Dome lights

[MrBob]

None of my dome lights illuminate, though the map lights do. I found out why when I pulled the covers and found that the bulbs are gone. This suggests that the PO had a problem with them. I'd like to replace them and figure out what's going on but can't find the sizes or part numbers for the bulbs.
Repeat - this is for the dome lights, and not the map lights.

[97cargocrawler]

Some people just don't like to light up the entire van when they turn on the interior lights. Especially if its a passenger van with scantily clad ladies in back. So there's not necessarily a problem with the fixtures...

[RECox286]

Any LAPS will be able to direct you to the proper bulb. If you have a 12v (light bulb) style tester you can find out if

you have 12v at one side of the dome light sockets. They are wired hot, and the switches control ground.

Uncle Bob

[safariking]

the dome light is what they call a festoon bulb here are a few different types they are 41mm led festoons if you want a really bright dome light or you can use a regular festoon bulb similar to the one on the far left

[redfury]

Are you sure the dome overide button hasn't been pressed? It's next to the light switch. Might be that simple?

[Sailing_Faith]

Are you sure the dome overide button hasn't been pressed? It's next to the light switch. Might be that simple?

The OP said;

"I found out why when I pulled the covers and found that the bulbs are gone."

What I suspect he will find is that when he puts the bulbs in, that one of the door switches have gone bad. The dome lights were not turning off, so the prior owner removed them to keep the batter from going dead.

It may be something as simple as the dimmer switch being turned all the way to the "on" position too.

Good luck!

[Sailing_Faith]

the dome light is what they call a festoon bulb here are a few different types they are 41mm led festoons if you want a really bright dome light or you can use a regular festoon bulb similar to the one on the far left

IMG-20131016-00022.jpg

Excellent suggestion, note that festoon bulbs come in various wattages. I doubt the dome lights are bigger then 5w....

Another advantage of using the led bulbs pictured here is that if the problem is intermittent you are less likely to be left with a dead battery if it happens again.


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On edit,

Oh yea, and IF you use regular bulbs, make SURE you grab any that stay on with something over your fingers... Those suckers get HOT when they are on for a minute or two! You will have lightbulb tattoos on your fingertips otherwise!

Good luck!

[MrBob]

Are you sure the dome overide button hasn't been pressed? It's next to the light switch. Might be that simple?

The OP said;

"I found out why when I pulled the covers and found that the bulbs are gone."

What I suspect he will find is that when he puts the bulbs in, that one of the door switches have gone bad. The dome lights were not turning off, so the prior owner removed them to keep the batter from going dead.

Made a superficial inspection today and it looks like the sliding door switch got smacked pretty hard at some point. The plunger stays plunged. That's easy enough to bypass or fix, if that's the problem, once I try some bulbs.