How does opening the door activate the interior light (97 Brighton Wagon)

[kapjim]

The last time I had reason to think about this on a car, it was just a
button that got pushed closed when you closed the door. Well, my
interior light is no longer activated by the drivers door - passenger
door still works fine. But I can't find any button that could be
stuck. I do see some flex tubing running from the body into the door
but can't figure exactly what that might have to do with my problem.
So the question is how do I get my light to come on when I open the
garage door?

TIA
Jim

 

[S]

Hi Jim!

The last time I had reason to think about this on a car, it was just a
button that got pushed closed when you closed the door. Well, my
interior light is no longer activated by the drivers door - passenger
door still works fine. But I can't find any button that could be
stuck. I do see some flex tubing running from the body into the door
but can't figure exactly what that might have to do with my problem.
So the question is how do I get my light to come on when I open the
garage door?

TIA

I don't know about your Legacy, but on my '99 Forester, there is a
switch with a rubber accordion boot on the "B" pillar just below the
hoop where the door latch grabs (had to go look . . .).

Looks like you can get to it by puling the plastic door sill, and then
the "B" pillar plastic cover.

Subarus being the kindly beasts that they are, I can't imagine that
the Legacy is all that different, but ???

Write back and let us know what you find.

As far as getting it to work with your _garage_ door, you'll probably
have to install one of those fancy home automation kits . . . ;-)

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[kapjim]

Hi Jim!



I don't know about your Legacy, but on my '99 Forester, there is a
switch with a rubber accordion boot on the "B" pillar just below the
hoop where the door latch grabs (had to go look . . .).

Looks like you can get to it by puling the plastic door sill, and then
the "B" pillar plastic cover.

Subarus being the kindly beasts that they are, I can't imagine that
the Legacy is all that different, but ???

Write back and let us know what you find.

As far as getting it to work with your _garage_ door, you'll probably
have to install one of those fancy home automation kits . . . ;-)

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

Thanks I found the switch. I was looking on the hinged end of the
door, which is where I remembered them being on older cars. Will see
what's involved in replacing it if need be,

Whoops...
There were words missing in my original post, which should have ended
"So the question is how do I get my light to come on? There's not
enough light with which to see at nighty from the light on the opener
when I open the garage door?

 

[weelliott]

The last time I had reason to think about this on a car, it was just a
button that got pushed closed when you closed the door.  Well, my
interior light is no longer activated by the drivers door - passenger
door still works fine.  But I can't find any button that could be
stuck.  I do see some flex tubing running from the body into the door
but can't figure exactly what that might have to do with my problem.
So the question is how do I get my light to come on when I open the
garage door?

TIA
Jim

This actually reminds me of a question I have had for a while. Where
is the actuator for the light on the rear hatch? I have a 95 and a 98
legacy wagon, and I see no buttons on either.

 

[David]

Jim,

The '96 and '97 Brightons have a sort of slider switch mounted on the
body of the vehicle between the two doors. The slider on my '96 is
black plastic with the metal switch contacts inside. You will see a
screw holding the switch to the body of the car. Remove that screw and
remove the switch by lifting and pulling it out of the hole. Disconnect
the wire. It just slides on to the bayonet connector and take the
switch into the house. Because these switches are exposed to the
outside world, they get some carrosion and lose contact. clean up the
contact surfaces and you'll get a nice bright lite when you open the
door. Good luck!
David

 

[kapjim]

Jim,

The '96 and '97 Brightons have a sort of slider switch mounted on the
body of the vehicle between the two doors. The slider on my '96 is
black plastic with the metal switch contacts inside. You will see a
screw holding the switch to the body of the car. Remove that screw and
remove the switch by lifting and pulling it out of the hole. Disconnect
the wire. It just slides on to the bayonet connector and take the
switch into the house. Because these switches are exposed to the
outside world, they get some carrosion and lose contact. clean up the
contact surfaces and you'll get a nice bright lite when you open the
door. Good luck!
David

Thanks, when it warms up again I'll take another look but I think part
of the switch is actually broken. If that's the case I'll just swap
it for the working one on the right (and clean that while I am at it).
I am the only person in the car 99% of the time.