When I bought my Jeep I got it used. And I believe it was some type of government vehicle. It has some type of round thing on the roof (not a CB hook up) and on the passenger side of the center console there is four filled in holes in a square pattern and four more in the carpet. You can barley tell that they are there. Anyway, when I'm driving occasionally the interior light will pop on and then cut out. But this is everyday so it is getting a bit annoying. So I just wanted to know how to open up the overhead interior light without breaking anything cuz I'm not sure if there are tabs or anything holding it in. Its just the two light one, no temp or time display.

I had the same problem with the interior lights popping on randomly. Turns out it was the left stalk on the steering column that controls the lights. I replaced it, and never had that problem again.

Same problem several people have had, it seems to happen to 02-04 models.

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Be sure to check the holes in the floor. If they didn't fill them it can cause rustout and leaks.

Terry

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I had the same problem.

Fixed for free.

The left lever next to the steering colum that controls your lights and dimmer - just turn that one click away from you (or toward you, cant remember now). It basically gets the interior lights (dash / radio / HVAC) off their brightest setting. For some reason on that high setting, it clicks into place. I turned mine back over a year now, and can honestly say have never seen the issue again. Once in a while, just to make sure that is still the cause I turn my interior lights (dash / radio / HVAC) on as bright as they go - and wait for the overhead lights to come on - never fails!

Now, sometimes if you pay enough attention you will see your digital odomoter get a bit brighter, then darker. But never the overhead lights.

I had a similar issue...I like driving with the back glass open and my windows down, and i turn the dimmer all the way down. last time I did it, the interior lights came on once every couple minutes. Haven't fixed it yet

Same deal here on a 02. Chrysler said too bad it is out of warranty

I asked if there was a service bulletin since so many ppl were having this (we had a fleet of KJ's b4 that all had this issue too).

It is the switch on the arm that as stated above if you adjust it lower, it won't act up..

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What should I fill them in with? Something like bondo?

If the holes are on the passenger side floor it was probably for a laptop mount or the like. I would just make sure there isnt any rust setting up then seal them with silicone or RTV.

My interior lights also come on like that. Theyve not done it in awhile but it did run the battery down twice. When I lived at home my pops told me he would see them on when he went to work every morning.

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Is this problem strictly limited to the overhead light, or does it also affect your dashboard lights? If it's related to the dimmer switch, you should notice when the overhead light comes on that your dashboard lights also get brighter. In that case, as others have said, you can just turn down the dimmer. You're likely to still get flickering dashboard lights, but turning the dimmer down will prevent the overhead light from coming on randomly.

If you choose to do that, keep in mind that you're just masking the problem, and the problem still exists. In my case it got worse and eventually even affected the headlights, which shut off while I was driving on the freeway at night. That was when I decided to fix it.

If you actually want to fix the problem, you'll need a new multifunction switch (the stalks on the left and right of the steering column come built into the switch and can't be purchased separately as far as I know.) The part is less than $100, and if you have a thumb on at least one hand and know how to use a screwdriver, you can replace it yourself in 10 minutes. It's just disconnecting the battery cable and removing two torx screws.

In my case, the instrument panel is all the way dim...and the overhead lights are on...and then the next step is the dome light being OFF with no change in the instrument panel lights.

I think it's the multifunction switch.

If anybody's looking for the part, this site has a really good price. $38 w/fog lamp control and $49 w/o. (Don't ask why it's more for the one without the fog lamps). Just type "multifunction switch" in the keyword field:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocatorKeySearch&siteid=214014&chapter=DP3043&catalogid=1&year=2002&make=17&model=Liberty

Jeepsake, do you have more info or pix on the install?

Did u order from that site? Anybody use them before?

I may try this fix.

Also I have had KJ's with the headlights go on and off while parked and no key and drained batteries

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Edited after reviewing the factory service manual.

I think that's the site I used when I ordered mine, but it's been a long time. I think I paid about 10 bucks more.

The install is ridiculously simple. I'm going from memory here, but this is pretty much the drill:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait a couple of minutes. This is good advice whenever you're working on an electrical part, but possibly lifesaving when you're working around the airbag.
1a. If you have the optional tilt wheel, put the wheel in the lowest position and leave the lever unlocked.
2. Remove the two torx screws from the underside of the steering column shroud.
3. Remove the shroud. It pops into two pieces. Squeeze the top half on both sides above the seam until it snaps apart. Take note of how it fits together and the placement of the switch so you can put them back together properly.
4. Unplug the existing switch. There are two connectors to the wiring harness in the back of the switch. Carefully rock the switch and pull upward to remove it.
5. Plug in the new switch. Place it back onto the steering column and make sure that the alignment posts and tabs are properly seated.
6. Replace the shroud.
7. Replace the screws
7a. If applicable, return the steering wheel to driving position.
8. Reconnect the battery

Didn't get a chance to take pics. But if you just pay attention when you're taking it apart, you should have no problem putting it back together. It's seriously a 10-minute job.

Thanks JeepSkate. Good info.

I also found this TSB on another site which begs the question given that this impacts mostly 2002-2003 KJ's which are now out of warranty, will Chyrsler goodwill repair this? When I called Chrysler, they said they aren't aware of any issues and had to see a dealership.

TSB 08-026-01 on switch
SUBJECT:
Trip Computer And/Or Radio Display And/Or Instrument Panel And/Or Overhead/Dome Lights Flicker
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves diagnosing the root cause of the flickering trip computer or radio display and/or instrument panel illumination and/or overhead/dome lights and replacing the multifunction switch.
MODELS:
2001 - 2002 (JR) Sebring/Sebring Convertible/Stratus 2002 (KJ) Liberty
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Some subject vehicles may exhibit a flickering trip computer and/or radio display, instrument panel illumination, and/or overhead/dome lights. This condition occurs intermittently but is usually noticed while the driver operates the turn signals or beam change on the left stalk switch. This condition will not adversely affect vehicle operation and can be temporarily corrected by adjusting the instrument panel illumination dimmer setting. DO NOT change the position of the dimmer switch on the multifunction switch prior to Diagnosis.
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Physically check to ensure the instrument panel cross car beam ground is good. The left kick panel must be removed to see if the ground is loose.
2. Next check the dimmer switch output voltage with a DRBIII®. This function is located in: Body, Body Computer, Sensor Display, Dimming Level. DO NOT change the position of the dimmer switch before monitoring the voltage across the switch.
3. While monitoring the voltage, activate the turn signal and beam change and look for output voltage fluctuations on the DRBIII® and instrument panel lamps or trip computer display flicker. If the voltage varies more than 0.2 volts perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
AR (1) 04608601AI Switch, JR Multifunction w/o Fog Lamps,
AR (1) 04608602AJ Switch, JR Multifunction w/ Front & Rear Fog
Lamps, International Markets
AR (1) 04608603AI Switch, JR Multifunction w/ Fog Lamps 08-026-01 -2-
AR (1) 04608604AI Switch, JR Multifunction w/ Rear Fog Lamps,
International Markets
AR (1) 56010125AD Switch, KJ Multifunction w/o Fog Lamps
AR (1) 56010133AD Switch, KJ Multifunction w/ Front & Rear Fog
Lamps, International Markets
AR (1) 56010126AD Switch, KJ Multifunction w/ Fog Lamps
AR (1) 56010132AD Switch, KJ Multifunction w/ Rear Fog Lamps,
International Markets
NOTE: KJ SWITCHES MUST HAVE A BUILD DATE CODE OF 2781 OR HIGHER. THE BUILD DATE CODE IS FOUND ON THE THIRD LINE OF THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH BAR CODE LABEL. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
DRBIII® Scan Tool
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
NOTE: DO NOT REPLACE THE TRIP COMPUTER, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, OR BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) FOR A TRIP COMPUTER AND/OR RADIO DISPLAY, INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION OR OVERHEAD/DOME LIGHT FLICKER CONDITION UNLESS PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AS BEING THE CAUSE OF THE CONDITION.

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I think it'd be a hopeless effort to try to get a dealer to eat the cost on it once the warranty's up. This was a known issue years ago. Some of us either developed the problem later (which is why the warranty period has a limit) or (like me) didn't get around to addressing while it was under warranty. If they had issued a recall it'd be another matter. Thanks for posting the TSB. The information on the build date for the switches is good to know. I don't know what the date on my replacement switch was, but it's been working fine for 60,000 miles, so I must've got a good one. I doubt if many of the older switches are still floating around now, but that's good info to have for anybody buying a replacement.

I've edited my earlier post with some more install information from the factory service manual.

I did this here and the problem went away. Nice and cheap way to fix! I love it. Thanks for all the good feed back.

If there's a faulty electrical connection inside the switch, it's still a problem...you just don't experience it.

bad connections cause fires.

Have a nice day!

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