Greetings all on my very first post in this forum. If you're anything like the guys and gals over in the Mustang forum, I'm expecting great things!

I have a pesky dome light issue that I can't figure out. I've got a '91 5.0 XLT. I've replaced both map bulbs and the center dome light bulb. I also replaced the driver side door-open-switch but still nothing. Anyone have ideas?

Thanks!!
Bryan

 

Checked for power yet? Checked fuses?

 

No, I haven't. Good idea. I know there are some by the e-brake pedal and some under the hood. How do I tell which one is blown without taking them all out individually?

 

You don't have fuses under the hood unless someone added some. You can use a tester to check them but otherwise it's easier to see if they're blown by removing them.

 

You owners manual or a haynes or chilton manual should tell you what fuse is for what in each location. That would narrow it down. The other way is to take a 12v test light, hook the clip to a good ground and take the pointy end of the tester and insert it into the top of the fuse where you can see a tiny bit of metal sticking out, you'll have to hit both sides of the fuse.

Like this:



To test each fuse, on both sides, should take only a few minutes. If you find one that only lights on one side, pull it and check it.

NOTE: If you have the ignition off, some will be dead on both sides until you turn the key on!

 

I knew electrics wasn't my strong area, but this is a little embarrassing. I checked the diagram on the fuse panel cover and it proved very accurate. I pulled out that fuse and it is surely blown. I'll let you know if that doesn't fix it.

Thanks for helping out!

 

Well, it didn't work. I replaced the fuse and still nothing. Keep in mind I've already replaced the bulbs and door-jamb switch too. Any ideas?

 

The radio and the dome light are on the same fuse, so if the radio works then you can eliminate the fuse issue... have you done anything that'd expose the wires running to the lights? Maybe try using a multimeter to see if current is going to the bulbs at all?

 

Good info, but your suggestion reveals that more background is needed. I bought the truck second-hand about two years ago. Stock radio had the wires cut, so I bought a modern radio and followed a wiring diagram to match the new color schemes with the old Ford colors. The radio worked great except that the clock and presets would clear every time I turned off the truck, so I ran the yellow wire from the radio over to the fuse panel and spliced into a random hot wire (a buddy helped me here). Everything has worked great since then.

The dome light has never worked since I've owned the truck. Therefore, I'm wondering about the statement that they are both on the same fuse. However, I know all fuses are good at the current time because I pulled them all to visually check them.

The dome has two screws holding it on. Both go through some type of black plastic "connector" in the roof that have wires running directly into them.

Like I said in my last post, electrics are not my strong suit. What setting would I use to check the juice to the dome? Do I touch just one side or both terminals at the same time?

Thanks!
Bryan

 

Set the meter to D/C, black to ground and red to the power wire. You can ground just about anywhere metal as long as it's clean.