sparky1957

I have a 2004 f150. I have replaced the light switch and door switch's.
the only way they go off is if I turn the dimmer switch all the way down Basicly turning off the lighting to the dash and overheads or by hitting the dash with my fist just above the light switch! this also turns off the brake light that come on all the time as well.
Really am tired of hitting the dash and would really like to have some dash lights at night with out the interior lights coming on all the time.
Surely I am not the only one with this problem so any help would be very much appreciated.

Mod (Ret.)

There is a relay used to operate the interior lights (stay on) for a short period of time after the door is opened, or the key is removed. I suspect this relay/circuit is stuck.

sparky1957

Would this still be the case if the lights still go out after you park the car as with the dimmer switch in the off position when I leave the pickup the interior lights will time out and go off

Martian

This sentence is a mess. I'm not sure what you're saying / asking. Please clarify it.

sparky1957

Sorry,
I will start over.
my interior lights and also the brake light emblem on the left side of the dash comes on when I hit a bump, If I hit the dash above the switch they will go out. If I turn the
dimmer switch to the off position I of course have no dash lights but also no interior lights, the brake light will still come on but like I said if I hit the dash it will go off.
I have tried a new headlight switch at the tune of $100 this did not fix the problem either. so the only way I can drive at night is with the dimmer switch turned all the way down and like I said I have no instrument lights as well.
Now with the switch down like I said when I enter or exit the pickup the interior light comes on but will fade away like it suppose to. So I am not convinced it is the relay stuck as of yet ( still searching for answers)
I hope this helps
Thank you

Martian

Well it definitely sounds like the switch or the wires connected to it have a short somewhere. I say pop that sucker out, get out your meter and test it, and inspect the insulation / pin connectors on the wires.

Martian

A blown fuse (or even a corroded fuse) wouldn't cause a light to turn on or off by hitting the dashboard.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a cluster going bad !!

bad_93

Same identical problem here. Do you fix or replace the cluster?

sparky1957

Not yet still looking for more ideas before I go that far. going to try to take dash apart and look around for a loose wire or short in the near future. Glad I am not the only one with this problem sorry you have it thou