Mysterious dome light

[rallynut78]

I was doing a bit of urban wheeling in prescott last night on my way to work when i sort of slammed down on the t case skid plate. that's what it's for right? well the dome light came on and i can not get it to go off. so far i checked the door switches, and unplugged the battery (to try and reset what ever the problem is but also to avoid draining it). I'm thinking maybe a bad relay but so far i can not locate any relay having to do with the dome light.

When i bought it it had an after market alarm in it that i think was installed incorrectly because when i would turn the dome light on it would activate the hazard lights:confused: a thought was that maybe banging it around set something off.

any ideas?

[gotpower]

Pull the lightbulb...

[rockwerks]

Pull the lightbulb... or turn the dimmer switch

[TRobertsRN]

Whether you are diagnosing a car or a sick person a history is important. What was done or happened recently is usually the cause of the problem if it is a new problem.

It is highly probable that the bump caused the problem.

Is the alarm still installed?

Does it have a valet setting if it is?

Does your headlight switch or a switch next to it turn the dome light on or off at your choosing? Check this switch too.

Has any part of your electrical system ever been under water?

When you say you checked the door switchs what do you mean specifically?

A door dome light switch can be wired a number of ways. If the switch is on the hot lead it turn power on or off to the light and there for when you open the door the switch should be closed (continuity on both wires). If the switch is on the ground side of the circut it may have only one wire going to it and it grounds in the metal of where it is mounted. It could also have two wires.

My suggestiong is to remove (disconnect) the door switches one at a time. If you remove one and the dome stays on it is likely the other switch that is the problem or its circut has a bare wire somewhere touching bare metal somewhere. Also a switch can crud up like battery cables do in particular if they have ever been under water and make a dead short.

If you have removed both switches from the circuts and dome still on

If you have a volt meter or a test light there are some other things you can try.

[rallynut78]

Ok so i narrowed it down that there must be a short somewhere in what ever is left of the crappy alarm system. i know this because when the jeep is running the flashers go constantly. i had to drive it home from work like this and smile and nod at the people passing and signaling to me to turn off my hazards.

any one have advice for dismantling an alarm system?

[jperez]

Whether you are diagnosing a car or a sick person a history is important. What was done or happened recently is usually the cause of the problem if it is a new problem.



or you can just send the patient to the CAR- diac Cath Lab!
:drummer:

poor attempt at humor... carry on