Journal-News

Wheels: Paul writes by e-mail, "I have a 1998 Chevrolet Astro van and the inside dome lights won't go out. All of the door jam switches checked OK. I even unhooked all of them and the dome lights stayed on. I replaced the light selector switch on the dash and that didn't help. Normally, the lights stay on for five to 10 seconds after the door closes. I can hear the click when the lights are supposed to go out, but they don't. What device turns off these lights and where is it located? What else do you recommend?"

Halderman: I thought that this could be a normal operation of the interior lights and is a common feature used in newer vehicles. This feature is often called "theater lighting" where the interior lights will stay on for a short time and then dim until they go out. I checked service information on your vehicle and the interior lights are being controlled by an electronic module called the "interior light control module." This module is under the left side of the dash and is attached to the data link communications connector bracket. The interior lights are designed to remain on for 40 seconds after the doors are closed. Because the control is run through the module, there is no practical way to work around this module. The remote keyless entry (RKE) also uses this module to turn on the interior lights when the doors are unlocked.

Therefore, if the lights never turn off, the interior light control module is the most likely cause.

Wheels: An e-mail from WH says, "Help! I have had a 1994 Ford Crown Victoria (62,000 miles) for 12 years, and it's like new. I have fumes coming through the dash vents sometimes. The car is not driven during the winter months. Please tell me what to look for. Thanks."

Halderman: The most likely cause is frost from the air conditioning system. If the air-conditioning system is slightly low on charge, the evaporator can cause the humidity in the air to become partially frozen. This frozen moisture looks like fog or steam and can be a concern. If this is not the cause and the air conditioning has not been used when this happens, then something else is happening and is likely to be more serious. To help a service technician pin down when the problem occurs, try to see if it can be duplicated. Narrowing when the problem occurs will save the technician time and you money.

James D. Halderman is an ASE-certified master technician, a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the author of 12 textbooks. Submit your automotive care questions to Halderman via e-mail at jhalderman2@juno.com, or write him in care of: Wheels, Marketing Publications Department, Dayton Daily News, 1611 S. Main St., Dayton OH 45409.