Lately, I've been trying to figure out a dome light problem I've been having and eventually took this off to check for a bad ground:



I never unplugged anything. I've put the 10mm bolt back on and secured it back onto the door jam. One weird thing I noticed is now that when I leave my headlights on with the door open, usually it makes that noise to notify you've left your lights on, well now it doesn't do it.

This is the only thing I've noticed, but there could be more. What did I do?

 

dome switches die all the time. new ones are less than $20 from the dealer.

 

Unfortunately, the dome switch isn't bad because it lights up brightly whenever any door with the exception of the drivers' door is opened, hence why I was looking for a bad ground.

Now I have two problems to deal with, unfortunately.

 

It sounds like the door switch is stuck to "door closed" mode since the light does not come on nor does the buzzer sound. Does the door light in the cluster come on?
Have you removed the interior trim to get at the wiring?

 

No, I haven't. Does pushing that button change 'door open' to 'door close'? Because what you said makes a lot of sense, and I pushed it several times.

 

That button is what senses the position of the door. Go and try a passenger door and you will see that when you press that button, goes light off and dash light off. When it is not pressed, dome on and dash light on.

 

I see. Thank you for the information.

 

What vehicle is this for?

 

I guess I should've specified that its a '96 4Runner SR5.

 

I went out this morning and pushed the button again in hopes it would be that simple and nothing changed. Any ideas on how to go about tackling this?

 

first look for a bad fuse/fusible link!

Repair!
First thing you need to do is decide weather or not you are in to buying a new switch!

If you want to try to repair this switch, it is either a contact or disconnect switch.
either way the repair is about the same.
first you check the connections at the back of the switch. I would pull the switch and pull the plugs"hint if when you pull the plugs the lights come on it is a disconnect switch!", dielectric grease them after cleaning them and plug them back in.
If this does not fix the problem then you can disassemble the switch!
Be careful as there is most likely a spring inside that may fly!
Clean the contacts use a light bit if dielectric on the contacts and reassemble!
plug in to vehicle and actuate the switch to ensure proper working order!

 

Thanks for the advice Eddie. I'm going to go take a look at the plug again and hope I can figure it out, but I don't mind buying a new plug as I've heard they are <$20.

Does somebody happen to know the part # of the plug?

 

No nothing was going to change. It is something with your switch, so open up the interior panel and first inspect all the wriring and etc.
The switch part number should be 84231-12080
Electrical - Chassis electrical - Switches - Door jamb switch
Door jamb switch, 4-runner 1996 - 2002
You should cross check the number to ensure we are talking the same part

 

Thanks for the part #. I never had a problem with the 'headlights are still on' notification noise until yesterday, just the dome light being extremely dim when I opened the driver's side of the truck. I didn't unplug anything, so I'm still unsure what has happened.

I'm sorry I'm not familiar with what the interior panel is or how to open it up.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

So, you do have light on the dome then when opening the drivers side? I thought you had no light. I must have misinterpreted that. Open it up and check the wiring first, might still be a ground or misc.
Take off the door sills, front and back. Then pop off the bottom part of the pillar trim.

 

Well I did, It doesn't light at all anymore after yesterday, nor does the 'your headlights are on' when your door is open notification.

I'll give what you've said a shot. Thanks again!

 

Is the pillar trim just held in via clips that just pop off? How many are there?

I just want to be careful not to break anything. Thanks again!

 

same thing happened to me. you just need a new door jamb switch. i got a couple on my parts truck. $10 shipped. PM me if you want it

 

What happened to you? What symptoms did your truck have? The dome light thing or the door acting in 'closed' mode?

If a new door jamb switch is really what I need, I'll be picking one up from you but I'd like to verify that is actually what I need before I start replacing things.

 

my dome light would not go on when i opened the drivers door and on the 99-02's when you open the door with the igniton off, the lights automatically turn off. it would not turn them off anymore