Question
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Followup To
Question -
Ok, 97 crew cab Chevy. There are two dome light assemblies (center big light w/ an independantly operated map light on each side). One assy is above the front seat, the other is above the rear seats.
I thought I had a burnt out main bulb in the front one. I replaced the main bulb in both assys w/ an LED replacement. Rear light assy works correctly. Front assy stays on dimly all the time. It will not come on full via door or dash switch. It will only come on full when the button for one of the map lights is pushed. Any ideas? I know LEDs can cause some issues due to low current draw, but this seemed a pretty straighforward application. Could it be something w/ the courtesy timer? or a crossed wire?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Answer -
Whew!
Finally, an easy question.
Sorry, been racking my brain all night.
Check your ground in the main light. They are hooked up in a series circuit. When the rear light is illuminated, it closes the circuit and provides a stable ground for the main light, however, when the circuit is open (rear lights off) the ground is no longer available to the main light.
Try pressing up on the lights base and slightly turning left to right to create a stable ground.
Thanks for the speedy reply. But..., if it were not grounding, would it stay dimly lit all the time(doors closed, switches open)? Also, the front map lights do not work at all(as far as the front map lights are concerned). But when you press one of the map light buttons, the main bulb lights up bright(all of this is on the front assy)
Answero.k., have you done any electrical work in the least bit to the vehicle? Radios, lights, speakers requiring a ground?
It sounds like you might have a short to power. Most people have never heard of this term but it is rare that somwhere along the lines (maybe your front map lights) are supplying power to the power wire at all times. Now the same holds true to the ground wire of the lights,meaning, if power is being introduced at the ground the results will be the same. Check to see if the ground for the lights are being shared with another ground.If yes, remove the other ground and refasten the light ground.
