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Dodge Dakota (ND). Manual - part 321

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

2. Insert the tip of a small flat bladed screwdriver into

the notch (5) between the lens (2) and the housing
(1) on one side of the dome lamp.

3. Gently pry the end of the lens outward until it

unsnaps from the housing.

4. Swing the lens outward until it is perpendicular to

the housing.

5. Pull the lens hinge/retainer end (3) of the housing

outward slightly from the headliner, then slide the
exposed end of the housing away from the mount-
ing hole far enough to disengage the fixed retainer
(4) on the notched end from the headliner.

6. Pull the lamp away from the headliner mounting

hole far enough to access and disconnect the wire
harness connector from the back of the lamp.

7. Remove the lamp from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION

BULB - FRONT

CAUTION: Always use the correct bulb size and type for replacement. An incorrect bulb size or type may
overheat and cause damage to the lamp, the socket and/or the lamp wiring.

1. With the dome lamp lens (1) in the open position,

align the ends of the bulb (3) with the two bulb
holders within the front dome lamp housing (2).

2. Carefully press the bulb firmly and evenly into the

bulb holders until it snaps into place.

3. Reinstall the lamp into the headliner. (Refer to 8 -

ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING

INTERIOR/

FRONT DOME LAMP - INSTALLATION).

4. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

8L - 146

LAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIOR - SERVICE INFORMATION

LAMP - FRONT

1. Position the dome lamp unit (1) to the mounting

hole in the headliner.

2. Reconnect the wire harness connector to the con-

nector on the back of the lamp.

3. Insert the fixed retainer on the notched end (3) of

the lamp housing up into one side of the mounting
hole in the headliner.

4. Slide the notched end of the housing into the

mounting hole far enough to engage the lens
hinge/retainer (4) into the opposite side of the hole
in the headliner.

5. Gently and evenly press the lens hinge/retainer

end of the lamp upward into the mounting hole until
the bezel of the lamp housing is flush with the
headliner.

6. Swing the notched end of the lamp lens (2) up into

position against the lamp housing, then press
upward on the lens firmly and evenly until it snaps
into the housing.

7. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

BULB - REAR

CAUTION: Always use the correct bulb size and type for replacement. An incorrect bulb size or type may
overheat and cause damage to the lamp, the socket and/or the lamp wiring.

NOTE: There are two types of dome lamps available in this model: one with a switch (2) that is activated by
depressing the lamp lens, and one without a switch. The bulb types and service procedures are identical for
both of these lamps.

1. Align the ends of the bulb (3) with the two bulb

holders within the rear dome lamp housing (1).

2. Carefully press the bulb firmly and evenly into the

bulb holders until it snaps into place.

3. Swing the notched end of the lens (4) up into posi-

tion against the housing, then press upward on the
lens firmly and evenly until it snaps into the hous-
ing.

4. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

LAMP - REAR

NOTE: There are two types of dome lamps available in this model: one with a switch that is activated by
depressing the lamp lens, and one without a switch. The bulb types and service procedures are identical for
both of these lamps.

LAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIOR - SERVICE INFORMATION

8L - 147

1. Position the dome lamp (1) to the mounting hole in

the headliner.

2. Reconnect the wire harness connector to the con-

nector on the back of the lamp.

3. Insert the fixed retainer on the notched end (4) of

the lamp housing up into one side of the mounting
hole in the headliner.

4. Slide the notched end of the housing into the

mounting hole far enough to engage the lens
hinge/retainer (3) into the opposite side of the hole
in the headliner.

5. Gently and evenly press the lens hinge/retainer

end of the lamp into the mounting hole until the
bezel of the lamp housing is flush with the head-
liner.

6. Swing the notched end of the lamp lens (2) into

position against the lamp housing, then press on
the lens firmly and evenly until it snaps into the
housing.

7. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

DOOR AJAR SWITCH

DESCRIPTION

This vehicle has up to four door ajar switches, one for each full door. Each switch is concealed within and integral
to its respective door latch unit. The switches are momentary leaf contact-type units that are actuated by the mech-
anisms internal to the door latch. A short pigtail wire and connector on each door latch connects the door ajar switch
to the vehicle electrical system through its respective door wire harness. The door ajar switches cannot be adjusted
or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the door latch unit must be replaced. (Refer to 23 - BODY/DOOR - FRONT/
LATCH - REMOVAL) or (Refer to 23 - BODY/DOOR - REAR/LATCH - REMOVAL).

OPERATION

The door ajar switches are actuated by the mechanisms internal to the door latch. When a door is closed and
properly latched, its door ajar switch is an open circuit. When a door is open or only partially latched, the door ajar
switch is a closed circuit. The door ajar switches are hard wired in series between a body ground and the Electro-
Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC).

The EMIC reads the hard wired door ajar switch inputs through internal pull-ups, then uses these inputs to control
many electronic functions and features of the vehicle. The EMIC also sends the proper switch status messages to
other electronic modules over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.

The door ajar switches can be diagnosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools and methods. Refer to the
appropriate wiring information. However, conventional diagnostic methods may not prove conclusive in the diagnosis
of the EMIC, the CAN data bus, or the electronic message inputs or outputs used to convey door ajar switch status
to other modules in the vehicle. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the EMIC, the CAN
data bus, and both the hard wired and electronic message inputs and outputs affected by the door ajar switch inputs
requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

8L - 148

LAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIOR - SERVICE INFORMATION

LAMP-GLOVE BOX

REMOVAL

BULB

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental
restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification sys-
tem, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect
and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge
before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the supplemental
restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

2. Remove the glove box from the instrument panel.

(Refer

BODY/INSTRUMENT

PANEL/

GLOVE BOX - REMOVAL).

3. Reach through the window (3) behind the instru-

ment panel glove box opening (1) to access the
bulb on the glove box lamp and switch (2).

4. Pull the base of the bulb straight out of the bulb

holder.

LAMP/SWITCH

LAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIOR - SERVICE INFORMATION

8L - 149

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