General Motors produced a Jimmy SUV model from 1983 to 2005, based on the popular S-10 truck series. The dome lighting became more complex as the model evolved, and by 2005 a computer controlled many interior lighting functions. The average backyard mechanic can troubleshoot the dome lights on a Jimmy in about 20 minutes.
Check the fuse at the driver's side fuse panel. There is a red 10 amp (or higher) mini-fuse located to the left of the driver, in the dash panel fuse box between the door and the dash board. The plate comes off with a counter-clockwise turn on the finger screw, then about twenty fuses are exposed. Fuse panels changed over the model years, but the correct fuse to check is labeled "CTSY LP" or similar. Replace if blown, but be aware that it blew for a reason and might not last.
Check the switches on the dash board. The simple action of turning the dome lights off or pushing the "dome override" button could disable the interior lights. Pressing the button once will toggle the lights on and off; pressing the button in twice will turn on the headlights and exterior lights.
Check the bulbs. Several bulbs failing simultaneously is rare, but possible. There would need to be a massive surge or extreme conditions to blow them all, but the fix is easy: replace the burned-out bulbs.
Check the secondary fuse block for burned-out fuses. This second bank of fuses is under the hood, to the right of the intake and in front of the master cylinder. Its top comes off by turning the finger screw counterclockwise. Large voltage fuses and redundant smaller fuses could have blown here, affecting the interior lighting system. Check and replace any blown fuses.
Test the wires from the interior fuse panel to the bulbs with the circuit tester. Replacing burned-out wiring is difficult, but could cut power to interior bulbs.
