Lighting questions

[John Padmore]

I have a rotary dimmer switch above the thermostat in the living area of our '97 Patriot that is marked "Indirect lights" but can't find any lights that it controls. Any thoughts?

Also, there are 2 small round lights above the seats in the drivers compartment. Sometimes they are on, and sometimes they are off. Does anyone know what controls these lights? A mystery to me....! Thanks.....

John

[Joel Ashley]

The lights over your driver, and probably passenger, areas are probably your map lights which are likely controlled the old fashioned way - by rotating your headlight switch fully one way.

Joel

[John Padmore]

Joel, you are right - LOL! I was getting so frustrated trying to figure these systems out. Thanks for the help!

John

[Joel Ashley]

You're welcome.  Wish I could help with your "indirect light" switch.  Dimmers like that obviously dim and brighten by the knob rotating, but some actually switch on and off at full rotation (like your headlight switch), and others switch on and off by pressing the knob in.  Hopefully another '97 Patriot owner will speak up here and advise on which lamps the switch controls exactly.  Sounds like a set of lights behind a valance or upper trim.  The lamps could be shot or a fuse blown too.  Make sure you test in dark conditions with the knob fully one way or the other.

Joel