Courtesy Light Dramas

[onotoman]

Hi team,

Just wanted to find out if the community has any ideas on an issue I'm having with some door switches in my 1993 KZJ78

A month or two ago, the right rear door switch stopped working (not illuminating the two courtesy lights inside the vehicle when the door is opened). I ordered a new door switch and fitted it. Still no joy.

I have since noticed that the switch in the rear barn doors has also stopped working. All other three door switches work fine.

I've already replaced the front one of the two courtesy lights (due to a broken bulb holder). I'm wondering if maybe the rear of the two lights works with the doors where the switches are not working - should I also replace this light?

I've checked the fuse etc.

Any ideas appreciated.

 

[SteveJB]

Be on the lookout For Beautiful Red Caterpillar invasion of New Zealand beaches

 

[Shayne]

Have you looked under the bonnet for a 10amp Dome fuse . I fried the fusible link in my ciggy lighter socket using a tyre inflator (which now has gator grips so it can be connected direct to battery) and it took courtesy lights out with it .

 

[onotoman]

Thanks Shayne,
The fuse box for the KZJ78 is in the side of the drivers side footwell. I found a 7.5 amp fuse for the Dome lights and this is fine - the other 3 doors work fine too, so it must be something else. Only the right rear passenger door and barn doors not activating the dome lights.

 

[Tractionman]

Stating the obvious here, but have you actually checked you have power to the door switches or lights that dont work - or even the lights are in the on position ?

 

[onotoman]

The other 3 door switches work fine, illuminate both interior lights, I've changed the door switch for the door not working. Fuse is also fine, even changed one of the interior lights, just to make sure. Still no joy. No power to the offending door switch or the rear barn door, but stumped as to why.

 

[Shayne]

Then its a break in the wire between switch and fuse box .

I hate wiring so i'd likely just run a wire from a working switch to the dead one trusting the wires from switch to light are good .

 

[onotoman]

I'm thinking the same. I'll probably run a test wire from the other working rear door to the non working one, if it works, I'll then route it probably to that one and the barn door.

 

[Shayne]

Never know you might blindly stumble on the fault while doing it ,keep us informed either way

 

[onotoman]

Hi all,
So as Shayne suggested, I went down the route of running new cables to the offending right rear door and barn door. Used the left rear door and ran a cable under carpets and trim to the right rear. The barn door was a bit trickier as it has 2 wires rather than one. With the help of a test bulb, I found the correct wire to power and joined in a new cable from left rear door switch. All working fine now.

Thanks for the idea Shayne, sometimes a different approach is all that's needed, rather than trying to diagnose where the original break was.

 

[Shayne]

Good for you , I'm almost hesitant to say it occurs to me this morning that its probably an earth/ground fault .