Interior lights hinge switch

[susannahall]

I have an ex-British Gas 2005 medium roof 330SWB, purchased May 2010. Love it, but have a rear interior light problem. When I first got the van, after about a week I had to keep jump-starting it. When I had time to look, the telescopic hinge switch (about 4cm long, 3 or four sections had been bent towards the van interior, so was not retracting and turning off lights. (not surprising as it was so long). Took it to garage under warranty, as it had a seperate problem too (starter motor was replaced as van had juddered to a halt in heavy traffic and died). I presumed batterry had drained/died as bent switch had pulled off connecting spade terminal. Got van back with empty hole where switch had been. Had to replace battery two months ago, but already having trouble starting again. Discovered rear interior lights only go off when I lock with fob remote, otherwise lights are on as I ignite/drive/ etc. Pain as I have to lock when working, even on a private driveway, plus if I'm double locked in, no-one can pull me or my lovely dog out of van in an accident!!
Might drop back in to sales garage, but did ask electician what he'd done and he talked fast and rubbish. Have tried attaching to still dangling spade terminal with wire, but when I ground it, lights stay on.

Anybody know what to look for next? Please help if poss.

Aaaaarghhhh

Pipewench

[75psT330lwb]

lights should come on when a door switch is earthed as thats how it works. i would think there is a short in one of wires either in loom in rear door or loom down side of van. when u turn ignition on even if u have deadlocked it it will turn the deadlock off for that reason.

[APH]

The pinswitch has nothing to do with interior lights, front or rear unless its the sliding door one. If its the passenger one, its only for the ford alarm, if its drivers one, its alarm and side lights on warning buzzer, rear door one is just for alarm, and slide door is alarm / interior lights.

Dissconnecting it will only make the alarm module think the door is shut all the time, and / or the lights warning not work.

The interior lights are controlled by the central locking module, and the door switches that trigger them are inside the door lock / latch / motor assembly.

The lights should come on when door is opened or central locking is unlocked, then stay on for 30 seconds, even if door is closed, they go off immediately if ignition is turned on, or doors are locked again. Theres two lights in the cab, does the front one do the same as the back one, as they should both work together and you should be able to switch of the rear lights by turning off the rear cab light (switch in middle position)

Which pinswitch did you suspect to be the cause?
Its more likely to be fault concerning central locking, especally if someone has tried to add or modify it with an aftermarket alarm / entry system etc.