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Chevrolet Silverado: Why Do My Interior Lights Stay On?

Sensors and connectors are some common culprits behind interior lights remaining on. While the solutions are generally quite simple and straightforward, you may need to do a bit of investigating to determine the source of the problem.

By Kate Halse - June 10, 2015
Contributors: Joe477

This article applies to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (1999-present).

There are many reasons why your Silverado 1500's interior lights might stay on. While the culprit could be as simple as a door that's been left open, there are a number of other potential causes as well. For example, the problem might be due to a blown fuse or a faulty switch. Fortunately, the underlying issues are generally quite easy to address and resolve. Here's a closer look at some reasons why your interior lights aren't turning off when you want them to.

Materials Needed (optional)

  • Replacement bulbs
  • New Body Control Module

Step 1 – Check the doors

If you can't find any mechanical problem that could cause the lights to remain on, thoroughly check all the doors. A door that's left open even a small amount can cause the interior lights to stay on. A few Silverado owners also note that failing to close the doors hard enough on some newer models may cause the interior lights to remain illuminated.

Step 2 – Check the "door open" sensor

The sensor is more likely to be the culprit if the interior lights remain on and are accompanied by a "door ajar" message or light. You will need to remove the dash kit around the steering wheel and radio then pull it out to access the sensor. There is a small connector switch that you can pull off the door open sensor. If the sensor is the culprit, this should resolve the problem.

Figure 1. Removing dash trim.

If neither the doors nor the sensor are the culprit, move on to Step 3.

Step 3 – Is the BCM faulty?

A faulty BCM (body control module) can cause the interior lights to remain on. If the BCM is fried, the lights will typically come on and remain on, whether you're driving or the car is parked. The BCM is often fried due to a short between the rear dome light and an air temperature sensor towards the back of the passenger area. The short occurs when the power is fed back to the BCM. Many owners report paying at least $700 to resolve this issue, which typically requires a trip to the dealership or auto repair shop.

Figure 2. Body Control Module.

If the BCM is fine, move on to Step 4.

Step 4 – Check for burned out bulbs

It is possible that one or more bulbs may be burned out, which can wreak havoc on the interior lighting system. Be sure to inspect the dome lights for any burned out or malfunctioning bulbs. If you do find a burned out bulb, replace it with a proper alternative.

Figure 3. Replace any burned out bulbs.

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