security light on dash and overhead light above the dash

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 12 Dec 2025, 10:56

Greetings all from the upper arctic North Country of NYS!!

The security light on my dash that flashes red is not flashing when all the doors are locked. Haven't checked the fuses yet but hoping that's all it needs. If the fuse is okay, what else should I be looking for that might cause the security light to not turn on! How likely is the bulb needing to be replaced and how is that done? The dash cover at the center where the security light is located is already cracked, so that might mean some sort of disfunction or dash removal prior to my ownership.

At the same time as the security light stopped flashing (or at least nearby) the overhead light, that goes on when the car is shut off, door opened and closed, and car doors locked, is not working. Is there a trick to removing the plastic cover over the light bulb. And if the bulb has not burned out, what else should I be checking (aside from the fuse)? When the switch is moved to the other two settings, the light works (that tells me the bulb is not burnt). Not sure what else I might look at/for.

As I think back on when these two issues arose, the overnight weather up here got significantly colder (like below zero) and the car would not start the next morning. After hooking up jumper cables and letting the two create a relationship, the car started! But before that when I tried to start the car, the dash lit up with dashes and zeros, and I heard clicking noises from the motor. That might mean something but I'm clueless!

I have connected a trickle charger to the battery the last three nights and the car started up each morning. The non-working lights mentioned above still do not work.

Appreciate your help!
Stay warm

Post by **abscate** » 13 Dec 2025, 10:05

Are you squeezing the last years of life from a 5 year old battery, like me?

0F will take any marginal battery to death. You might want a 5 amp charger or so to hit on those cold days. I’ve got a couple down here consolidated from moves. If I can conform they work I’ll send you one

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 13 Dec 2025, 18:43

I did watch a few YouTube videos of ways to test batteries and alternators. But, before that I checked the fuses for the interior lights and the security light on the dash; those appeared to be good. Then I thought I would try to gain access to the panel that holds the dome light and the switches. I was able to get part of the panel off, and played with the switch that did not work. Well, it started working!!!! So, I put the panel back up on the ceiling, checking the switch again after securing it...the light and switch continued to work! I must have hit enough bumps on the road to jar the panel with the switches so it was only partially working.
Also, I checked the ceiling lights that come on when the rear doors are opened. One seemd loose, but the other was definitely non-functional. I did pull that switch out of the ceiling handle and still need to separate the wiring from the switch. Next is to find a replacement at a salvage yard as the switch is broken. I will have to take a closer look at the switch that seemed loose to see if there is anything I can do before it needs to be replaced.
And, once all that was done, closed the doors and hood, and locked the car with the key fob, the security light on the dash started working!!!! It's been a few hours since I did all that, and will go out to start the car shortly; am hoping I don't need to attach the trickle charger. If I do, then I'll have to test the battery and alternator in the morning. There is one grounding strap that needs to be replaced that might impede a fully charged battery.