Courtesy lights won't turn off

[umina]

I just got a 92 GrandAm, courtesy lights not working. I checked, bad fuse. After inserting fuse, the courtesy lights won't turn off, they are on all the time regardless of doors open or dimmer switch. So i drive without that fuse. The car had been in a minor accident involving the rear driver side door, but nothing serious, door still opens and closes and window is fine. I'm thinking a switch in there somewhere is not disengaging, because the lights worked (i'm told anyways) fine before this happened. I looked at the door and couldn't see anything like a switch on the frame, is it inside the door itself?

[umina]

Anybody??

[e2helper]

Sorry - I had tried to help others regarding interior light problems in the past and never had any success stories.

Your vehicle, 1992, has an electronic module called "ICAM" which controls the interior lights when a door is opened. It only grounds the lamps to turn them on, the power feed, like you found is thru a fuse.

I think all the door ajar inputs ran into that module but there was also a switch on the interior dimmer switch to turn on lamps. Keyless entry module also could turn on the lamps.

I thought that the rear doors had a jamb switch in the B Pillar of vehicle which you should have seen. In the front doors I think the switch might be part of the door latch assembly (just a guess).

This is a 4 door, right?

Does it have factory keyless entry system - or an aftermarket system - or none?

Any weird chimes when key ignition off but key left in ignition?

Do your automatic door locks work?

Post back replies and I will give you some additional suggestions on troubleshooting.

[umina]

Thanks for the Info, i'll look on the B pillar again for a switch. The car is 4 door, and has no security system. the power locks work fine, and when the courtesy lights are on (fuse in) the chime only sounds when the door is open with key in ignition. If grounding out turns the lights out, i'm thinking i'll try running a ground wire from the latch to the frame and see if maybe that turns them out?

[e2helper]

Thank you for answering my questions. Your vehicle is a holding up better than my memory. I am a little fuzzy on details on how your vehcle works (LOL)

Be sure you really mean that your power locks work fine.

DOES THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FEATURE IN YOUR VEHICLE REALLY FUNCTION?

When you close all doors in your vehicle and shift it out of PARK if the doors automatically LOCK that means that there is NOT a problem with your door ajar/jamb switches but problem is elsewhere.

If the doors DO NOT lock then it is possible that the problem is with door ajar inputs (because that would also prevent auto door lock system from working).

Of course if you are not the original owner of vehicle who knows what they might have done to disable something like automatic door locks.

Fact that no weird chimes means that there is no problem with DRIVER door.

Keep me posted on your results.

[justonce]

Your door jam switch for front doors is on your door latch thats why when you pull on the handle on a lock door the lite comes on for the back doors thats your ground switch lites only comes on when door is open you said you got a bang on your door the switch could have fallen off ats why its on its a NCS normally closed switch. I hope this help you?

[richtazz]

the rear door switch is located toward the front of the rear door, just above the hinge, and could have been knocked out of adjustment in the accident. If I'm not mistaken, the rear door being open will not make the key in ignition chime go off, but would cause the dome light to stay on.

[swalt]

If the Chime module under the dash was ever shorted it could cause the problem you are referring to, but when the resistor inside it shorts, the chime typically chimes while the interior lights are on. If you want to check to see if that is your problem, the chime is under the driver side kick plate (usually pink/orange in colour). You can open it up and it will be obvious if the resistor is burnt. Mine burnt when I dropped a penny in the cigarette lighter. Dealer wanted $125 Canadian, picked one up at the wrecker for $5.