Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Grandpa17 on January 07, 2020, 08:29:05 pm
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For anyone with a newer E 450 or 350, is there a trick to turning on the dome lights? Neither of ours work no matter the ignition key position. Can’t find anything in the Ford owners manual so I’m not sure if these lights are Ford OEM or PC.
Thanks in advance.
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There is a switch between the 2 DC outlets on the dash, in one direction the DC outlets and the lights above work off the chassis battery, the other direction off the house battery, and I am not sure what the middle position does.
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That is interesting faiello.
If I can recall correctly for our older 2007 Ford E350 chassis....
Ours turns on when you have two things set right.
1) the push/pull headlight control switch is turned to the right to the "click"
2) the rocker switch on the dome light base is turned on (one rocker switch per light)
The pair of dome lights get power from the chassis battery, but you don't need the key in the ignition for them to work.
What I can't recall is if they can be set to work like a regular car, turning on and off when you open and close one of the van doors.
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There is a switch between the 2 DC outlets on the dash, in one direction the DC outlets and the lights above work off the chassis battery, the other direction off the house battery, and I am not sure what the middle position does.
I'd bet the middle position is neither battery...just guessing. Our older coach does not have this option, would be nice to have.
Dougn
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Could you please send a photo of that switch between the DC on the dash.
Our dome light comes on transiently when the door is open. (you don't need a key in the ignition) The light will then go off in a minute or so once the door is closed. This occurs if the toggle switch between the dome lights are pushed to the left. If the toggle switch is on the right the light will not come on if the door is open. It would be nice if we were able to turn the light independent of the door being open. This would be nice if one were stopped and needed to look for something in the cab without having to opening the door.
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The switch between the 2 DC outlets. When I first got my PC I could figure out why my radio wouldn't shut off when I turned of the Ford engine that when i was told about the switch.
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The switch between the 2 DC outlets. When I first got my PC I could figure out why my radio wouldn't shut off when I turned of the Ford engine that when i was told about the switch.
On our 2010 the radio, dome lights, mirror temp and heading stay on for 15 minutes after the ignition switch is turned off, as per in the manual.
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For anyone with a newer E 450 or 350, is there a trick to turning on the dome lights? Neither of ours work no matter the ignition key position. Can’t find anything in the Ford owners manual so I’m not sure if these lights are Ford OEM or PC.
Thanks in advance.
Do the 12v outlets on the dash work? Could be the fuse?
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Frank - Beth,
Our 2017 - 2910 D does not have the switch located between the 2 DC outlets. As explained to me this switch provides the ability to use the radio when the ignition is not turned on. And that this switch was not used in 2017. Who might know is Doug or Dave at PC......
dave - karen
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I was told by the factory that the switch is only installed when the Navigation option is purchased.
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Hmmm.....
2019 2552. Have the switch; do not have navigation.
To be fair, I did have them install a different Pioneer headset (wanted Sirius and bluetooth phone; just don't like in-dash navigation).
Maybe with any aftermarket unit?
Mike
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On our 2014, our map lights look just like as shown above. However, there are 2 rocker switches, one switch controls one side, other the other. Can’t make them come on with door position.
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For anyone with a newer E 450 or 350, is there a trick to turning on the dome lights? Neither of ours work no matter the ignition key position. Can’t find anything in the Ford owners manual so I’m not sure if these lights are Ford OEM or PC.
Thanks in advance.
Do the 12v outlets on the dash work? Could be the fuse?
Yes, the 12v outlets work
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Okay, I finally had a chance to do some experimenting. Here's what I found with the ignition having been off at least long enough for the courtesy parking lights to go out:
I can turn the dome lights on before the ignition key is inserted.
If I insert the ignition key, but don't turn it, they stay lit
As soon as I turn the ignition key they go out
If I return the ignition key to the locked, or off position, the lights remain off
As soon as I remove the ignition key they turn on
If I simply re-insert the ignition key - even without turning it, the lights go out
If I remove the key again, they turn on
If I open the driver door, get out and wait a while for the parking lights to go out and get back in they act as described above
Very confusing why they are wired like this. Possibly it's a new safety requirement that they can't work while driving?
I also found that the 3 position switch on the dash only controls the right 12v socket as well as power to the in-dash radio. The left 12v socket remains on all the time, even with the ignition key removed.
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Maybe you should just give the ghost living behind your dash a great name and enjoy him/her....
Dougn
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Here is the answer to your dome light question. There is a switch at the dome lights that will turn them off so when you open the door they will not turn on. If you leave that switch in the on position and so when the door opens they come on then you can do this. Let the courtesy light timer wind down so the lights turn off while you are sitting in the drivers seat, then reach down with your left hand and rotate the dash dimmer switch all the way up until you feel it click and look at your dome lights, they are on. The confusion is because the on off switch between the dome lights.
The switch below the radio is for the starting battery or coach batteries, so when your parked you can listen to the radio off of your house batteries. This was spec'd by the original owner of my PC and then adopted for follow on coaches I believe, so late in 2017 I believe it became standard...
Hope that helps and happy travels!
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This is why I appreciate the forum..... I have been trying to understand how to use the dome lights for the past couple of years. Now I know....... how to control the dome light using the dimmer switch when the courtesy lights go off....
thanks again,,,
dave and karen
2017 -2910D
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Here is the answer to your dome light question. There is a switch at the dome lights that will turn them off so when you open the door they will not turn on. If you leave that switch in the on position and so when the door opens they come on then you can do this. Let the courtesy light timer wind down so the lights turn off while you are sitting in the drivers seat, then reach down with your left hand and rotate the dash dimmer switch all the way up until you feel it click and look at your dome lights, they are on. The confusion is because the on off switch between the dome lights.
The switch below the radio is for the starting battery or coach batteries, so when your parked you can listen to the radio off of your house batteries. This was spec'd by the original owner of my PC and then adopted for follow on coaches I believe, so late in 2017 I believe it became standard...
Hope that helps and happy travels!
Awesome! Hadn’t thought of that. Makes sense now. Agree, this is what makes the forum so great!