Problem on both dome lights

[limas]

Hi,

i have a problem with my dome lights on my E30 2-door 318is. When i open both the driver's and passenger's door, the lights do not turn on. Although, the bulbs are working as i checked them. When i move the black switch to the position ON, each bulb glows.

I checked fuses. Everything is fine.

I am thinking of both black buttons which are pressed when the door is closed and unpressed when the door is open.

Any help?

Thank you in advance.

Mike

[vpilarrt]

Could very well be the door switches (black buttons), they tend to get corroded. Remove the Philips head screw and clean the rust off the contact points.

[limas]

Could very well be the door switches (black buttons), they tend to get corroded. Remove the Philips head screw and clean the rust off the contact points.

Thank you!

According to your post, could you please tell me what is exactly the Philips head screw? Do you mean to remove the black door switches?

[vpilarrt]

Yes

[jlevie]

It could be the door switches, or it could be the timer module in the left side side panel.

[george graves]

The switches are little black nubs on the door jam(car side, not door side). They should move in and out about 1/4 of an inch (6-7mm). If they don't then are rusted/frozen so pull them out and clean them up.

If that's not the problem you have a bad module - most likely. I sell a replacement that add movie theatre style slow dimming to the lights, and it's cheaper then a new OEM replacement.

interior light delay with auto dimming: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...=287357&page=2

[limas]

Thank you for your answers.

Firstly, i will check the rub buttons and clean them.

Can anyone post a photo of that module? Where can i find it on the car?

[AndrewBird]

The module is inside the kick panel on the drivers side behind the speaker.

[limas]

The module is inside the kick panel on the drivers side behind the speaker.

Ok thank you for your post. I will check it and inform.

[imwhyteyo]

It could also be a bad grounding wire in the mix. This was my issue. Start at the rubber push pins and clean the contacts. Note that they are a purple wire with a brown stripe iirc. Then check that your timer relay box works and the contact there are also clean. Test for voltage at that point. If still nothing pull up the wiring loom on the drivers side door sill, follow it to where it starts to lead up the b pillar (towards the drivers side dome). On the floor, in this wiring mess you will see a rubber capped connection of multiple ground wires with your purple wires all crimped together, make sure this is crimped tight and not corroded. Mine was? I cut and cleaned them.. reprimand and capped them and all went back to normal. Clean up any other ground points along the way. Age tends to mess with these things.