Another Dome Light Issue

[96GMCSierra]

On my 96 GMC the dome light, and two lights under the dash have been turning on by themselves, and I wake up to find a dead battery. It is not an issue of it not turning off when I leave the vehicle. I caught it on one night when I went outside, and I tried everything to try to get it to turn off. I played with both door latches, both door switches, the headlight switch, dimmer dial, and the overide button. Nothing would turn it off so I pulled the courtesy lamp fuse. I have checked all of the wiring and nothing is grounding it out. Also checked both door switches. My thought was to try a new light switch, or possible a computer problem, or wherever the timer is located. It started happening about a month ago in very cold weather. That may be just a coincidence however. Usually when I put the fuse back in the next day things are fine, then a day or two later the same thing happens. Not real happy about running a $120 battery dead over and over. It definately seems to weaken them. My light doesnt flicker, and never comes on when I am driving. When It happens, all I can do is pull the lamps or the fuse (which is easier). I have read some of the other forums and this problem seems a little different. My apolgies if this is a repeat of some forum that I missed. Anybody else had this particular issue? Any suggestions?

[redsled2007]

Haven't ever had this happen to me but, I'd look for a relay.

[96GMCSierra]

I'll check those out. I know some guys at the GM shop where I used to do autobody work, and I'll try to scare up some wiring diagrams. Then I at least can see all of the components involved. Thanks for the reply.

[Truckin2003]

could always pull the bulbs out. as long as the overhead light works, you dont really need to floor ones. I know this is just a quick fix to the problem, but it would work.

[96GMCSierra]

It is affecting both underdash lights and the dome light. Pulling the floor lamps would only slow down the discharge on the battery. I initially started out by pulling the floor bulbs and it had no effect on the dome light. Thanks anyway.

[ewiski]

if all else fails you could put led bulbs in and that would bring the current drain down a lot.

[HawkScot]

Normally dome lights and such are activating by grounding a wire (such as the door open switch, etc). Most likely one of the wires or switches is intermittent. I would change out the driver door switch first since it is the most used. If you can catch it happening, don't open the driver door, instead go around to the passenger side. Carefully open the door and close it, I bet your lights stay on, where if you open the driver door, you are 'resetting' the suspect switch. Just a thought, good luck.

[96GMCSierra]

I am going to price the light switch today, and probably just put in both door switches on the sides of the dash since they are a simple item and relatively inexpensive. If I take it to the dealer they will just end up replacing stuff untill it is fixed anyway, and it would probably sit up there for a week for the problem to keep showing up. I understand how the light being grounded turns it on, just not familiar with the timer, if that could act up. Read someplace that it is controled by the computer. Thanks for the reply. I will let you guys know if I find the problem.