dome and external parking light stay on

[BasicPension6]

Has anyone else experienced this? I've been having issues with my "open door" light staying on in my 2003 Ford Ranger because the doors wouldn't close all the way, which turned the dome light on in turn. I sprayed the door connections well with WD 40 and haven't had much issue since. Then last week, with no "open door" warning on the dash, my dome light just won't turn out. for days. I was camping so I disconnected the battery, then removed the lightbulbs the next day until I could think of something better. THEN the parking light turns on and hasn't gone out since. I am unplugging the battery every time I park now and my cap is in the way so I haven't removed those bulbs. This is not the external brake light, but the two white lights on either side. Looks like it could be a fuse but I don't have much wiring experience. Help.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would say something is shorted.

I would have a look at the headlamp switch and connections.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Just a heads up, not trying to be insulting if you already know this
The Dimmer wheel on the dash(dims dash lights) has a switch inside it that will turn on the dome and cargo lights if you rotate the wheel all the way up, you will feel it "click" and dome light will come on, also cargo light(the two white lights on the 3rd brake light)


As for the Park lights, could be a few things, assuming main light switch is off
The Main light switch can short internally

In the engine bay fuse box pull out fuse 33, 15amp, that powers the Park lights, see if they are off, if so then main light switch is most likely the issue

If they are still on then Park lights are getting 12volt from another circuit(fuse) so a short
Its tedious work but you will need to pull 1 fuse at a time in engine bay and cab fuse box to find the one that shorted to a Parking light wire, that will give you an idea of where the short might be

If you have Keyless entry(Fobs) it can flash the Park lights, so it could power the Park lights full time if it has a problem, Fuse 8 in engine bay fuse box

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I pulled the bulb and stuck a clip on flashlight on the driver side visor.

 

[BasicPension6]

Thanks to all - Dimmer wheel indeed. I am not at all insulted, was hoping for the simplest solution and got it. I'll leave the dome light bulbs pulled though...

Thanks again!