Interior lights

[Rich100000]

Anyone had a problem with interior lights refusing to go out? Pushed light switch fully in and switched off with switches under the mirror but no joy. Have currently taken the fuse out.

[Elanlover]

I know this may be stating the obvious but they are on a timer and turn off after 10 seconds or so (can't recall the right amount of time). If not that then perhaps the door is being seen as completely closed? Does the car lock? Or, perhaps the interior lights module is gone.

[Rich100000]

Thanks. Yep they are still on hours after turning off the engine and closing the doors. Car doors close ok and central locking works fine. Does the 10 sec courtesy timer work off the door or ignition? When you say the interior light module ...what do you mean? The rear view mirror? Or some box of electronics in deep in the bowels of the car?

[maz_r]

Hi Rich,

The interior lights module is a box a tricks that is in with all the other electronics modules above the drivers footwell (RHD).

See here.

Not the easiest to see, but a mirror comes in handy! Pull the module and see if that turns the lights out; should help isolate the problem at least...

[dunnlor]

Had the same problem due to the micro switch in the door locking mechanism not going into an open state when the door was closed. Unplugging the door harness is a temporary work around to stop the battery drain. Unplugging the harness also disables control of the door mirror.

Tom

[lotusflasherman]

Worth noting that those interior lights are permanently 'live' at +12V and all the switching is done by providing a -ve earth return, or not. Therefore faults or stray earth connections 'downstream' from the lights will keep them on.

(The mirror light supply also provides a very convenient source of 12V for screen mounted items like SatNav, Snooper or Dashcam, but remember it doesn't go off with the ignition.)

Interior Lights can be turned on by individual switches on the mirror, or by pulling out the main light switch and will go off immediately when returned. Opening either doors closes a microswitch, that is screwed on the door latch, and provides an earth to put the lights on and when the door is closed the Interior Lamp Delay Module keeps them on for a further 3 seconds (on my late SE) but they'll go off immediately the engine is started in that time.

I think the most likely part to fail first is going to be a micro switch on the door lock and I'd be checking the drivers side, as it gets much more use, before I checked the passenger side. Tom has already had a problem with one. You'll have to remove the door panel to inspect and the microswitch has a 2 wire connector that you can pull out to break the earth connection. If I needed a new microswitch I'd be looking at RS Components online catalogue.

There are also Central Door Locking microswitches and Door Ajar microswitches in each door mechanism so I'd avoid unplugging the whole door harness as all these will stop working too. Removing Fuse A14, as you've done, is the best way to avoid a flat battery as it only feeds the Interior Lights so you haven't affected anything else.

[Rich100000]

Thanks all.... v helpful