2012 Explorer - Interior lights do not turn on when doors are opened or if switch is pressed.
Asked by stevefitz26 Nov 25, 2014 at 12:57 AM about the 2012 Ford Explorer Limited
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Hi all,
Having issues with the interior lights turning on when the door is opened or the dome switch is pressed.
Symptoms:
1. Puddle lights, interior domes, center console light, steering wheel lights do not come on at all.
2. Dome control button underneath fog light button does nothing.
3. Dome lights do turn on when touching them individually and pushing them on.
Troubleshooting:
1. Checked fuse #12 and #4 and both are fine.
2. Performed defaults setting on menu controlled by steering column as well as a master reset on the sync touch screen. No Change.
Background - Battery died 3 months ago and I had it replaced after a jump start. Vehicle has 45k miles on it and have had it since 10 mile almost 39 months ago. My wife noticed the lighting issue may have started when the battery was replaced.
I would like a DIY solution as the vehicle is out of warranty and I just paid $900 for a faulty joint on the driver side...
Thanks for any information you can provide.
10 Answers
Begin with the dome light that does nothing. Get to the back of the switch with a volt meter and see if 12 volts is present. If it is toggle the switch from off to on checking for voltage each time. If no voltage is present then you will have to back trace the circuit to find the problem. A wiring diagram would be helpful if you have to go past checking the switch for fault.
Did you get this figured out? I'm having the same issue with my 2013.
Did anybody ever get this fixed??? My 2014 goes in Thursday for all of these dame symptoms.
Did anyone ever figure this out mine just started doing it tonight
Check your fuse panel. Under the dash that’s what mine was.
I just fixed mine 15 amp fuse in position 12 on the panel.. it’s hard to get to.. there are 2 screws under the steering wheel. Remove them and pull the the flimsy protector underneath. It comes out kind of hard and on the left side tug hard to get off plastic screw .. fuse box is located to left on side wall .. you almost have to be a contortionist to it.
BrandinCaleb answered 5 years ago
Fuse 12 is for the two in the center at the front. Fuse 4 gets the three down the center and the cargo light. Benny I hear you on the contortionist part. Awful placement of this fuse panel.
Guru91W5S9 answered 3 years ago
Hello I installed LED interior lights on a 2012 Ford Expedition Interceptor model and the lights stopped working when i connected the third light in the back and the fuzes are okay i replaced 1o of them to be sure it lights up but very low and when i turn one on it turned the opposite one in i attempted to remove the harness that connects the bulb but was unsuccessful did I damage it?
