Car is cold , lights are off , open door...lights still off....start car dome lights come on and stay on (while driving) stop car , turn off , lights go off after a few minits

Hi, have you checked the switch at the dome light, the switch usually has 3 positions, 1 for off, 2 for on when a door is open and 3 for on all the time, just move the switch to the appropriate position.
Another thing to check is the door switches, located in the door frame where the door will close against them (usually covered by a rubber grommet in modern vehicles) open one door at a time and try pushing the switch making sure it moves freely in and out and check if the light goes out when pressed right in, if you find a faulty door switch it will need to be replaced.
Trust this helps
Regards Alan

In the Ford Ranger, the light switch can be found in the door, right by the latch. You may need to use some WD-40 to get to work properly. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zed bull

i would hazard a guess and say that wires in the rubber boot from the door pilar to the door are damaged or the connection block in the door pillar in this the terminals are corroded or something similar

Check for corroded wire connector kick pad driver side clean wire try this or change the connector

i must say that i feel your pain with this,, my door ajar light does the same thing but my dome light doesn't come on when the doors are open, i have to flick the switch on the dome light to make it come on. In my opion and i stress my opion it saounds like a issue with the body controller, im not sure what ford calls it but it controls all the body functions, i dont think the low coolant light is connected to the body contoller but i dont know this for sure, i think that light is controlled bny the engine ecm. some times a dealer can connect to the body controller and see if there are any fault codes for circuits that it controls and or monitors, also they can reflash or update the configeration and or calibration level cause ford release's fixes for issues all the time, same theory works for any control module on a vehicle. i dont think any of the auto parts stores have the right program to connect to bofy controlers but i could be wrong, worth looking into. i only put up with mine cause i use it as a beater, if you are worried about your dome light staying on and drianing your battery then you could pull out or disconnect the dome lights for the time being, its not a fix but just a band-aid.

Been having a problem with the dome lights on a 99 chevy blazer. Still can't figure out what the problem is. There is a dome light overide button located under the dimmer wheel. When I push the overide button in the dome light goes off, but when I open any of the doors the dome light will not come on. When the overide button is out the dome light stays on all the time and will not turn off even though every door is closed. I checked all the pushbuttons and everything tests good. Has anyone had this problem and know how to fix it?

Hey there, I'm the guy with the same type problem that posted above you. You can turn off the dome light by the switch on the turn signal stalk (lever). Just rotate it to the "off" position. The interior lights on the dash and console will be dim, but you will barely be able to see the speed etc. Thats what I do.
As for the dome light staying on. Sounds like your problem is in the switch itself. I would start at the one that was just adjusted. with the door open you can flip the ting switch (the latch that closes the door) with a screwdriver and it will simulate the door being closed so you can fool with it while open.
Sounds like it could use some adjustment as it's not closing completely. It's 3 torx screws. loosen them and move the switch around a bit (you can get a little play) as the front door switch is in the latch itself. Hope this helps! and of course, if somone else has ideas please feel free to send to me, as I can't find where my switch is grounding. I'm guessing the BCM but can't find where. It's sad too, because I'm starting to really hate this car. Overheating, transmission leaks, now this...

There is a electric contact in the door to turn on the dome light when open and off when closed. It sounds like that switch is bad or the wire attached to it has fallen off behind the doorsill. It may be another door though, since all work the dome light. Try opening the other doors one by one to see if they light up the dome. Theres no guarantee because the seat or seatbelt may come into effect.

I had the same problem in my 98 and 96 Sables. Ford dealer says it is a problem with a sensor, located behind the left rear quarter panel. It doesn't recognize when the doors are closed, therefore it leaves the dome light, etc. on--sometimes briefly, but possibly until the battery goes dead. Worse when the weather is damp. Their solution was to throw it on the diagnostic computer BUT ONLY WHILE THE PROBLEM IS ACTIVELY HAPPENING, then replace the sensor--they quoted me a minimum of $300. I leave the cover off the dome light, and pull the bulb when necessary.

If it has automatic or a domelight that stays on for a while after you shut the door is on a timer relay and that is probably getting bad. As far as the door ajar message there is a switch in the door jam, look and see if you see it. Take wd40 and try to soak the switch try to get it inside the switch.If its incorporated in the door latch spray back inside the door latch real good. Open and close the door several times and see if it works then.