Map Lights Weird Issue - Dimmer Switch

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

dodge_man7

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hello,

I'm having a strange problem with my map lights. When the dome selector switch is turned all the way to the right the map lights turn on/off and the buttons work, but when the dome selector switch is moved to the left to set the dimmer level I'm unable to turn the map lights on by pressing them. I can press them when the dome selector is all the way to the right but that's the only time they work. What could be causing this or is this how they are designed? I bought the truck used but I don't believe these are LED replaced. Seems like a weird design.

Thank You...

EDIT: Also the map lights work when the door is opened. The button doesn't seem to be the issue since it works when the dome selector turns on the interior lights.
 

RamCares

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
3,782
Reaction score
1,513
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
n/a
Engine
n/a
Hello,

I'm having a strange problem with my map lights. When the dome selector switch is turned all the way to the right the map lights turn on/off and the buttons work, but when the dome selector switch is moved to the left to set the dimmer level I'm unable to turn the map lights on by pressing them. I can press them when the dome selector is all the way to the right but that's the only time they work. What could be causing this or is this how they are designed? I bought the truck used but I don't believe these are LED replaced. Seems like a weird design.

Thank You...

EDIT: Also the map lights work when the door is opened. The button doesn't seem to be the issue since it works when the dome selector turns on the interior lights.

Hi dodge_man7,

If you decide to visit your local dealership for further diagnosis I'd be happy to follow up with them for you if needed. Just PM our page with your VIN and let me know!

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist
 

chris52010trx4

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2015
Posts
391
Reaction score
235
Location
ontario
Ram Year
2010
Engine
hemi 5.7
Hello,

I'm having a strange problem with my map lights. When the dome selector switch is turned all the way to the right the map lights turn on/off and the buttons work, but when the dome selector switch is moved to the left to set the dimmer level I'm unable to turn the map lights on by pressing them. I can press them when the dome selector is all the way to the right but that's the only time they work. What could be causing this or is this how they are designed? I bought the truck used but I don't believe these are LED replaced. Seems like a weird design.

Thank You...

EDIT: Also the map lights work when the door is opened. The button doesn't seem to be the issue since it works when the dome selector turns on the interior lights.

still have this issue as well... ever since I did my led interior swap i cant use map lights unless dimmer is up all the way or doors are open also my visor lights and upper glove box will not illuminate when open...
 
OP
OP
D

dodge_man7

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
still have this issue as well... ever since I did my led interior swap i cant use map lights unless dimmer is up all the way or doors are open also my visor lights and upper glove box will not illuminate when open...

Weird. I don't have the LED lights. Both my visor and glove box lights illuminate properly.

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the map lights? Has anyone been able to resolve this?
 
OP
OP
D

dodge_man7

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Sitting in the pickup with everything off. Can't turn on map lights. If I open my vanity mirror lid I can hear the CD player try to eject a cd like it's getting power. Also did I mention I purchased a new battery a few days ago and it went dead sitting in my truck for two days without driving. Charged the battery and haven't had problems since. If a door is left open will this truck kill the battery or is there protection for that. Wondering if this truck has some electrical gremlins.
 

rango10

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2016
Posts
244
Reaction score
66
Ram Year
2015
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Sitting in the pickup with everything off. Can't turn on map lights. If I open my vanity mirror lid I can hear the CD player try to eject a cd like it's getting power. Also did I mention I purchased a new battery a few days ago and it went dead sitting in my truck for two days without driving. Charged the battery and haven't had problems since. If a door is left open will this truck kill the battery or is there protection for that. Wondering if this truck has some electrical gremlins.
I would take all the led lights out and see if the issue is still there. If so, I would bring it to the dealership without the led's. You know how the dealers are, they blame all problems on the dumbest things.

Sent from my STV100-1 using Tapatalk
 

novelmike

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2015
Posts
788
Reaction score
319
Location
Central California
Ram Year
2012
Engine
5.7
If a door is left open will this truck kill the battery or is there protection for that. Wondering if this truck has some electrical gremlins.

My 2012 Ram 1500 will cut power to the light inside my truck that I accidentally leave on. Like the dome and map lights. And when I go to turn the key to start it, it will come back on. And only then is when I realize I left a light on.

Also I can turn the map lights on at any time. Its not affected by the dimmer switch.

Since someone on here also has the same issues after he installed LED light bulbs, I'd check there to see if the previous owner put them in your truck.
 
OP
OP
D

dodge_man7

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I don't think I have LEDs installed or at least they don't look like LED lights. Everything is factory to my knowledge. Trying not to deal with the dealership as I'm sure they'll want $100/hr and won't find anything after 4-5 hours. I did a battery drain test and it came back .18 amps so I don't think that should be killing the battery. Just find it strange that the map lights won't turn on. I've checked the IOD fuses.
 

Sir John

Senior Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Posts
1,830
Reaction score
894
Location
Buffalo, NY
Ram Year
2016 1500 Rebel "Mopar 16" Special Edition
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Take the covers off and see if they are LED bulbs. That should be your 1st step. There is a video floating around the internet about a similar issue. If installing aftermarket LED bulbs, in a newer Ram that didn't come with them, you should make sure they are canbus ready. I just, this week, replaced all of my incandescent bulbs with LED canbus bulbs in my 2016 Rebel and they all work perfectly.
 
OP
OP
D

dodge_man7

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Just found another electrical issue. Looks like the ERS button on my shifter doesn't work. When I press + or - I'm not able to see the gear I'm in. Electrical problems galore. Any suggestions. Maybe this is a fuse problem. Fingers crossed.
 
OP
OP
D

dodge_man7

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Well this is just a reminder to check the simplest things first. I dropped the head console and noticed the connection for the map lights connection wasn't fastened all the way. Tightened the connection and now the buttons work :roflsquared:

Sooooo..... Yeah. I've spend hours online try to find an answer and it look 1 minute to fix once I actually looked at it. Thanks everyone for the help anyway :)
 
Top