cavalier flashing dome light

[Daniel]

I’m not the best with electrical issues.
I have a 2003 cavalier. When driving, the interior light will flash on periodically. I have tried to recreate the symptom with no luck. It seems to happen most often when driving over bumps.
With the car running and in drive, I’ve tried tapping the dimmer switch, hitting the doors (around the switch area), hitting the trunk lid, and pushing down on the vehicle.
I’ve checked the ins and outs on all the switches, and they ALL checked out. Since its an intermittent issue, it could still be a bad switch.
My gut is telling me it’s the dimmer switch.
What do you guys think?

Topic

[Andrew Phillips]

I think it could be a weak spring in one of the jamb switches. When the door closes it doesn’t depress the switch all the way, so if the spring has weakened it could be bouncing just enough to make contact. Also, don’t forget to check the switch for the trunk lid as it could also provide an alternate path to ground for the dome light. Ensure there isn’t any chafed wiring insulation on the jamb switches that could be shorting to the body. While nothing is impossible, I doubt it is the dimmer switch.

[Lee Ann]

[quote=”thisisbuod” post=139199]I’m not the best with electrical issues.
I have a 2003 cavalier. When driving, the interior light will flash on periodically. I have tried to recreate the symptom with no luck. It seems to happen most often when driving over bumps.
With the car running and in drive, I’ve tried tapping the dimmer switch, hitting the doors (around the switch area), hitting the trunk lid, and pushing down on the vehicle.
I’ve checked the ins and outs on all the switches, and they ALL checked out. Since its an intermittent issue, it could still be a bad switch.
My gut is telling me it’s the dimmer switch.
What do you guys think?[/quote]

Sounds like a loose connection.
Access to a wiring diagram might be helpful for locating which connecters to check. Over time, the connector vibrates so much (imagine the lifetime of bumps that are traveled over in a vehicle’s lifetime) that the terminal can back out of connector just enough to cause an intermittent issue such as yours. However, it could also be a defective bulb.

[Daniel]

I used a wiring diagram already; and all connections look good and felt tight. I don’t think it’s a detective bulb because the light flashes on while driving (when it should stay off). Sorry. I should have been more clear about the symptoms.

[Mike]

Does your dome light have an integral “mode” selector switch, with settings like On, Off, and Door? It might be the switch.

For the price of a salvage yard part, could try replacing the dome light/switch assembly.

[Andrew Phillips]

You might try jiggling the key in the ignition switch to see if that can reproduce the symptom. A lot of GM cars in this date range had faulty ignition switches (you may also want to check to see if this vehicle qualifies for the recall repair on the ignition switch, even if it isn’t related to this issue).

[Daniel]

[quote=”Evil-i” post=139212]Does your dome light have an integral “mode” selector switch, with settings like On, Off, and Door? It might be the switch.

For the price of a salvage yard part, could try replacing the dome light/switch assembly.[/quote]

It does. I was kinda thinking the same thing.

[Daniel]

[quote=”cap269″ post=139213]You might try jiggling the key in the ignition switch to see if that can reproduce the symptom. A lot of GM cars in this date range had faulty ignition switches (you may also want to check to see if this vehicle qualifies for the recall repair on the ignition switch, even if it isn’t related to this issue).[/quote]

Ignition switch doesn’t affect it. I checked for a recall and don’t see anything that this car qualifies for. I’ll try giving the dealer a call tomorrow though.thanks.

[Mike]

Here’s how to fix it:

1. Remove dome bulb.
2. Dispose of Cavalier.
3. Obtain another vehicle.
4. Install dome bulb.

Just kidding. Couldn’t resist. Hope it’s a quick and inexpensive fix.

[Daniel]

[quote=”Evil-i” post=139230]Here’s how to fix it:

1. Remove dome bulb.
2. Dispose of Cavalier.
3. Obtain another vehicle.
4. Install dome bulb.

Just kidding. Couldn’t resist. Hope it’s a quick and inexpensive fix.[/quote]

You are a rascal. Lol.
I agree it’s not much to look at, but it’s efficient, reliable, and easy to work on. That’s all I care about. It’s probably the best vehicle to come out of GM. I’m not a big fan of American cars.
I’m gonna replace the switch and post the results.

[Author]

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