1997 Ford Ranger Interior lighting Problems

“Dome light stays on, and the door ajar light comes on intermittently. This problem existed after the warranty expired. Vehicle was not repaired correctly the first time.”

“While driving windshield wipers turn off and on whenever they want to. They sometimes will not run at all or they will stop running during use. The dome light also stays on and will not turn off causing a glare on the window. It started doing it with the passenger door then the driver's door started the same problem. I checked with a dealer and it seems to have been a problem with rangers for many years now and still troubles many owners right up to the 2001 models. *dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis**739942”

“Guy next door knocked on my door late one night to tell me that my dome light was on. I looked & it wasn't. He said that was odd because he even walked by it & could see inside. A few days later it happened again. Then while driving at night the light came on by itself. From that point on it would randomly turn itself on. Naturally Ford told me that was impossible. The only way I could stop it without paying a ton of money to a garage was to pull the fuse & I've had to use a flashlight if I need a light at night ever since. …”

“The interior dome light and ignition alarm will not stop/turn off when vehicle is turned off. The ignition alarm stops only when the key is removed, the dome light stays on for extreme extended periods of time. I have had this repaired once in 1998 or 99. Vehicle was under warranty. The Ford motor company refuses to correct their defect (12,000 mile/12mo period is up) even though it is recurring. This is a safety hazard. I can't drive at night, because I cannot see out of my windows.”

“The dome light wouldn't shut off and caused the pinging sound as if the door was ajar. I called carriage Ford (where I bought the vehicle). They said the problem was not necessarily in the dome light but in the door switches--they've had to replace a number of these already. My daughter, who lives in tn, also has a Ranger and she's having the same problem. I've noticed people in other rangers driving with their dome lights stuck on, too. I reasoned this must be a common problem and checked to see how much the parts were to replace it. …”