Dome Light Problem

Recently, my dome light started to do a weird thing, and I'm hoping to fix this problem without going to the dealership if possible.

The dome light comes on immediately after opening the driver's side door, but then turns off after about 1 second. It will not stay lit with the driver's side door open.
The light works fine if you switch it to the "ON" position.
The light comes on and stays on when the passenger door is open.

Where should I start looking to fix this problem?

 

Sounds like a short of some sort with your driver door open/close sensor ... There is a button on the inside door edge that senses the door open and close ... may have to chase some wires.

 

The light works fine with the other doors (I'll double check that this afternoon). Seems to only happen on the driver's side door. It just seems odd that it will turn on initially, but then quickly go out again.

 

I edited my comment read the rest.

 

That would also isolate that issue if it is only happening to that door.

 

Cool. I'll check that this afternoon and report back. Thanks for the help!

 

Its only the driver's side door doing it.

 

Correct that means it's the door ajar actuator shorted most likely. The button along the door jam that senses the door open/closed.

 

Oddly, this morning it actually stayed on normally once. It was cold and windy here this morning so I didn't feel like looking into it for too long, but I'll report back once I find the actuator and see if I can figure out what's up.

 

Well no, That doesn't compute as the door switch provides a ground for the dome light through the Body ECU. If the switch was shorted to ground or through the switch the light would stay on all the time.

I do agree that it is most likely a problem with the door switch that is not closing when the door is open or it could be a loose wire or the switch itself is loose in its mounting only providing a loose connection to ground.

See the pictures below:



And

 

you have mung on the switch

yank it clean it or replace it

 

Chances are it is the switch. It is spring loaded. Vehicle is 8 years old and spring do wear out. Hope you at least checked to make sure the switch was secured to the body. Don't think too much into the problem. works with the other doors. Intermittent with driver door. Driver door is always used more than the other doors unless you go in through the window.

 

Where is the switch located?

 

So can you test that by simply pushing it in with your finger? I tried that, but maybe I wasn't pushing hard enough to get the light to go off.

 

When the button is out the door is open and the switch provides a ground for the light and it come on.

When the door is closed or the button is pressed in the ground is removed and the light goes off.

( Look at the circuit I posted above )

Remove the rubber boot around the switch and unbolt it from the door opening, get a multimeter and check it for continuity.

If what I am saying sounds like Chinese to you.
You need to get assistance from someone that understands Automobile Electronics.

 

I'd just pull that door switch out, located under the latch on the pillar and clean it up, or swap out with another door and see if the issue moves to the other door

 

Not Chinese. Maybe Spanish. I know just enough to be dangerous.