How to turn off dome lights

No way? Did you check the dome light switch setting? If that does not work take the bulb out.

Thanks for the answer. No switch on dome or rear interior light. It's a cargo van, I can't believe that I'm unable to leave doors open for an extended period of time because of lights. I pulled the dome light easily...rear light required a screw driver...Would be easier to pull a fuse, but box diagrams that I saw do not indicate interior lights...any ideas which fuse?

There may also be a switch next to the headlight switch. The dimmer for the instrument lights can be turned all the way until the dome light stays on.

Yes there is a switch next to headlight knob, it is for fog lights. The dimmer clicks like the interior lights should go out, but they stay on. Looks like removing bulbs is the answer. Maybe too many conversions on this van. grin.

I'll look into that. Thank you for your help.

i have same issue, carpenter and batt goes dead if a dr is left open during work

If you turn the dimmer switch all the way up, it turns on the dome lights with a click.

I have a 98 with the same issue. PITA. I just pull the bulb. Which is also a PITA.

I have a 98 and each individual interior light can be “rockered” between the two switch positions into an “always off” position. My 03 has conventional switches that have no middle position. Not the best “upgrade”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFEgkTyNzj0

Selena, up until about 1999, the econolines had dome light where the dome light fixture itself was a rocker switch. This allowed the capability to rock the dome light into a position between door and on, where the circuit was open and the light would not come on when the doors were open. Your video shows this. GuruR8RW2 already explained this. What we are looking for is a way to have this same functionality in later models that came with standard switches and stationary dome lights.

GuruR8RW2, the link to the YouTube video that Selena provided in her post, shows a fuse box diagram that includes the “Dome/Map Lamp” aka “Interior lights” and indicates the location of the fuse as: #8; which requires 15A fuse. The OP stated in their 2nd post; “Would be easier to pull a fuse, but box diagrams that I saw do not indicate interior lights...any ideas which fuse?” Hence why Selena posted the video with the fuse box. It’s the same one for the year OP needed.

I have the 2000 e350 diesel also. If I leave the doors open the dome light will turn off after a period of time except if the rear door is open. The light will stay on unless you close the rear door.

I have a 1995 E150 Cargo Van. There are no switches on the interior lights themselves. No switch next to the Headlight Switch. Turning the Headlight switch will not turn off the interior lights. Leaving the doors open while working results in a Dead Battery. Pulling the bulbs out of the fixtures is a lousy fix when it gets dark and I need interior light. Pulling the fuse also kills the stereo. I would like to install an interrupt switch. What wire should I use and where is the best place to access it?

Larry, if the 1995 has the rocker style switches (where the fixture itself is rocked from always on to door-only) like my 1998 did, all you have to do is rock the switch into the mid position. It's not an actual position, it's just a spot in the middle between the two contact positions.

VWLuv, regarding your explanation of Selena's post, unless I've missed a secondary post, the OP's vehicle is a 2000, and Selena's YouTube link shows the fuse box for 1993-1996.

My 2012 E-250 interior lights do turn off after about five minutes or so (a long time),j when any of the doors are open, as long as the dash light dimmer is not in the detente at the top of the dial.

I also have a 2000 e350. I am in middle of converting it and constantly drain the battery as I need to keep the doors open. The dimmer switch does not turn off the interior lights. I was also thinking I would need to pull out the bulbs, but I may need them at night....terrible design.

Not a fix, but may mitigate a bit, and a good thing to do anyway: if you have bulbs, replace with LED lights. Will draw much less power (and yet give more light), so if they are left on accidentally, battery will drain much slower. Since I replaced my '99's bulbs with LEDs, have had them left on for a verrrry long time and the battery still had more than enough juice left to start.