Lexus: Why Won't My Interior Lights Turn On/Off?
Malfunctioning interior lights generally aren't the beginning of an electrical nightmare. Figure out why they're failing to work correctly with this guide.
This article applies to the Lexus IS, GS, ES, and RX (2004-2014).
Interior lights are generally pretty trouble free, but occasionally a broken component will prevent them from acting the way that they should. Often times this results in a dome light that won't come on when the door is open, or won't go off when the door is closed. Here are a few simple things that any Lexus owner can check before taking their car into the shop.
Step 1 - Change the LED bulb
Most often, the reason dome lights don't come on is due to a burnt out bulb. Replacing the map light bulbs is easy. Use a screwdriver or a trim remover to pry the plastic cover off the dome light. Start at the side nearest to the windshield.
Figure 1. Be careful not to break the plastic clamps. 
Figure 2. Gently pull out and replace the bulb.
Try turning on the dome lights. If only one bulb is out, pull that bulb and replace it with a new one. If that doesn't work or if none of the dome lights come on, continue to Step 2.
Featured Video: How to Install Dome/Map Light
Step 2 - Check the fuse box
Locate the fuse box under the driver side's dashboard. Examine fuse #8 in the fuse box, which is responsible for the interior lights, including the dome light. If the fuse is blown, replace it with another 10A fuse. If the dome light is still dead, move on to the next step.
Step 3 - Check for faulty door switches
The switches in the door that tell the car's computer that they're closed might be broken. This would explain why the lights don't turn off or on in accordance with an open or closed door. This is a problem that seems to be more prevalent in the Lexus GS, but it could easily appear in the IS models.
This little switch is held to the door jamb by a single bolt. Since this is a somewhat exposed location, the bolt can get corroded by water and the like over time. Since the switch also uses that bolt as a ground, a bad connection could cause weird lighting problems. Replace the sensor and check that bolt for corrosion. In some cases, simply removing and re-installing it is enough "cleaning" to fix intermittent interior lighting problems.
Featured Video: Why Won't My Interior Lights Turn On/Off?
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