Sorry to bother with such a dumb question, but here's a little timewaster for someone: Could someone tell me where to find the switch that turns on the interior lights when you open the driver's door? (2003 S type) When I open the driver's door, the interior lights do not come on (except once in a while it works). But the interior lights come on just fine, without fail, whenever I open any of the other doors, as they should. So I suspect it's just the switch for the driver's door is a little gummed up (WD40 to the rescue!). But I'll be darned if I can find the switch! On every other car I've owned it's just a little push button somewhere on the front door jamb but I sure don't see it on the Jag. Am I missing something? Or are my eyes just failing me?

Thanks! (This is a great forum, by the way!)

 

Yes it is!

The switch is intergrated in the locking mechanism inside the door.

 

Thanks for the quick response! But I guess that means I have to open up the door and remove the locking mechanism to get at the problem? Hmm, I'll have to think about that. Not sure it bothers me enough to wrestle with removing the interior trim panel on the door. I wonder what would happen if I just squirted a little electronic contact cleaner in there...

Thanks again!

 

Give it a whirl and please post back.

 

So does that mean that using the key but NOT opening the door should put the interior lights on? If so, that would be a way to see if it's the lock as opposed to something else like wiring at the hinge.

BTW, Gary - it wasn't a dumb question (not that the guys here generally mind!)

 

Good suggestion, JagV8, I hadn't thought of that since I never unlock the door with the key. I just tried it and turning the lock does turn the interior lights on. So I waited and let them fade out, then opened the door -- no interior lights.

So I guess that means the wiring itself is probably okay and the problem is located in whatever type of switch they have integrated into the door latch. As I said, I'm not keen on opening up the entire door to get to it. I'll try squirting a little electronic contact cleaner into the latch (hoping that won't cause other problems).

I'll post the results, once I build up the nerve to try it. Thanks!

 

A new wrinkle: I got to thinking some more about JagV8's suggestion, so before randomly squirting solvent into a place I can't actually see, I decided to double-check one more time for a loose or broken wire. I opened the door and grabbed the rubber conduit between the door and the frame, which I presume contains all the wires for switches, latches, speakers, mirror control, etc. I gave it a good solid jostling and -- ta dah! -- the interior lights came on!

So I guess there's either a kink in the wire or (more likely) the wire connection to the switch inside the latch is a little loose. I gave it a few more jiggles and all seems to be working... for now. In any case, I'm not going to tear into the door over this. If it stops working again I'll just get in the habit of hitting the unlock switch on the remote.

Or carry a flashlight.

Thanks to both of you for your helpful information!

 

Your 1/2 way there Gary. Congrats

BTW there is a pictured how to, to remove the front door interior trim panel located in the S Type FAQ thread. Its not that bad of a job!