Overhead Interior Lights Rocker Switch failure

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by IABoy987, Sep 12, 2025 at 10:28 PM.

  1. IABoy987

    IABoy987 Member

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    On the overhead panel with the two personal interior lights, has a three position rocker switch that either keeps lights off or on, and center position controls interior lights when a door is opened/closed. We very seldom have needed to move switch from center position and was surprised when lights did not illuminate.

    Can get lights to go on by jiggling the rocker to the "on" side, but then go off with vibration. So conclude the switch has gone bad. Checked the owners manual and does not appear to be any other control switch that would keep lights off.

    Has anyone experienced this failure? Can I "easily" replace the switch or is this something that best left to ($$$) Toyota dealer?
     
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Are you sure it's a bad switch; not a bad bulb connection? If the lamp stops working due to vibration - I'd lean more towards connection issue.
    I've replaced mine with LED bulbs (T10) so I'm pretty familiar with the internals there. It's pretty easy to access; several youtube videos to get in there.

    Hope this helps.....
     
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  3. IABoy987

    IABoy987 Member

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    Thanks.
    If I hold the switch to ON position bulbs stay on OK. When I let go bulbs may or may not stay lit. If I push the centered rocker up hard then lights come on with door open, and when door closes, lamps will time out and dim out like they used to do. So that tells me its the switch or bad connection that is causing the lamp outages.

    What terms would I search on YouTube to find how to access the switch removal/replacement?
     
  4. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    This should get you close.

     
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  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    The Japanese use grease in electrical connection to prevent corrosion and fluid invasion. It's a common practice. If you can bend those contacts in a bit and perhaps use some contact cleaner, should resolve your problem. $180 isn't too bad, maybe a junk yard replacement is in order.....