My son just purchased the car and noticed that the dome light was missing. We replaced the bulb and the light stays on all the time now, even with the car turned off. Since there is an aftermarket stereo installed, so I assume that there is a wire misconnected. Any thoughts on this or is there another possibility that I should look at? Any suggestions appreciated.
Mike
To assume the stereo has something to do with it doesn't make sense. That's #57 on the list of possibilities. Check to see if the dome light switch is on first, then check out the door switches. Then pull the dome fuse and see if it goes out. (with the door closed of course). Many many avenues to explore before blaming the radio. Sounds as if you have a problem with people putting in aftermarket radios.
I'm not certain about yoru Mustang, but my '95 Bronco turns the dome light on and off by twisting the light switch.
Pulling the light switch turns the lights on, twisting the light switch adjusts the brightness of the insturment panel, if you twist the light switch to Full Bright, it will click and turn the dome light on.
If the fuse is pulled, why does the door need to be closed?
hmmmmmm.. good point. my bad.
Okay, here's what I have. No fuse labeled as Dome light, so I pulled the "GEM, Interior Lamps" fuse. The dome light works as it should. Now I know that fuse is important because it wouldn't be in there otherwise. The question is, where do I go now? And what is GEM (it's list 5 times)? Thanks for the help!
Mike
Generic Electronic Module: I stole this text from another website:
The GEM module is responsible for the following: Door Ajar & Low Washer Fluid warning light, Remote Keyless Entry & Power Door Locks, Power Windows, Courtesy Lamps, all the Door Ajar Switches, including the Lift Gate, Interval Wipers/Washer, Heated Mirrors & Rear Window Defrost, Rear Air Suspension, Warning Chimes and also ties in a bit with the ABS & Air Bag System. There may have been a couple of other little items I missed.
As for where it is on the mustang, I don't know.
Thanks for the GEM info. Any suggestions on what to look at next for the dome light?
Exactly my thought... did the OP make sure that the dome light wasn't switched to be on?
After that it's getting the wiring plan for the car and find where it could be getting power from. Trace it back.
The dome light isn't switched on. Any suggestions on finding the wiring diagram? I'll have to do some looking.
Thanks for the link. I'll take a look at it.
Another thing is that the dome light does not turn off immediately when the door is closed, it might take a minute or two. And, the problem you have could be the timer circuit, and if this is true, then the controller module is probably toast.
Your trouble could be that the car does not know that the door is closed. Back in the olden days when the wheel was invented, the door switch was easily identified as a plunger poking out of the door frame in a manner and place where the door would strike it when the door was closed. Nowadays, they put microswitches inside the latching mechanism that tells the car that the door is open or closed. You can test the door latches by operating the latch mechanism with a tool that looks like the striker. Try manually operating the latch beyond the point where the striker makes it go and see if there is a change in the way the light works.
You need to find out all of the ways that the light can be turned on, then isolate them one at a time. You have two doors, maybe a tailgate, and the dimmer switch that all turn the dome lights on.
The GEM provides a delay feature for turning off the light. The GEM might be messes up or someone might have messed with the wiring for the light.
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