Dead battery: Interior lights won't shut off

[BobK]

Went out to work on the TJ this morning only to find a dead battery. After jumping it and getting it running, I discovered that the interior lights won't turn off. I tried manually holding each door switch to see if it wasn't closing completely but that was a dead end.

Eventually, I had to pull the Accessory fuse to get the lights out. What am I missing? I also examined the turn signal stalk to see if the lights were turned on there, they weren't. What else could it be?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[BobK]

Question: What is it that causes the interior lights to stay on for a few seconds after the doors shut, then slowing fades the lights out? The door switches appear to be working - if I leave the key in the ignition and the drivers door is open, the chime is heard, shut the door and the chime stops.

I can feel the back of the switch in the footwell on the passenger side, but can't figure out how to remove the switch for further testing.

 

[Daryl]

Try turning the dash light dimmer switch. If turned all the way the dome lights will stay on.

 

[Jamison C]

Try turning the dash light dimmer switch. If turned all the way the dome lights will stay on.

I think they incorporated a safety in 2001 where if you accidentally leave the dome lights on they shut off after ten minutes to save the battery. My 2002 does this whenever I stop to eat in the car.

 

[BobK]

Try turning the dash light dimmer switch. If turned all the way the dome lights will stay on.

I have tried that switch in every position it can go, the lights stay on regardless.

I have checked the #4 fuse behind the glovebox, it is good and light stay on with or without it in place.

 

[BobK]

I think they incorporated a safety in 2001 where if you accidentally leave the dome lights on they shut off after ten minutes to save the battery. My 2002 does this whenever I stop to eat in the car.

I accidently left a door open while working on the TJ in my garage a month or two ago and I can confirm that the lights went out and the battery was good the next day.

 

[BobK]

I was able to pop out the passenger side door switch and remove it from the wiring. I tested the switch and it seems to be working. I then tried to close the circuit on the wiring plug by using a piece of wire between the two contacts to see if the lights would go out, they didn't.

 

[BobK]

Status update:

Lights remain on as long as the fuse under the hood for accessories remains in.

Rotating switch on the turn signal stem has been rotated into every possible on/off positions, lights remain on.

I have augmented door switches with two thicknesses of cardboard and duct tape to ensure they are making contact.

I removed fuse #4 behind the glove box and the lights remain on regardless of the position of the rotating light switch on the turn signal stem.

What could be shorted out or broken that is causing the lights to remain on until the battery dies? What is involved in the lights normally remaining on for a few additional seconds after the door closes?

 

[mushdogs]

I’d try disconnecting the main light switch, see if there’s a short in that.

 

[BobK]

by the main light switch you mean the one in the turn signal stalk?

 

[mushdogs]

by the main light switch you mean the one in the turn signal stalk?

Yes, the multi function switch on the signal arm. I’m thinking it’s a short in the dimmer rheostat.

 

[BobK]

I'm sorry that I keep asking, but where is the connection for the multi-function switch?

 

[mushdogs]

I'm sorry that I keep asking, but where is the connection for the multi-function switch?

I’ve got the older style pull switch in my 98, so I’m pretty much guessing from here, but likely it’s under the steering column cover. Or behind the knee blocker under the dash. I’d pull the trim panels and trace it from the arm.

 

[BobK]

I’ve got the older style pull switch in my 98, so I’m pretty much guessing from here, but likely it’s under the steering column cover. Or behind the knee blocker under the dash. I’d pull the trim panels and trace it from the arm.

I jsut watched a video on replacing the multifunction switch and it doesn't look hard. i guess the question is, how do I troubleshoot that before I go out and purchase one. Do you think if I disconnected it, the lights would go out when the door closes?

 

[mushdogs]

I jsut watched a video on replacing the multifunction switch and it doesn't look hard. i guess the question is, how do I troubleshoot that before I go out and purchase one. Do you think if I disconnected it, the lights would go out when the door closes?

Yes; if that is where the short/failure lies, the cabin lights should turn off when you close the doors.

 

[BobK]

Yes; if that is where the short/failure lies, the cabin lights should turn off when you close the doors.

No bueno. I just removed the multi function switch and re-inserted the fuse from under the hood and the roof lights remained on.

 

[mushdogs]

Dang. Okay. Well you know now that the problem is somewhere between the accessory fuse and the lights. You’ve eliminated the multifunction, door switches and #4. I’d start at the fuse block and begin tracing wiring, looking for chafes and breaks. Keeping an eye as you move each section of harness and checking each plug if the lights suddenly turn off. Tedious, but you’ve pretty much eliminated the easy stuff.

 

[BobK]

Jerry suggested I disconnect the battery for a few minutes to reset the PCM. Which I will do after dinner. If not that, then your plan is next up.

 

[Wrangler6969]

I have tried that switch in every position it can go, the lights stay on regardless.

I have checked the #4 fuse behind the glovebox, it is good and light stay on with or without it in place.

Mine did the same until I recycled the key and restarted the Jeep. After that it would only stay on for a very short time then go off with the #4 fuse out

 

[mushdogs]

Jerry suggested I disconnect the battery for a few minutes to reset the PCM. Which I will do after dinner. If not that, then your plan is next up.

Jerry is a much wiser man than I, LOL.
I often forget that sometimes our computer overlords just need a Raytheon Reset.