Interior lights will not go off

Tiny
CAROL LEMONDS
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • 75,000 MILES
Dome/floor interior lights will not go off when the ignition is turned off. Dash warning light indicates "Door Ajar" but all doors are shut tight nor "push interior" on headlight will not fix it. Battery is being drained and sometimes after driving for several miles the door locks will click. Can you tell me what is wrong with my car.

Thank you
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 AT 8:00 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,861 POSTS
Hi CAROL,

The switch that control the interior lights for open doors are made right into the door jam and they have a history of sticking and causing problems.

Go to each door and while they are shut pull and push the door to work them back and forth a little while watching the lights, when you find one that goes out that is the latch that is giving you problems. You may need to replace that latch.

Here is a technique that often works well and eliminates the problem at no cost.

Get a can of spray lube like WD40 or something like it and has a straw on the nozzle. Spray it generously up into the latch mechanism. Now open and close the door numerous times to work it in.

Repeat this process several times. Since you don't really know which door is causing the problem, you should do all of them.

If this doesn't work the lighting module can be bad but to be sure here are the interior light wiring diagrams and a guide so you can test the circuits.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

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Wednesday, December 14th, 2016 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
REY-GTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you for this post I found the door ajar switch for the drivers door was off so I fixed it problem gone I love this site.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
JETMECHFEVER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • RWD
  • 130,000 MILES
Background:
Feb, 2015, I noticed I had no brake lights. I trouble shot the situation, and discovered that the electrical harness had melted where it connects to the brake light switch. I replaced the switch, and repaired the harness with a couple of spade connectors. The brake lights still wouldn't work if the switch was installed in the car, but I noticed that it would actuate the lights if operated by hand. I added a.050" shim to the surface of the switch actuator, and all work as advertised, problem disappeared.
Fast Forward 8 months:
I was leaving work and found I had a dead battery. Upon trouble shooting the cause, I discovered that the brake lights would not extinguish. I immediately remembered the shim that I had installed on the switch, and removed it. The brake lights went off, and still wouldn't work without it. I again noticed that the wiring to the switch had gotten hot and melted some of the insulation, so I replaced the switch again, and also bought an aftermarket connector to splice in. I did the work, and, with the new switch, the brake lights worked as they should, however, now the headlights came on as soon as the electric circuit was energized, and stayed on regardless of the time of day or the position of the lisht switch on the dash. In addition to the exterior lights having a mind of their own, I noticed I had no interior lights (courtesy lights), and I also noticed smell as thought the wiring was getting hot inside the car.
At this point I removed the terminals from the battery, and have been chasing the problem online ever since.
Please HELP.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAR-MAN145
  • MECHANIC
  • 321 POSTS
The only thing they all have in common is the headlight switch I would begin there. The wires getting hot may be another problem but can still be in the headlight switch.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JETMECHFEVER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'll do just that. I think I have a much more elusive problem than that, but that seems like a good starting point.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAR-MAN145
  • MECHANIC
  • 321 POSTS
I forgot these have a lighting control module that they have many problems with they even made the warranty longer check with your local dealer to see if its part of the recall
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALANNASSER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 4.6L
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
So I was trying to put new lights, but I missed up I cut both wires while the light was on and then all the interior lights turned off, I put the light back it didn't work, now none of the lights work. Every single light inside is not working, doors lights, foot lights, glove compartment light, etc.
I would like to know what's the problem and how to fix it.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
CHECK YOUR FUSES AND FUSIBLE LINKS

THE MEDIC
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALANNASSER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So in other words I should replace the fuses for the lights or what?
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Take a look at this

Http://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Keep us posted on progress

The medic
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALANNASSER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you so much I actully found the fuse, changes it and then the lights worked, glad I found yall
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Beautiful!

Stick us in your favorites!

The medic
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EI1301
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • LINCOLN TOWN CAR
1992 Lincoln Town Car: V8.
My problem is that when I turn off the car and close the doors. The inside lights will not turn off. This inludes the clock, the lights by your feet, the glowing keyhole and the lights on the ceiling. Because of this it is draining my battery and my car will not start. At first I thought my battery was bad but I got it tested and it came out ok thus it can hold a charge.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Just a question, have you turned off the interior/cargo light switch in the car? It should be the light dimmer switch.

If you have then check the buttons that tell the car the door is closed take them off and replace them.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSSO87
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 62,250 MILES
Hello, every time I turn the car on and leave the door open or turn on the lights for night driving, the interior lights start flashing slightly and only stop when I accelerated the car and I do not know what they may be. Could the voltage regulator is causing this problem?
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNY G.JR
  • MECHANIC
  • 320 POSTS
Start checking grounds for dirty or loose connections.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Would not hurt to stop at a popular auto parts store and have the battery and charging system tested. This can be done "on vehicle" and this is usually a free service.

Should your rig start tugging at your wallet.

Before you make a spontaneous purchase, look my link over below!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2001-dodge-neon-milage-just-want-put-fliuds-their-locations

Let us know how things go!

The Medic
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PHUMPS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,968 MILES
The interior lights would not go off when the car was off and the doors were shut so the battery wore down. Could this be a fuse? My husband passed away and I'm now TRYING to be the mechanic!
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
If the lights are staying on that means the fuse is definitely OK. Probably a stuck door ajar switch or bad dimmer switch. First try lubricating all the door latches, especially the one used the most, with WD40.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 6:35 PM (Merged)

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