Repair Topics / Lights Lamps Electrical Circuits-1 / Lights Lamps Electrical Circuits-2

• Do I have a burned fuse connector?
• Why is one headlight dim?
• How to change a headlight bulb
• How does an electrical system work?
• How to reprogram a key fob remote control
• How to change wiper blades

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Question: 2002 Dodge 1500 truck mileage: 56,000 I just bought this truck and found the daytime running lights not to be operational. Sometimes they come on and then they go off. I picked up a couple of modules and tried changing them, still no lights. I have the Haynes manual on this vehicle and the associated wiring diagrams. My buddy seems to think I have a faulty plug end or a short in the harness. Normally I wouldn't worry about this little nuisance but in Manitoba Canada we have to pass a safety check to register a new used car. I would really appreciate any feedback that you may provide.

Answer: Try checking the wiring for damage and or bad connections, especially the ground wires. There also may be a faulty switch or control relay.

Question: 2002 Ford Windstar mileage: 57,000. My interior lights stay on all the time. They  get brighter when you open a door or use the dimmer switch to turn them on. The "door ajar" light acts normal. You have answered a question somewhat similar to this for a 1997 Taurus and a 1996 Ford Windstar. I also do not have a car alarm and am not sure what you mean by "scanning the body control module".

Answer: Later model Fords have a computer that ties interior lights, the alarm and the door locks together. Check the headlight switch if twisted all the way will turn the interior lights on.

Question: 2002 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 5.3L mileage: 80,000.  Want to add GM fog lamps (I purchased from a Chevy dealer) - Chevy parts manager said it is necessary to activate in the truck's computer.  Is it possible to perform this yourself without special equipment or does it really require a GM tech to perform this activation.  Are there products on market that you can purchase to do this?

Answer:   For the fog lamps to operate, Just install the fog light kit the system is ready enabled.

Question: 1999 Ford Windstar mileage: 92,000  My interior lights stay on all the time and the "door ajar" light is on all the time.  You have answered a question somewhat related to this for a 1999 Taurus.   However, I don't have a car alarm and I'm not sure what you mean by "scanning the body control module".  There is a relay switch under the dash for the interior lights - should I check this?  Thanks for your help!

Answer: Check the headlight switch if twisted all the way will turn the interior lights on. Then check controls for the interior lights. They are run by the body control module.  Scanning the module for fault codes should tell you what the problem is.

Question: 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier mileage: 57,000.  How do I get to the front turn signal bulb...procedure to change bulb.  I haven’t found a way to get to it to change the bulb...thanks Dan

Answer:  If there are screws on the lens that covers the bulb, remove the screws to remove the lens to get at the bulb.  If no screws are visible, then it comes out from the rear of the panel.

Question: 2004 Ford F-150 mileage: 51,000.  This probably sounds dumb, but WHERE is the sensor on my car for the "door ajar"?  My door ajar light stays on constantly and I had to remove my interior light bulbs to keep the light from being on all the time.  On other cars I've had, there's a little button thing that you can push to make it go off (when the door is open) but I can't find anything like that on mine!  The door is NOT ajar, so there must be something wrong with the sensor.  Please advise.   Thanks.

Answer:   The sensor for the door ajar is combined with the sensor for the car alarm.  It should be located in the door switch assembly.  The sensor feeds the body control module, which controls the interior lights.  Scanning the body control module should pinpoint the malfunctioning component.

Question:   1999 Ford Ranger mileage: 162,000.  I have the same trouble as Sunday's 1-16-2004 "Today's Question.”  My dome light and chime stayed on until I pulled the fuse, now my wipers, speedometer want work until I fix it.  I found the switches in the doors but, not sure how to bypass them to see if they/or which one is bad?  Does the switch that makes the two-wire contact stop the alarm when separated?

Answer:  Your Problem sounds a little different from the question of 1-16-2004. Your G.E.M. sounds like it is shorted and needs replacing. This generic electronic module is what controls these systems if it is shorted it will malfunction.

Question: 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee mileage: 53,000.  My interior lights stay on. I have checked all the door switches and the relay.  There is a timer on the lights but I do not know where it is located or how to check it.  Please help!   I do not think it is the dimmer switch because it works sometimes when the lights go out.

Answer:   A faulty body control module is probably causing your problem with your interior lights. 
 

Question: 2002 Ford Thunderbird mileage: 75,600.  I have a problem with my headlights blinking off and on after being on for about an hour.  They keep blinking off and on and not sure just what the problem might be.  None of the other lights go out.  If I shut the lights off for a while they come on and stay on, until the circuit gets hot again.  Could you please tell me where the circuit breakers are located to replace it, or is it a more complex problem

Answer:  There is no circuit breaker. It is probably a faulty headlight control switch.

Question: 2003 Toyota Camry mileage: 12,000.  Ok, now I am only trying to find out how to change the dome light bulb, I have inserted the screwdriver in the slot made on the side of the plastic lens, to pop it out, but the thing does not budge. I am scared to apply more force, and break the thing.

Answer:  Just pry around the edges very carefully until it comes loose.

Question: 2003 Ford F-250 mileage: 56,000  The lights on the truck operate intermittently.  Something seems to get hot, and the lights go out, then they go right back on.  The longer the truck runs, the faster they go on and off.  I would appreciate any help you could give me.

Answer:   Check for a faulty headlight switch.

Question: 2004 Dodge 1500 Truck mileage: 34,000.   The running lights on my truck have failed.  I have checked the fuse panel fuses and bulbs.  Brake lights, turn signal and flashers work fine when headlights are off.  No taillight, turn signal or brake lights when headlights are on, flashers work.

Answer:  This problem sounds like you have a shorted head light switch.

Question: 2003 Toyota Camry mileage: 60,000.  Back tail light's not working at all. I checked the fuse and it was ok.  I also checked for power in the tail light harness-no power!   On my gauges, it tells me I have no taillights.

Answer:  Try replacing the rear taillight controller.  It is located near the trunk.

Question: 2001 Dodge 1500 Ram Pick Up mileage: 45,000.  Shorted out some fuses in this truck when I coupled it up to a U-haul trailer.   When first rented trailer the right hand signal would not work, so the mechanic rigged it with a crocodile clip to earth it.   During that week, the clip fell off and caused a short.  Had no turn signals, brake lights or instrument cluster lights.  Finally, I cured the turn signal with a new fuse and the brake lights, but still vehicle has no illumination for instrument cluster or taillights.  Any ideas?  Already checked every fuse but owners manual does not indicate taillights or where fuses go for this unit.

Answer:   Double-check the fuses. There should be one for the dash and taillights.  If okay, next check the headlight switch.

Question: 2003 Mazda B3000 mileage: 33,400.  The low setting on my headlights is next to useless.  They cast very little light.  The high beams are much better.  The battery appears to be charging and the car runs fine, but it seems that the headlights are not getting enough current to emit very much light.

Answer:  Your headlights are low probably because the system has a bad ground. Using a test light probe the ground circuit of the system with the headlights on. If the test light lights up anytime in the test repair that circuit ground and the problem will be solved. BTW you can test all car electrical circuit grounds using this method.

MORE: Car lights questions

Repair Topics / Lights Lamps Electrical Circuits-1 / Lights Lamps Electrical Circuits-2

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