DIY: Why Won't My Interior Lights Turn On or Off?

In the dark

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.

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. 

>>Join the conversation about replacing the interior lights right here in the Club Lexus Forum.

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.

>>Join the conversation about replacing the interior lights right here in the Club Lexus Forum.

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. 

>>Join the conversation about replacing the interior lights right here in the Club Lexus Forum.

That's all

While the dome light bulb is not critical to the safety or performance of the vehicle, it does provide a convenient feature that makes the driving experience more comfortable for the passengers. If your dome light has burned out or is not functioning correctly, a technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to replace your dome light bulb for you.

To see the video version of this walkthrough, just click here.  

>>Join the conversation about replacing the interior lights right here in the Club Lexus Forum.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.