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Dome light issue - works in reverse


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Stretch05
New User

Feb 10, 2017, 8:05 PM

Post #1 of 7 (1364 views)
Dome light issue - works in reverse Sign In

Hi I have a 2003 Chevy Avalanche. The dome light works as you would expect with one caveat - instead of turning on when you open the door while in park, it turns on when you open the door in reverse.

Can somebody help me understand what I need to do so the dome light turns on in park when I open the doors? I've searched a lot but have not found another case similar to mine.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 10, 2017, 9:53 PM

Post #2 of 7 (1354 views)
Re: Dome light issue - works in reverse Sign In

Help me/us help you with something first: You do mean "dome light" the lighting that normally would light up when you open a door - right? That's overhead, some under dash and maybe on door panel NOT just one on roof.


In short I don't know what it's supposed to do when and what you can or can't shut off or change on this 1/2 Tahoe, 1/2 pick-up truck vehicle convertible to either.


Is this issue new to you or you just got this vehicle and wonder?
I totally suggest reading owner's manual as to what settings do what and when plus how to change them.


If you know of any added equipment, sound system, anti-theft, remote starter or things non OE added please say so.


You are right in that so far it seems backwards that interior lighting works let's just say "out of park" but not in park??


T



Stretch05
New User

Feb 11, 2017, 9:34 AM

Post #3 of 7 (1341 views)
Re: Dome light issue - works in reverse Sign In

You are correct about more than just overhead, it does include a door lamp and perhaps some under dash lights. The lights that come typically come on when you park your vehicle, and open the door. This is normal when the vehicle is on/off. These lights would àlso typically come on when you unlock the vehicle and open the door to get in - so convenient when you're hopping in the vehicle at night.

My family has had the vehicle for years and now I'll be driving it for a while so I finally decided to solve the problem. The truck has done this since we've had it. We bought it used and it has some brake regulator for towing but we've never used it.

I would not say this happens only "out of park" it only happens in reverse so technically different.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 11, 2017, 9:50 AM

Post #4 of 7 (1337 views)
Re: Dome light issue - works in reverse Sign In

IDK - Best now I can guess since it's done it right along is that brake regulator for towing was somehow tapping into wiring it shouldn't or has failed.


No telling now what was done and how to undo that unless you clearly see what was done and I'd remove that. Who would be a good question and I'd suggest the U-Haul folks take a look at least as they are known to me as professional towing people/techs for installations with PROPER set ups for an application.


Here are the snags for me. IDK if you have a box to also run electric brakes, convert if amber turn signals to red for trailer and or defeat anti-lock brakes in combination with any trailer brakes of a wide assortment possible. Arggh.


High bet that's the problem. Someone just found power and ran that box off of it which has messed it up,


T



kev2
Veteran
kev2 profile image

Feb 11, 2017, 1:17 PM

Post #5 of 7 (1326 views)
Re: Dome light issue - works in reverse Sign In

some suggestions:
Scan for codes - not the common type scan but the B series codes in the BCM (body control manual).
Look into that brake unit - maybe a name will get to a website and a wiring diagram.


OK lights turn on when you open the door in reverse.
what about opening the door in D
and open door in N...


PS I always ask - is there a remote starter?


Stretch05
New User

Feb 11, 2017, 5:36 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1317 views)
Re: Dome light issue - works in reverse Sign In

How would I go about scanning for codes? Is that done with one of the things you plug in under the dash?

The lights are only reverse, not neutral, not drive (not park obviously :)).

No remote start


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 11, 2017, 8:56 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1306 views)
Re: Dome light issue - works in reverse Sign In

Quote from back a few ">> We bought it used and it has some brake regulator for towing but we've never used it.<<"


Lighting only works in reverse! I feared that as only reason is the truck has back up lights that shouldn't be involved with a trailer but it seems to get power when those lights do.
As Kev2 suggested get some codes read. I'm near sure as far as guessing goes someone hauled something more involved than this vehicles was probably intended for. There should have been a harness just waiting for an adaptor in the back but if hauling lots more then you find yourself up front.


Problems just smack that this was all hacked. Can't do that with this as you have to consider the truck's plain brake lights, directionals are body control module controlled and if wires just tapped into is my fear you must do it or was done to exacting specs not just hunting for wires that have power nor cutting into them.


THAT IS IF THIS IS THE ISSUE AT ALL? Just a peek in the area above driver's feet for messed up wires not OE and how done if anything.


This could take some very serious work/time to just undo this and correct any damage.


The trailer hitch wiring if a regulator was required suggests a lot was done probably NOT intended for this vehicle despite being such an adaptable passenger vehicle and plain truck convertible don't think it was intended to haul a monster trailer?


I mentioned U-Haul by name as they are frequently involved with very capable new vehicle dealers and proper parts for both a hitch and the wiring. Can't know if you don't rule this in or out.


Aftermarket even done well and proper by now could be the nightmare a lot of that stuff is. The total correction now could be nasty but IDK,


T







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