Yet the little reading lights do. I checked both the fuse and the bulb...both looked fine but I replaced them anyway and still nothing. What am I missing?

 

You should either check the dome light switch where it says "Door", "Off" or "On". It could be that you are not getting a proper connection. Otherwise, you should check the switch in the door jam. It may be that it is just stuck and requires a touch of graphite to stay loose. Inspect the rubber boot to make sure that it is not binding, or torn (allowing dirt in).

 

Switch in the door jamb?

 

A pin switch.

 

I know these cars are a pain, but even if the pin switch was having issues, wouldnt I have light in the "on" position. I did notice the switch feels loose...could that have something to do with the problem?

 

You are correct that you would have light. Remove the dome light lens. It is as simple as wedging your key or a flat blade screwdriver between the dome light lens and trim on either the front or back side, not the sides, and slowly pry it off. Check the bulbs to make sure they are not burnt out. The dome light bulb will look like a glass fuse. If that is not the problem then you can simply remove the dome light assembly by removing the Phillips screws holding the dome light in place and unhooking the dome light from the harness. From there you should be able to closely inspect the dome light assembly to make sure you are getting go contact on the switch, or whether the connectors where the harness attaches have worked themselves loose so as not to make a connection.

Of course, there is always the off chance that something along the wire harness in the headliner or going to the headliner was inadvertently cut. Checking that your dome light is working while on the bench is much simpler and less aggravating. You might also want to connect a multimeter to the dome light harness in the headliner to ensure you are getting power.

Hope this helps.

 

well I know the bulb is good...guess i'll be pulling it apart to see whats going on under the assembly

 

How do you know the bulb is good? Did you test it?

 

the original didnt appear blown, and I have two new ones, one normal replacement, one from superbright led's, and not a flicker out of ant of them

 

le bump...ideas of what exactly to look for inder the assembly?

 

Did you use a multimeter or simple circuit checker to ensure you were getting power to the bulb?