What to Do If the Interior Light in a Corolla Stays On?
3 Answers
Generally, interior dome lights not only have a mode selection switch but also a separate on/off switch. Some car interior lights can be pressed directly to turn them on or off. Simply switch from the always-on mode to the always-off mode or door-activated mode.
My cousin's Corolla had the same issue last year, the interior lights just wouldn't turn off. Found out most cases are caused by faulty door lock sensors - if any door isn't properly closed, the light stays on. We can try firmly reopening and closing each door, paying special attention to whether the 'click' sound from the door locks is crisp. If that doesn't work, open the fuse box under the steering wheel, locate the fuse labeled 'ROOM' or 'DOME', pull it out for a few minutes then plug it back in - this essentially reboots the car's computer. Last time I did this, the lights behaved afterwards. If it still persists, chances are the door limit switch needs replacing. This is a 30-minute job at the repair shop, DIY replacement risks breaking plastic clips.
Last time I helped a colleague with a similar issue, here's a technical troubleshooting method to share. First, observe whether the light turns on only when any door is opened—this indicates the switch is in the DOOR position, not a malfunction. But if the light stays on even when all doors are tightly closed, check if the toggle switch on the overhead console near the driver's seat is stuck. Gently tap it with the handle of a screwdriver to see if it resets. Next, test each door sensor: have someone take turns pressing the black rubber door switch (about the size of a coin) on the door frame. Normally, a slight click should be heard when pressed. If a switch offers no resistance or sound when pressed, it's faulty. Finally, prepare a multimeter to test the continuity of the switch circuit. If you don't have the tools, simply replace the switch as a process of elimination.
