1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Cab Light problem

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by mjz, Feb 17, 2012.

  1. Feb 18, 2012 at 11:42 AM
    #21
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2009
    Member:
    #26893
    Messages:
    19,148
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado Front Range
    Vehicle:
    1998 Ext Cab 3.4 4x4 TRD 5MT, 2004 DC 3.4 4x4 TRD
    FWIW on my '98 the switch is very pesky and particular too. I leave it on "door" all the time, but if I have to ever switch it to "on" I have to keep wiggling it once I return it to "door" in order for it to work. Once I find that sweet spot it always works though.
     
  2. Feb 18, 2012 at 3:36 PM
    #22
    Hillingdoner

    Hillingdoner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2012
    Member:
    #70273
    Messages:
    455
    Gender:
    Male
    Rio Rancho, NM
    Vehicle:
    95 LX xtracab 3.4L 4x4 5spd
    140 amp Cadillac alternator, Audio system in progress, 4Runner map light mirror conversion, foot well lamp addition, buckets and console from 99 Tacoma regular cab, big three, tint
    Glad you were able to figure it out.

    Cheers
     
  3. Feb 18, 2012 at 4:44 PM
    #23
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,709
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    ^^exact same thing on my 98^^
     
  4. Aug 23, 2012 at 7:01 PM
    #24
    steve604

    steve604 Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2009
    Member:
    #17246
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    abbotsford, bc
    Vehicle:
    '04 tacoma trd 4x4 ext cab
    all-pro coilovers, uca's, 3" leafs + shackles
    i have an '04 with the same problem.

    my map lights work fine
    dome light bulb is good
    dome light switch is good
    grounds around the dome light are good

    no power on the black wire going into the dome light. has anyone traced this black wire to any particular spot? i get the feeling this has to do with the body ecu. before this problem happened i know that my dome light dimmed when i locked the door (supposed to) so i'm going to say that the dimmer in the body ecu is burnt up.

    WTF toyota? why does the dome light have to dim out when the doors get locked?
     
  5. Aug 23, 2012 at 7:06 PM
    #25
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,709
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    It goes back to the left kick panel to a junction, then to the body ecu
     
  6. Aug 24, 2012 at 5:12 AM
    #26
    mjz

    mjz [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2012
    Member:
    #72994
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    '04 Tacama SR5 Pre-runner
    It's been months and my dome light doesn't work. But at least I know why - it's a faulty switch (see earlier posts). Strange though because when I took apart the switch - every metal part was touching from power source to light bulb and yet no voltage. When I 'jiggled' it, I would get light, but it wouldn't last. I can only assume that the resistance in the type of metal used is just too high for 12 volts (due to microscopic corrosion that I can't see). The roller bearing that toggles the switch might be where the problem is located.

    I tried cleaning it - but the problem remains.

    Eventually I may just order a new switch and see if that fixes it just to have it working. The map lights work, so it's not a big deal.
     
  7. Oct 14, 2012 at 8:46 AM
    #27
    TACO in SC

    TACO in SC TuRD

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2012
    Member:
    #87221
    Messages:
    207
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Greenwood, SC
    Vehicle:
    '03 Tacoma Ex Cab 4x4 V6 5-Speed
    Pretty well stock
    I was looking for the reason my dome light stopped working and found this conversation that addressed the same symptoms on my '03 Tacoma.

    The map lights still worked as designed but I had no power to my dome light. Recently I had unplugged the blue connector under the ignition switch to disable the pesky key-in-ignition chime and wondered if there was a connection to the dome light problem. This morning I reconnected the blue connector with no initial positive results. I then turned the key to start the truck and I guess reset some computer programming and now my dome light works as it should.

    Now I have to try another approach to kill that annoying key-in-ignition chime.
     
  8. Oct 14, 2012 at 9:07 PM
    #28
    steve604

    steve604 Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2009
    Member:
    #17246
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    abbotsford, bc
    Vehicle:
    '04 tacoma trd 4x4 ext cab
    all-pro coilovers, uca's, 3" leafs + shackles
    thanks for the tip, i'll give that a try tomorrow.

    i started looking for the wire behind the driver's side kick panel and figured out it was going to be hopeless. i know that the wire will not be connected to the 12v+ wire to the map lights because i recall hitting the lock button on the keyless entry with the map lights on and they would stay on while the dome light would fade out.
     
  9. Oct 15, 2012 at 8:41 PM
    #29
    monoman

    monoman Time to get dirty!

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2008
    Member:
    #8607
    Messages:
    1,453
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Exotic, San Jose, Cal.
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tacoma SR Access Cab 4X4
    SnugTop SuperSport shell CaliRaisedLED light bar Toyo Open Country AT/3's Bilstein 5100's up front, (#2) & 4600 in rear Daily driver....
    Try this.....super easy & it works great!:D
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/54732-disable-damn-door-buzzer.html
     
  10. Oct 16, 2012 at 3:13 PM
    #30
    TACO in SC

    TACO in SC TuRD

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2012
    Member:
    #87221
    Messages:
    207
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Greenwood, SC
    Vehicle:
    '03 Tacoma Ex Cab 4x4 V6 5-Speed
    Pretty well stock
    Following the directions in the link above I removed the panel under the steering wheel and found that it recommends I unplug the same plug (mine is blue) that I suspected halted the operation of my dome light. Oh well, since I ripped the panel off, I might as well unplug it again and see if my dome light stops working again. I can always plug it back in again without pulling the panel.

    Edit - reading that link further shows disarming the chime at the base of the fuse box. If my dome light ceases operation I'll reconnect the blue plug and explore that option.

    Tacoma Blue Plug.jpg
     

Products Discussed in

To Top