Interior Lighting Doesn't work

[Yoshicoby]

My Interior lighting doesn't work. My stereo works, my a/c works, my cigarette lighter works, my gages and instrument panel lights work, my power locks and windows work, my power seat works. But my interior courtesy lights (dome, accent, and vanity) DO NOT work. I've checked all the fuses and bulbs, and they are all good. The lights don't come on when I open the doors, nor when I use the switches. Any ideas? Thanks!

(1998 Bonneville SE)

[Yoshicoby]

Also, car had an aftermarket stereo and alarm when I bought it if those could be a factor. (alarm disabled)

[harofreak00]

Do the keyfobs work?

Sounds like it could be the BCM (body control module)

[Ragsdale]

Might sound stupid.. but have you tried turning the lights knob? My Bonneville is pretty picky.

[Yoshicoby]

I have tried the knob switch. Doesn't turn on the lights. What is a keyfob?

[Yoshicoby]

Okay, keyfob. Yeah it works.

[harofreak00]

I still put my money on the BCM. If nobody helps you by tomorrow, I'll be home to check out my FSM's to get more info.

[BillBoost37]

When you tested the fuses, how did you test them?

[Yoshicoby]

I didn't test the fuses, just pulled each one out and looked at them.

[Ragsdale]

I didn't test the fuses, just pulled each one out and looked at them.

Use a test light with the fuses still in the fuse panel.

[BillBoost37]

My reason for asking that was partially because sometimes you can't see the fuse as bad. 99% you can, but that 1% can drive a guy nuts.

Another is that when you pulled the fuses, did you look at the contacts where the fuse is pushed in the holder. I have noted many fuses in our cars that have heated contacts. They look brown and that can also cause a perfectly good fuse to keep from relaying the power through it and to the other fusebox connector.

[Yoshicoby]

I will check that. So, you're saying there's possibly one fuse that controls only the interior courtesy lights and nothing else, which could be the source of the problem?

[Yoshicoby]

I've tested all the fuses, and they're all good. Next idea?

[Yoshicoby]

anyone have any suggestions?

[Mechanical Mike]

Have you checked the ground bus on both the passenger & driver's side? If not let's start there.

[Yoshicoby]

What is the ground bus, and where is it?

[harofreak00]

Its where all the ground connections are routed to the body. You can find them on the driver and passenger side near the front of the door trim molding.

[Mechanical Mike]

If the ground bus looks good then PM me with an email address & I'll send you a wiring diagram and some info from the factory service manual. If the bus has any corrosion then make sure you clean both the male & female terminals.

[Yoshicoby]

the ground buses were both fine. Where should I look next?

[Mechanical Mike]

I sent you some info from the FSM that shows the location of the BCM & the procedure for the "bong test". Let us know what you find.