Expert: Skip Bollinger - 8/10/2010

Question
In my 1989 Dodge Ram 1500 the driver side frt.door won't turn off the doom light when you close the door. We had to wad up a piece of tape on the button so the light will go off. What is that button called, and what could be with the button that adding a wad of tape to turns the light out?

Answer
Susan,
  Thank you for a "parts" question. You would not believe how many "repair" questions I get!! Thank you, again.
  First of all, it is not a doom light unless you take the truck to the drive in a lot. It is called a dome light or courtesy light and the switch is called a dome light or courtesy light door switch. Some people call it a door jam switch.
  The switch is adjustable. By putting a wad of tape on the switch, you have "adjusted" the switch. It threads into the door jam. IF you can get to the plug on the back of the switch, you can unplug the wires and unscrew the switch from the jam about 1-1 1/2 turns, whatever the thickness of the wad of tape is and it should work without the tape. Remember this, the IMPORTANT thing is to know the thickness of the wad of tape. This is your "measurement" for how far out of the body of the truck the switch need to stick, from the hex on the switch to the body of the truck. This is measured from the hex on the switch to the body of the truck. You may be only looking at a 1/16", depending on the thickness of the wad of tape.   
  However, IF the threads in the jam are stripped out, this could get a bit "scientific". Are the threads on the switch stripped or are the threads in the body of the cab stripped? The cab is usually the problem.
  The easiest fix is to look at the thickness of the tape and make a "shim" to slide over the threads on the switch and then screw it into the body of the truck. The shim would go between the hex on the switch and the body of the truck. IF the threads are too loose, you may need to glue the switch to the body of the truck using something like 3M glue, part number 8001. It is sometimes called Yellow Death or Gorilla Snot. VERY good glue and you will NOT NEED MUCH!!
  Now, IF the threads on the switch are stripped, you will need to go to your local parts store and ask for a Standard Ignition part number DS164. IF that doesn't fly, you can ask for a Chrysler part number 3747289 or 5209851. It is also available from a G.M. Dealer under the part numbers 391307, 1704234, 9662504, 9662504, 9839085 or 9852254.
  Now, IF, Susan, NO ONE CAN help you, get back with me and I'll do my best to find a switch for you. (IF you need one..)
  Don't know where in the country you are but I'm in the Mid-West. Temps over 100. Please stay COOL and drink plenty of water. Personally, it is 7:00p.m. and I'm going for a Bud.
Skip