1998 Ranger XLT dome light issue

[Kentone]

Hello all....
New member and Ranger owner. Just purchased my first Ranger three months ago. It's a 1998 XLT RWD 4.0L and am having an issue with the dome/cargo light. After the truck has sat for some time, the light will not come on either when the doors are opened or with the roller switch. When the engine is running (and for a short while afterward), all the lights work as they should. I have changed the battery saver relay behind the glove compartment, but nothing changed.

Interesting side note, on a warm day, the lights will occasionally work when the door is opened after sitting all day

Does this truck have a dedicated interior light relay? Rock Auto lists a part for it, but I can not find it anywhere on the truck. It is not under the drivers side dash anywhere. I see that other Rangers have an Auxiliary Relay Box but have not been able to find a location for one on this one.

That may just leave the GEM module, which I am not enthusiastic about changing.

I appreciate any light you folks can shed on this little dilemma.

 

[pjtoledo]

check the ground screw at the light, loosen & tighten it. check for volts there when the light should be on.

 

[Dirtman]

There's no relay for the dome light. Just a fuse. But judging by how it only works when voltage would be peaked (at first startup) I'd say you're getting voltage drop from a corroded ground or connection.

 

[Kentone]

Good morning all....

Last night I took out the dome light and screwed/unscrewed the screws a couple of times in the connectors and the ground. I checked the voltage at both the map light screw and the entry light screw. Both were dead. I started the truck and checked again. and got approx 12.45 volts at both terminals.

I turned off the engine and checked again and continued to get the same voltage at both terminals. I hooked up clip leads to the map light screw and left the multi-meter on. For two hours it kept a constant 12.49 - 12.50 volts at that terminal (at least I don't have a power drain!). I would occasionally open the door and check the entry light lead and it worked as it should, reading 0.00 with the door closed and approx 12.46 with it open.

At about 1am , I went to bed with everything working fine.

This morning, both terminals are dead. I rechecked with the key in the "on" position and in the "acc" position and got nothing. I'm not sure at what time during the night it decided to give up the ghost.

That's where I am. This is the only electrical gremlin my little truckster has.

I was hoping that there was a dedicated interior lamp relay that may be the culprit. Fuse 26 lists an interior lamp relay as one of the things it controls, but i realize how generic those manuals can be.

Thanks so far everyone!!

 

[Uncle Gump]

Does it have a GEM?

Seems like the thing is going into battery run down protection.

 

[Kentone]

It does have a GEM. My gut tells me that that's what it is.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would think your gut is probably correct.

 

[Ranger Mark]

Not sure on the 98 but on the 96 the dome and cargo share at the light switch. Check there before replacing the GEM. Maybe the cargo connection is bad.