View Full Version : Any Viper (DEI) car alarm guru's on site?
My 2009 F350 dome light does not work anymore when door opens and wondered if there is an option to keep it off.
Checked fuses, new bulb and dimmer switch does not turn it on. Bed light works with door open and dimmer switch.
Maybe a module or something in the alarm system needs to be replaced....need help.
Even if there was something configured in the alarm, it shouldn't keep the dome light from operating normally. Typically the alarm feeds 12v or a ground to the light to get it to activate via a relay, but does not interfere with stock function.
OtterbatHellcat
09-06-2017, 17:10
For a long time, Ford used the door handle as the "door open" signal. It's weird that the cargo light still comes on when you open the door but not the dome light.
OtterbatHellcat
09-06-2017, 17:15
There might be something going on with the handle, it should have a couple of small harnesses going into it. Get your panel off and check those for chaffing or broken wires. Also, check the whole wire harness from the door into the cab in the hinged area.
Door switches are in the claw latch itself. If cargo light and door chime work, I wouldn't suspect them.
Thanks guys for the suggestions. I'll check if the chime still works with the key in ignition as soon as I get home.
OtterbatHellcat
09-06-2017, 18:01
Door switches are in the claw latch itself.
Yes, I should have used the word "latch" when talking about the door handle.
Chime with key in works. It seems that the only thing the alarm senses for door open is the dome light. If so then it has caused an open circuit. Just guessing.
Did this alarm just get installed?
4-5 years ago. Just noticed this a few months ago.
Does the alarm sense the door open properly?
I'll check the relay used to activate the dome light. Do you think it could be a bad connection between the contacts? Everything works but no light. Shot in the dark.
Does the alarm sense the door open properly?
I went out and opened the door. Set the alarm and pulled the lock up. Let it sit for a while and slowly closed the door. The motion sensor started beeping (warn away) so I waited until it stopped. Opened the door and the warn away started beeping again but I could see on my dash that the alarm was going to be triggered. Off it went. So the warn away set it or the door open did. It was about 15 second after I opened the door that the alarm went off. Shouldn't it be instant if it was the dome light relay/ activator?
No local switch on the dome light?
Confused the crap outta me the first time it happened on my Dodge until I realized it had a switch embedded in it.
Switch? On the dome light or alarm system? The dome has three bulbs, left, right and center. The left and right have switches to turn on and the center is the courtesy light activated by the doors. Does that help?
I went out and checked again on both front and rear dome lights. No switch.
Here's a test.
If you are using the dome as your door sense, go sit in the truck, close all doors, set the alarm, wait a few, then roll the dimmer all the way up until it clicks (turning dome and cargo on). If it trips, you have a wiring issue near the alarm connections. If not, the truck itself is broken.
I'll try that tomorrow. Thanks for your help.
Ok I got into the truck and set the alarm active, unlocked (by hand) the door.
Waited about 30-45 seconds and turned the dimmer switch to "On" for the dome light. No alarm.
Slowly opened the door, No alarm.
Closed the door (shock sensor) and alarm went off.
Are you hearing a soft clicking behind the gauge cluster?
I would suspect either GEM or the cluster, depending on the year of the truck. I am not familiar enough with the truck to know the specifics.
Take a look here...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1011353-dome-light-not-working-tested-almost-all-components.html
Is there a switch on Fords to disable the dome light when the door opens. I know I had a push button on the lower left of the dash in my Tahoe, but am not familiar with Fords.
Are you hearing a soft clicking behind the gauge cluster?
I would suspect either GEM or the cluster, depending on the year of the truck. I am not familiar enough with the truck to know the specifics.
Take a look here...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1011353-dome-light-not-working-tested-almost-all-components.html
Thanks for the link.
No soft click or any feel of a click when I turn the dimmer to the dome on position.
Is there a switch on Fords to disable the dome light when the door opens. I know I had a push button on the lower left of the dash in my Tahoe, but am not familiar with Fords.
I didn't see any switch. I'll look again tomorrow.
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