Why Dodge Interior Lights Won’t Turn Off (And How To Fix)
Dodge is famous for its interior and exterior styling. Not only is this a unique car brand, but it’s fun to drive and has a history of being built for quality.
Unfortunately, if you’re a Dodge owner, you probably know that Dodge is ranked low in terms of reliability, and many owners have faced numerous issues with their vehicles.
One of the most common issues is the interior lights staying on.
The likely reason Dodge lights won’t turn off is that one of the switches is left on. Most times, interior lights can be turned off by pushing on the light or switching it off at the dimmer knob. There could also be an issue with the light, in which case it will need to be replaced.
Most cars, including Dodge, have interior lights known as dome or courtesy lights. These lights are commonly fitted in the ceiling and are activated by touch.
Occasionally these lights are accidentally pushed and will stay on, but what if they won’t turn off? What can you do to fix this?
Reasons Why Dodge Interior Lights Won’t Turn Off
There are numerous threads discussing interior light issues on a Dodge. Owners have reported issues like interior lights deteriorating, dome lights that have stopped working, wiring problems, and interior lights that won’t turn off.
Multiple switches control the interior lights of any car, including a Dodge. The interior lights work with a control system which is an automated system in most cars. But lights that stay on and won’t switch off can be caused by many things.
Here are the most common reasons why Dodge interior lights won’t turn off:
The Light Has Been Left On Accidentally
Dome lights are installed in the interior ceiling and automatically turn on when the doors are open. However, sometimes you may find these lights are turned on accidentally, and simply pushing them will turn them off again.
In other cases, there is a knob that controls the brightness of these lights, and if you find a dome light is left on even after turning this knob, you can try pushing on it to switch it off.
How to fix this issue:
Push on the dome light to switch it off, or find the dimming knob and turn it down. If you notice the light is still on after the dimmer knob has been turned down, try pushing it on again to turn it off. Follow along with this video to help you troubleshoot this issue.
Wiring Issues
If you’ve tried adjusting the knob and pushing on the lights to turn them off, then you may want to consider the wiring of the lights. Wiring issues may be the cause of your lighting issues. You could get a professional to check the wiring or do it yourself.
How to fix this issue:
You’ll need to trace the wires from each door frame to the dashboard to check the wiring. There will be a point where one section of the wiring will be responsible for operating the lights. Inspect the wires and look for any wear and tear, burnt wires, or damage.
If you notice any damage to the wiring, then new wiring should be installed, which could resolve the interior lighting issues.
Faulty Door Switch
If you find that all the interior lights in your Dodge won’t turn off, then the likely cause is a faulty door switch. Door switches are found inside the doors and are also known as door jamb switches.
When the car door is open, this switch will turn on and then turn off again when you close the door. Likewise, if your lights are working correctly, this switch will turn on and off when you open and close the door; if not, the lights may stay on.
How to fix this issue:
To resolve this issue, the faulty door switch needs to be replaced.
Bulbs Need Replacing
If one or more lights aren’t working, the bulbs may need to be replaced. Also, bulbs will eventually burn out and need to be replaced. It’s simple enough to replace the bulbs yourself, but you can always contact a professional to do it for you.
How to fix this issue:
Replace the interior bulbs.
A Door Is Left Open
Most interior lights are activated when the door is left open. Check all your doors; if one is open, close it and see if the issue is resolved. Sometimes the most likely cause of lights being on is that one of your doors is open.
How to fix this issue:
Check all the doors and make sure they are correctly closed.
How Do You Switch Off The Interior Lights In A Dodge?
There are a couple of ways to switch the interior lights off, depending on the model you have. If you have a Dodge Charger, you can turn the interior dome lights off by flipping the toggle switch on the dome lights.
In the Dodge Journey, you need to rotate the dimmer control switch downwards to turn off the interior lights.
To switch off the interior lights in a Dodge Caravan, press on the lights to switch them off. You can also use the dimmer control switch to turn off the lights.
Most Dodge models will have interior lights that can be switched on and off by pressing on them or using the dimmer switch.
Will Having Interior Lights On In A Dodge Drain The Battery?
If your interior lights are on for short periods, it is unlikely to drain the car’s battery. However, if the interior lights are kept on overnight, it may drain the battery, and you may need to jump-start your Dodge in the morning to get it started again.
Conclusion
There’s usually a simple way to fix Dodge interior lights when they don’t turn off. Most times, you can use the dimmer switch to turn it off. In other instances, you may need to replace the wires or the faulty door switch to resolve the issue.
References:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c1758_ds558145
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-dakota-tech/363740-dome-light-wont-turn-off.html
https://www.lifewire.com/car-interior-lights-not-working-4143242
