Dome light switch question

[Just_Randy]

Last fall after reading on here about all the problems with the door switches not working, I decided to just disable mine so the truck ALWAYS thinks the doors are closed. I figure I can turn on the light when I need it with the rolling-knob to the left of the steering wheel.

The problem is, after a few minutes of having the key out the switch won't work anymore to turn the light on. I have to insert the key and wiggle it for the switch to work. Even if I left the key in the ignition, I would still have to lightly tap the key before the switch would work again. Anyone know how I can get around this? I think there is some timer somewhere that cuts power incase you leave the lights on. I need to get around the timer. Thanks.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Newer trucks do have a timer built in, IIRC the one in my ranger gives me around 5 minutes or so before I hear the thing click and out go the lights until you open a door or wiggle the key unless you have the ignition on. I suspect it's hidden in the dash somewhere because I can hear it click when sitting in the cab and that's the general location the sound seems to come from.

I put a bypass switch in my choptop for the dome light so that I can open the doors and not have the light burn indefinitely, a big plus when you're working on an older truck since they don't have the timers and can drain a battery that way. I've been considering putting a switch in my Ranger to do more or less the same thing but haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Did you put a switch in or just unplug the door contact pins?

I can't believe I didn't consider that timer either... I'll have to go looking for it this week unless someone gets the answer up sooner.

 

[Just_Randy]

Its been since last fall, but I'm pretty sure I just disconnected the door switches. Some people were saying they sprayed wd40 or whatever on them and they worked again, but I wasn't going down that road. I just unhooked them.... I'm fairly sure.

I was wondering if I just run a constant hot wire to the dome light switch and disconnect the hot wire that runs on the timer. That way I get a dome light whenever and for however long I want.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Its been since last fall, but I'm pretty sure I just disconnected the door switches. Some people were saying they sprayed wd40 or whatever on them and they worked again, but I wasn't going down that road. I just unhooked them.... I'm fairly sure.

I was wondering if I just run a constant hot wire to the dome light switch and disconnect the hot wire that runs on the timer. That way I get a dome light whenever and for however long I want.

I'd hesitate on running it to the dome light switch, I'd probably put in a separate switch just to make sure it wouldn't screw up the dash lights or anything. If you do run a constant hot, make sure it's fused.