taurus, and am trying to work out all the little quirks it has.

My dome light and side door lights will not turn on when any door opens. And yes... I have WD-40'd all the door latch switches. The door adjar light illuminates when any door is open, but the interior lights don't come on (all bulbs and fuses are good). There isn't a button that I have to flip anywhere to get these guys to turn on, is there?

I was guessing it is a relay so I took off the 3 relay covers - interior lamp, driver unlock, and battery saver. The interior lamp and battery saver relays are REALLY HOT, even when the car has been off for a while. (I feel like an idiot, but I cannot get the relays out for the life of me in order to inspect them further. The cover just pops off when I try to pull them, but not the actual relay.)

Does anyone know what could be the problem with my interior lights? ...does anyone know how to remove these darn relays?

[Eidolon]

I have the identical problem with the same vehical. Even the dome light switch in the dashboard does not turn the dome light on. I can hear a relay clicking when I use the switch, but I can't pull the relays out to check for power at the fuse panel because of the same issues as mentioned in the above post. Very annoying.

I see that the original post was posted two years ago with no response. Is there anyone out there that can help?

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

No one is going to know what is wrong with your particular system. These kinds of problems need to be systematically traced down. You'll need to first get your hands on a electrical wiring diagram for your car. It's a good sign that the door ajar light works. That tells you that it's probably not the door jam switches. It's also a good thing that none of the lights work because that tells you that it's probably one central thing that is wrong (like a bad ground for example).

The best place to get a wiring diagram for free is at your local library. You can also purchase them on-line if they don't have one. I have to go to the library next week and if this isn't fixed at that time then I'll see if our library has a diagram for you. Once you have the diagram you'll need to trace it down with a meter (you do have a meter right?). If the relays are getting hot then most likely something is shorting out. That could be something as simple as one of the relays themselves. If that's the case, then you 'may' be able to just clean the contacts with some sandpaper and fix the problem, but we're jumping ahead of ourselves First you'll need to get that wiring diagram. Then we can start to diagnose the problem

The clicking sound is probably a relay.

[Eidolon]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I do have a wiring diagram and a multi meter (can't do much without those ). I found a program that has wiring diagrams, locations of all the connectors, and a detailed step by step troubleshooting procedure for whatever problem I encounter with any 1998 Ford product. I got that from one of the stickies in the forums for manuals. Very handy!

My biggest problem I am having at this point is getting the relays to actually come out of their sockets. The cover for them just pops off and the rest of the relay stays put. I may just have to buy new relays and break the ones that I have to remove *shrugs*. Being a fairly large person, just getting under the dash is quite a challenge, so checking them in place is not possible. I tried removing the entire fuse/relay panel (whatever you call it) but the clips that hold the top part of it in place are causing me grief. It looks to me like it should pull out of these clips but it doesn't want to come out. The clips are made of a fairly heavy metal. Any hints here would be great.

There is a method of checking resistance and voltage through the connectors, so I will continue to troubleshoot with the step by step instructions with the program I have. I just won't be able to check the relays. I will keep you posted on what I find.

Something else I realized is that with the door open there is no door chime either. There should be a door chime, right?

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

My biggest problem I am having at this point is getting the relays to actually come out of their sockets.

I had the same problem a few months ago when I was designing a new alarm system for my SEL. I think the relays need to be pushed/twisted or moved in some way before they will come off (Fords version of the child-proof medicine bottle cap) I never did find out what the trick was to remove them, but I know it's along those lines. I will look in the Ford shop manual later and see if they mention anything.

Something else I realized is that with the door open there is no door chime either. There should be a door chime, right?

Jiggle you key while it's in the ignition. The contacts 'may' just be dirty. Either that or whatever is keeping the light off is keeping the chime off, if it's not bad to begin with.

[Eidolon]

Jiggle you key while it's in the ignition.

With the key in the ignition there is a chime. What I am asking is, is there supposed to be a chime for the door only when it is opened (with no key or headlights on)?

I think the relays need to be pushed/twisted or moved in some way before they will come off

Let me know if you find out anything about removing these relays. Thanks.

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

is there supposed to be a chime for the door only when it is opened (with no key or headlights on)?

Best way to find out would be to go to a used car dealer that has a car like yours and look at it. Some cars have this feature, but some only have the chime when the keys are in the ignition.

Let me know if you find out anything about removing these relays.

Yes if I find anything out I'll post it here