dome light not working

[f150gt]

My dome light doesn't work with the doors, it works if I turn it on manually, the switches in door jam work because it works for door chime and it seems that they are used for both the chime and dome light, but somewhere in between the switch and light something seems to be not working. Thanks for your help.

[mightymoose_22]

is there an actual switch at the dome light? SHould be 3 position... on/door/off
When set in the middle it should work with the doors. Given your description you know the light is good and it appears the door switch is working... have you checked with both doors?
If you can rule out the door switches look in to the switch at the dome light itsself.

[chevyn0va1]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

is there an actual switch at the dome light? SHould be 3 position... on/door/off
When set in the middle it should work with the doors. Given your description you know the light is good and it appears the door switch is working... have you checked with both doors?
If you can rule out the door switches look in to the switch at the dome light itsself.

also you can clean the door switches with wd-40 or ellectricall cleaner and push them in as you spray to work it a little

[f150gt]

I think I can rule out the door switches, because with the keys in ignition the chime works when each of the the 4 doors is opened, and I assume these switches for for both the dome light and door chime. I will see what I can find with the dome light itself and the switch in that. The light also does not come on with the remote door lock like it used to, could it be the timer that used to keep the light on for a few seconds after you shut the doors? and where is that located to check?

[mightymoose_22]

What year is your car? I can have a look at the wiring diagram...

[f150gt]

Well, I just took my dome light in the house and hooked up to battery and it seems to operate correctly. I hooked up as such: 1 neg. to where the red/white would be in car, 1 neg. to where the ground screw goes, and 1 pos. to where the blue/red in car would go. Also found where red/white from door switch goes into green plug under fuse box and with my tester the door switches are working.

[mightymoose_22]

Looking at a diagram... the only thing in the circuit between the door switches and the dome light is the chime. You said the chime was working, but perhaps it is not working correctly...
My diagram does not include a timer... if your car is equipped with one then that is likely the source of your problem since you indicated that it is not working.
Since it does not show a timer on my diagram I assume your car is newer than '96... so I can't help you locate it. Most likely it is right under the steering column though, or right next to the fuse panel.
Note the color of the wires at the dome light and look for the same color wires in the area of the fuse panel to try and trace to the timer. The timer may even be wired to the chime, so you could start at the chime and follow backwards to the timer.

[f150gt]

it's a 97 escort lx, I have a haynes manual that shows also the wires from door switches going to the chime and I can hear it but can't really locate it. The wire from door switch goes into a green plug directly below the fuse panel. I have no idea where it goes from there.

[mightymoose_22]

if you have time, maybe stop by a local library. Many libraries have Mitchell repair volumes and they tend to have MUCH more detailed wiring diagrams.
It seems pretty likely that it is an item right there under the dash... you just need a way to trace it. Maybe if you can get a look at the wires that connect to the "Room" fuse you can follow them somewhere useful. According to my diagram (for older cars) you might be looking for something attached to a Red/White wire. From the door switch, the R/W wire should lead you to the chime (or timer, or both if they are the same unit)... perhaps that is what the green plug is?
Since the timer only factors into the circuit when the switch is in the position to operate with the doors, it makes sense that the timer being bad would cause this.

[f150gt]

Thanks for your help mightymoose, I have a library right near by and will have to check this out, it is really getting frustrating, but It really isn't worth bringing to a dealer to look at for 95 bucks per hr. or whatever they charge. If I can't find it soon I am thinking about clipping the wire where it goes into the green plug and just mounting a couple lights under the dash and hooking it up directly to them. Thanks again!