jimbofish

The interior light over the right rear door recently started staying on after the other interior lights have gone off. It does automatically time out after 10 minutes of no activity, so it's not draining the battery. It's always on when the vehicle is running... annoying at night.
I've read lots of issues about interior lights staying on, but none about just one lamp staying on. I can't figure why it would be just the one. Everything else on the vehicle works normally. Any ideas about what's significant to just that one door light?

dave1123

Press on the lens and it should shut off, then work normally with the doors. All the overhead interior lights have a manual on feature, even the cargo area light.

jimbofish

Yeah, I'm an idiot! 12 yrs I've had this vehicle and never knew there was a switch in the lens for the rear doors. I did know the cargo light had one because I've had reason to use it, but I've never sat in the back seat to need it
It must have gotten bumped accidentally last week when we were loading some chairs through that door. Thanks.

dave1123

No problem, sometimes it just takes a fresh pair on eyes. Besides, how many owners have ever ridden in the back seat of their own vehicle with someone else driving?

jimbofish

I accidentally discovered the switch before I saw your answer. I was trying to remove the lens to get the bulb out when I heard it click and a light bulb came on in my head as the bulb in the lens went out! DOH!
I just couldn't figure the logic of how one bulb could work independently of the others in the circuit... unless there was a switch!

In the process of troubleshooting, I tried to check the door switch and didn't find one in the expected location on the door hinge post. Is it inside the door?

dave1123

Actually, it's inside the latch mechanism and not a replaceable part. The only ones that ARE replaceable are the rear hatch switches. They are mounted with a screw on the back side of the latches.

BTW, lubrication of those door latches is IMPORTANT! I just went thru replacing BOTH my rear door latches because of rust. The problem is there is not a good way to get oil into them except by soaking them with a spray into the child guard switch opening and hoping you got the linkage. WD40 isn't much good because it eventually evaporates. PB Blaster seems to last longer. While I had the latches out, I lubed them with Hoppe's gun oil. The latch bodies are plastic, but all the linkage is stamped steel and subject to rust. I got my new ones from the junkyard and cleaned and lubed them real good. I think the dealer wants like $150 each.