Interior Lights don't work when driver's side door is opened

[Yesterday's Danish]

I just bought an 89 comanche and it has this problem. I just replaced the crappy factory lights. The lights work from the passenger door. I pulled out the door jamb switch and disconnected the wires and connected them together and still no dice. So it can't be the switch then right? Am I missing something? Thanks.

[maddzz1]

Sometimes the wires break. Pull that plastic thing the wires run thru that gets them from the kick panel into the door and see if any of the wires are broken

[Eagle]

I just bought an 89 comanche and it has this problem. I just replaced the crappy factory lights. The lights work from the passenger door. I pulled out the door jamb switch and disconnected the wires and connected them together and still no dice. So it can't be the switch then right? Am I missing something? Thanks.

Yeah, you are missing a wiring diagram.

 

The two wires do not complete a circuit. The lights are always "hot," and the door post switch completes the circuit to ground when the door opens. I don't remember why, but the driver's side door has a second wire for an additional circuit -- maybe a warning chime? Dunno -- try touching each wire to a bare spot on the door post -- like the edge of the hole for the switch.

 

Most likely you just need a new switch.

[Yesterday's Danish]

I just bought an 89 comanche and it has this problem. I just replaced the crappy factory lights. The lights work from the passenger door. I pulled out the door jamb switch and disconnected the wires and connected them together and still no dice. So it can't be the switch then right? Am I missing something? Thanks.

Yeah, you are missing a wiring diagram.

 

The two wires do not complete a circuit. The lights are always "hot," and the door post switch completes the circuit to ground when the door opens. I don't remember why, but the driver's side door has a second wire for an additional circuit -- maybe a warning chime? Dunno -- try touching each wire to a bare spot on the door post -- like the edge of the hole for the switch.

 

Most likely you just need a new switch.

 

Yep you are right. I touched one of the wires to the edge of the hole for the switch and the lights came on. :doh:

 

Thanks again!