Interior lights don't come on (searched)

[Zenja]

I don't think this is a problem with the door switches. The keyhole illumination, dome lights, buzzer, interior lights, etc don't come on when either door or hatch is opened.

Here are the weird parts (hopefully they're good hints). Every once in a great while, the system will work perfectly fine for about a day. Also, if I pull the fuse that controls this system (I forgot which one), keep it out for a few seconds, then put it back in while a door is open, everything will get illuminated as normal for a few seconds, and then it will fade out (just as if the doors were closed under normal circumstances). After it fades out, it no longer works at all until I pull the fuse again.

Does anyone with knowledge of how this is all wired know where I could look? Perhaps a relay or the fading timer circuit? Where would I find these things? Also, if it's related, my power side mirrors don't work at all, and the power door locks are sort of finicky.

And on a (possibly) side note: what is the connection under the driver's seat for?
Thanks for any helpful leads.

 

[Gigaah]

IF you get the factory electrical manuals you'll be able to find out. Even on CD they are usefull. Ebay or what ever. It'll show you where everything is located and how its hooked up.

I don't know off hand how its hooked up but if it occasionally works an intermittened switch or relay sounds right. My car will behave the same when I remove the fuse, and I 'm certain my door switches are fubar.(not installed) Get a multi meter from autozone for like $20 and check the switches. You'll certainly get use from the meter at some other point in your cars life its a good investment. get a digital one.

 

[luv2rallye]

I still think your door switches may be at fault since the timer circuit requires them to work when the door is closed to charge up an internal capacitor which can then discharge (or fire) the timer. So clean them from rust, corrosion, etc and make sure they make good contact.

 

[dsm4life]

i had the same problem. Does your alarm arm with the doors open ? then its the switches. This happened to me and by just looking at them the switch looked fine . When i unscrewed from the body they where all corroded inside. Easy fix, good luck

 

[Zenja]

So it was the switches. The door switches were all corroded. It took me a while of fiddling with it and problem solving since cleaning the corrosion off didn't fix it. I had to "play" with the switches to make them work properly. It went better once I found out that the second wire isn't the ground wire, but that there's two wires, one for the buzzer and one for the dome lights (why?)

Thanks

 

[BUCK]

So it was the switches. The door switches were all corroded. It took me a while of fiddling with it and problem solving since cleaning the corrosion off didn't fix it. I had to "play" with the switches to make them work properly. It went better once I found out that the second wire isn't the ground wire, but that there's two wires, one for the buzzer and one for the dome lights (why?)

Thanks

by the way, the connector you speak of allows you the option of power seats

 

[luv2rallye]

It went better once I found out that the second wire isn't the ground wire, but that there's two wires, one for the buzzer and one for the dome lights (why?)

Because they are separate circuits that operate by connecting them to ground. The switch is actually a double pole, single throw switch that connects both wires to ground (the door metal) when activated.

 

[dsm4life]

trying to clean then and use again is a waste of time. I tried that and they failed a few days later. Just get two from dealer they are cheap.