Dome light and parking lights only work when the key is turned on

Just bought a 2004 double cab. Love it! However, there is a curious electrical issue: the dome light and parking lights only work when the key is turned on. My guess is a ground issue but I have no idea where to start. Is there a recall I missed? Please help.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
That's normal.
The dome light also stays on when you remove the key, open door, get out, close door. It's on a timer, turns itself off after 10 seconds or so.

 

I’m not being clear…if I open the door the dome light does not go on until I put the key in and turn it on. Also, if I get in the truck and turn the parking lights on they do not go on…until I put the key in and turn it to ACC.

 

Are the lights using LED bulbs? I just switched mine to nice bright LEDs and they are doing the same thing. The issue comes from the LEDs drawing so little current that the normal circuitry doesn't work. There is a lot of chatter about this issue on here and other forums for older vehicles that try to use LED bulbs. A trick is to solder resistors onto the terminals alongside the bulb, but I haven't looked into the specifics of that yet.

 

Will the Dome light come on if you turn it to ON? (Not the door setting)

 

LEDs and aftermarket alarms have both been accused of causing this in various threads.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dome-light-questions.733314/

 

Yes, I am using LEDs in the dome lamp. I’ll switch and see if it works. What about the parking lights?
Thanks for the help

 

Wow! It worked…I installed an incandescent bulb and it is working properly!
Thanks for the advice

 

If you swap for leds, you have to get canbus leds in order for the lights to work without the key being on. At least that’s how it worked in my 01 double cab.