Interior Lights issue

[ContiMan2000]

I have a 2000 Continental with appx. 55,000 miles, my current problem is that when i shut the door and go inside for the night, the interior lights are coming on at some point and staying on so that I have a dead battery when i come outside in the morning. I observed this totally by accident one night when I parked in a different area and looked outside only to see the interior illuminated. I took out the fuse for the interior lights circuit and have not had an issue since. I guess my question is, what could possibly be causing this? I searched for door jam switches but I cannot find them. Is there a timer involved? I thought after 30 minutes or so, the car was supposed to shut down any lights left on. Any help in this matter or ideas of where and what to check would be great. Thank you in advance for your help.

[v8_dave]

Welcome!

well, you have done an excellent job pinpoining the issue. It could be the door ajar switches as these are notorious but they dont usually affect the car after the door is shut. Wierd, the LCM could be wacked too, either or. I would try the door jam cleaning/lube like in our tech section just for kicks b/c it is free. http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00089.html

[blackbeauty]

Hmmm, not entirely sure. My 95 Conti has the battery-saver feature that kills everything except the compass in the rearview after ten minutes.

I always start with the obvious (KISS) and work my way up.
1. Headlight switch
2. Check all 4 doors - do this with the car on or running and see which one you can open without the door ajar message/chime coming on. If any, go to the tech section on cleaning the contacts inside the doors.
3. Watch the interior lights while driving - do they flicker on/off
4. Does everything else work correctly? e.g. does the radio turn off when you pull the key and open a door?
etc. ........

[ContiMan2000]

I tried all the above mentioned items and i am still having the same issue.. you mentioned and LCM? i am not familiar as to what this item is,,, thanks for your help so far

[pro-five-oh]

Lubricate the door hinges (TECH article) to make sure they are reading as closed. That's free and easy...but probably not the problem.

There is a relay/timer to cut off the system after 10 minutes. (I think) Its probably in the LCM (lighting control module) as previously mentioned.

This might be a good time to get a Ford shop manual for more information on the system.

[blackbeauty]

Do whatever Pro says.. he da MAN!!!