I'm having problems with the front interior light (between the map reading lights) on my 54 reg 2.0 diesel saloon. It only works intermittently when the doors are opened. Also, it works intermittently when the lights are switched to always on. I haven't been able to find any info on how to remove the unit to check for loose connections, busted switch etc, and don't want to break it trying, because replacement unit is £ouch!
Any help will be gratefully recieved
Exile
Interior lights
Moderators:Dave Eynon, steveisleofwight
Re: Interior lights
I can`t help with how to dismantle the unit but I had amongst several other problems at Weston Park, a similar issue with roof console light switches and interior lights on my S-type.
To crown my day with J44 having a spoof overheat condition, the battery discharged and I needed a jump start.
Once on the M40 on the way home, a courtesy light on the roof console lit up. I was travelling with all doors shut so discounted door switch malfunction. A frantic session pushing the light switch on the passenger side on and off failed to put the light out. In frustration I clobbered the console with my fist and the light went out. Several miles further on, the same scenario occurred on the drivers side. This time switch working eventually put the light out. So far, so good.
Upon arrival back at base camp, I locked the car ensuring the courtesy lights timed out and indeed went out. To my relief that occurred and has been the case over the last four days. Problem cured, I hope.
My thoughts are that the switches tend to stick either on or off due to lack of use. I wonder when any of us last used those switches to illuminate the interior of the car. We tend to get into the car, shut the doors and start up which automatically fades the lights out and we drive away thinking no more about the interior lighting. Only when we sit in the car to perhaps read a map or do some other task would we make use of the switches. It may even be that those switches may go unused for years and therefore be liable to internal sticking.
My suggestion would be to exercise the switches on and off to ensure they do in fact operate correctly. However all the above having been said, you may simply have a corrosion hot spot between the lamp itself and the lamp holder. Cleaning the contacts between the lamp and the holder may cure the problem or indeed a similar technical tap as I administered to my car may help! Otherwise as you say, some dismantling may be required. That is when the fun starts because getting these units apart on occasions can be something of a black art.
That`s the best advice I can offer. I hope someone else may be able to help you get the console apart and regret this is outside my scope of experience.
Mike K
To crown my day with J44 having a spoof overheat condition, the battery discharged and I needed a jump start.
Once on the M40 on the way home, a courtesy light on the roof console lit up. I was travelling with all doors shut so discounted door switch malfunction. A frantic session pushing the light switch on the passenger side on and off failed to put the light out. In frustration I clobbered the console with my fist and the light went out. Several miles further on, the same scenario occurred on the drivers side. This time switch working eventually put the light out. So far, so good.
Upon arrival back at base camp, I locked the car ensuring the courtesy lights timed out and indeed went out. To my relief that occurred and has been the case over the last four days. Problem cured, I hope.
My thoughts are that the switches tend to stick either on or off due to lack of use. I wonder when any of us last used those switches to illuminate the interior of the car. We tend to get into the car, shut the doors and start up which automatically fades the lights out and we drive away thinking no more about the interior lighting. Only when we sit in the car to perhaps read a map or do some other task would we make use of the switches. It may even be that those switches may go unused for years and therefore be liable to internal sticking.
My suggestion would be to exercise the switches on and off to ensure they do in fact operate correctly. However all the above having been said, you may simply have a corrosion hot spot between the lamp itself and the lamp holder. Cleaning the contacts between the lamp and the holder may cure the problem or indeed a similar technical tap as I administered to my car may help! Otherwise as you say, some dismantling may be required. That is when the fun starts because getting these units apart on occasions can be something of a black art.
That`s the best advice I can offer. I hope someone else may be able to help you get the console apart and regret this is outside my scope of experience.
Mike K
X350 Co-ordinator
2004 XJR
2004 XJR
Re: Interior lights
Hello All
Think I,ve got to the bottom of this one.
Following the advice to check switch operation, I found that the pushbutton switch for the front interior light sticks in no mans land, not on or off. This prevents the light from operating when the doors are opened. The solution is to operate the switch several dozen times, at first it feels to be operating but in fact isn,t. With repeated operation I suddenly got an interior light that once again works properly. My guess is that the fault was caused by lack of use.
Hope this helps anyone experiencing a similar problem.
Exile
Think I,ve got to the bottom of this one.
Following the advice to check switch operation, I found that the pushbutton switch for the front interior light sticks in no mans land, not on or off. This prevents the light from operating when the doors are opened. The solution is to operate the switch several dozen times, at first it feels to be operating but in fact isn,t. With repeated operation I suddenly got an interior light that once again works properly. My guess is that the fault was caused by lack of use.
Hope this helps anyone experiencing a similar problem.
Exile
Re: Interior lights
So a common problem then with these switches.
Something else learned.
Mike
Something else learned.
Mike
X350 Co-ordinator
2004 XJR
2004 XJR
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