internal lights not working

[touchme510]

i have a ford escort van 1800 diesel R REG 97
my internal lights are not working, when i open the 2 front doors.
but the internal light does switch on from the light unit.
i have replaced the 2 door switches, and its made no difference.
can any body advise me, regards Denis.

 

[Diyisfun]

The switch has 3 positions usualy, have you tried all 3.?

 

[touchme510]

YH TRIED ALL THREE POSITIONS

 

[TicklyT]

If there is just a single wire to the door switches, corrosion around the switch fixing may stop it from working. Try connecting the lead directly to a good clean part of the bodywork, and see if that brings the light on.

If it doesn't, the problem is likely to be the wiring somewhere between the switches and the light fitting, or the fitting itself. A little caution is required poking about in the average courtesy light, as one connection is always live, whether the light is on or not.

The switch on the fitting is often little more than a springy piece of metal sliding across a couple of studs. If a stud is pitted or blackened it may not complete the circuit to the door switches.

 

[touchme510]

i will have a closer look at those points, and thanks every one for the advise.

 

[Mursal]

We have had trouble with the three position switch in the past. It doesn't go back into the door position properly.

It is something common with both sides because both door did not fail at the same time.

Give one door wire a good earth and play with the three way switch until it works. Then super glue it into position.

 

[Crickleymal]

A can of switch cleaner is often useful. You can get it from Maplins among other places. Squirt it into the various switches and operate the switch a few times.

With the door switches you could find that the screw hole that secures the switch is a bit corroded. This is often the only earth point they have and if this is corroded it won't conduct the current.