1988 Ranger Domelight stays on

[johndough]

I have a 1988 Ranger and there was no bulb in the dome light so I replaced it and it still wasn't working. I checked the fuses and it didn't have a fuse so I put one in and then the light came on but I couldn't get it to turn off with the switch. How can I fix it? In order to turn the dome light I had to take the fuse back out. Any help? Thank you

 

[fastpakr]

Try unplugging the two door switches, one at a time.

 

[johndough]

Try unplugging the two door switches, one at a time.

Will do, thank you for the response. I'll get back to you once I get home and try it.

 

[RobbieD]

^^^ Yes, that, but be careful. On an '88 you should have "positive switching" door pin switches, which means they have a constant +12 volt wire. If a wire terminal touches the body metal when you remove the switch it'll short and (hopefully) pop the dome fuse.

An XLT probably has dome light switches in doth door jambs. The driver side sees more use. Pull the fuse, remove the pin switch and disconnect the wires (don't let them touch ground). Reinstall the fuse, see if the dome light works correctly with headlight switch and the passenger door.

At that point you should be on the right track. Good luck!

 

[johndough]

^^^ Yes, that, but be careful. On an '88 you should have "positive switching" door pin switches, which means they have a constant +12 volt wire. If a wire terminal touches the body metal when you remove the switch it'll short and (hopefully) pop the dome fuse.

An XLT probably has dome light switches in doth door jambs. The driver side sees more use. Pull the fuse, remove the pin switch and disconnect the wires (don't let them touch ground). Reinstall the fuse, see if the dome light works correctly with headlight switch and the passenger door.

At that point you should be on the right track. Good luck!

Yep, I have an XLT. Thank you for all of the advice I really appreciate it and will be getting back to you later with results.

 

[ericbphoto]

^^^ Yes, that, but be careful. On an '88 you should have "positive switching" door pin switches, which means they have a constant +12 volt wire. If a wire terminal touches the body metal when you remove the switch it'll short and (hopefully) pop the dome fuse.

An XLT probably has dome light switches in doth door jambs. The driver side sees more use. Pull the fuse, remove the pin switch and disconnect the wires (don't let them touch ground). Reinstall the fuse, see if the dome light works correctly with headlight switch and the passenger door.

At that point you should be on the right track. Good luck!

Actually, I believe if the wire touches ground, it just turns on the light. That's how those switches used to work. They completed the ground path for the light circuit. So, tape up the wire so it doesn't touch ground.

 

[franklin2]

Actually, I believe if the wire touches ground, it just turns on the light. That's how those switches used to work. They completed the ground path for the light circuit. So, tape up the wire so it doesn't touch ground.

According to this diagram, this one is not wired up like that. They have a lightgreen/yellow 12v wire feeding each switch, and the switch then sends the 12v up to the domelight on a black/lightblue wire. The driver's door switch will have an extra wire, a red/pink. Not sure what that is for, I would assume it's tied into the headlight reminder buzzer or something like that.

 

[RobbieD]

Actually, I believe if the wire touches ground, it just turns on the light. That's how those switches used to work. They completed the ground path for the light circuit. So, tape up the wire so it doesn't touch ground.

You're right, that "most" dome light systems are "negative switching"; or in other words, grounding the pin switch wire grounds the dome light which makes it light.

But older Fords do use the positive switching. Here's the '88 EVTM page:

 

[RobbieD]

The driver's door switch will have an extra wire, a red/pink. Not sure what that is for, I would assume it's tied into the headlight reminder buzzer or something like that.

Yes, that's exactly what red/pink wire does.

It's really odd that I can remember wire colors from installing accessories 30 years ago, but these days having to double check when I get to work to make sure that I remembered to put my pants on before I left the house.

 

[johndough]

Thank you all I appreciate it.