Weird problem with dome lighting..

[mtpktz.]

When I open the rear doors and the trunk - the domelight lights the car very well. However, when I open the driver or passenger side doors, the car is VERY faintly lit by the dome light.

Is there something I'm missing?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

There are two dome lights in 4runners, as I'm sure your aware of. I believe the rear one is solely for the rear hatch and the middle one is for both of the sets of doors. Is the light brighter when you open the passenger door vs the driver's door or vis versa?

 

[Pete325Is]

its most likely the switches on the door pillars that are wearing out .. try to jiggle them around when the door is open to see if it helps.. if the light goes bright when you are doing it.. replace the switches... you need a 10mm wrench. i think



.

 

[mtpktz.]

When I open the rear doors and the trunk - the domelight lights the car very well. However, when I open the driver or passenger side doors, the car is VERY faintly lit by the dome light.

Is there something I'm missing?

In fact it is. The passenger side is bright (as it should be) and the drivers side is VERY dim. You can barely tell a light is on.

 

[toytech76]

I agree with a bad/poorly grounded door switch

 

[mtpktz.]

I agree with a bad/poorly grounded door switch

Does anybody have a picture or guide to where these switches are or how to replace them?

 

[Pete325Is]

open the door and look on the door pillar below the latch. its covered in a black rubber..

press it in.. the light shuts off.. they wear out over time.. 10mm wrench to take it out.. just pull the black rubber off and you expose the bolt. you can either go to the dealership, or go to the auto wreckers and take a bunch and have some spares .

 

[Pete325Is]

photo... different truck, but you get the idea...

 

[mtpktz.]

photo... different truck, but you get the idea...

Cool. Thank you. I'll take a look at it.

 

[mtpktz.]

Thanks again for all the help.

Unfortunately I haven't had time to get to the dealer to get the part, but how exactly do you remove the wire from the mechanism?

 

[Stick Figure]

wire is plugged in behind the plastic trim from the inside.

 

[mtpktz.]

wire is plugged in behind the plastic trim from the inside.

Yeah, I saw that but wasn't sure if it was safe to just pull it out. Thanks

 

[mtpktz.]

I've noticed since I pushed that button, if I have my headlights on and the door open (no key in the ignition) it normally gives you that noise to let you know you left your lights on. Well now, it doesn't do that.

I've learned that pushing that button is the sensor to tell the car whether the door is open/closed. So I assume that I some how have the car thinking the drivers' door is always closed.

What can I do to go about fixing this?