Hi Scotty, being a lifelong backyard mechanic I really enjoy your channel, I watch daily if I have the time. I just bought a one-owner 2001 Toyota Sienna with only 97.5K original miles on it, (for $1K believe it or not). It sat under a tree for 3 years, but after changing all fluids, emptying the gas tank, clearing all codes, putting in a new battery & new tires I got it running perfectly with one exception, (it passed CA smog with flying colors); dome lights & keyless entry do not work. No blown fuses inside or out, no bad bulbs, and I changed the battery in the fob, still nothing. Since I removed a couple of mouse nests from the engine compartment I looked carefully top/bottom both for chewed wiring but found none. I was told there is a relay attached to the back of the inside fuse box that may be the culprit but I cannot see anything like that, (while standing on my head of course, not easy for guys our age as you know), although I have not taken the outside panel off for better visibility, (yes I know, I'll do that next). I checked a Haynes manual, owners manual and dozens of YouTube videos, I found no joy there either. I'm officially stumped, what would you suggest I do to diagnose this problem? Thanks ahead of time.
Back of the fuse block.
It gets its Power for the interior lights and door locks from the DOME fuse.
It also gets power for other functions from the Gauge fuse.
It has to have at least one Ground too.
It's really a BCM so I'm not sure if a replacement has to be programed or not.
You may want to get a pinout diagram for that connector and make sure it's getting Power and Ground on the proper wires before condemning it as faulty. (maybe ALLDATA DIY)
I thought you have a problem with the door lock switches the dome doesn't work and if any Toyota product senses that all the doors are not closed it will not allow the keyless entry system to work lock or unlock doors
The doors are all closed, the "door open" light works just fine, in fact it makes a very rude buzzing sound when a door isn't closed. It has to be an electrical problem of some sort before or after the fuses box, I just thought you might have some insight into where a pertinent relay may be located. An SAE mechanic told me about that relay so I'm trying to follow up on that. He said the relay is "attached" to the back of the inner fuse box but I can't see it, even with a mirror, nor is it shown on any schematic I have seen, (maybe shown but not identified if it is shown).The keyless entry problem may be a separate issue from the dome lights but I have replaced all associated fuses so it has to be something else, the open all locks button on the inside of the door does not work either. I had it scanned at the smog shop, owned by an old friend, and no electrical codes were produced so I just need to be pointed in the right direction. Carrying around flashlights as "dome lights" sucks so I'm looking for suggestions not critiques, (BTW: the dash lights and power windows all work).
There ya go jack62, just the kind of info I needed. I'm a one step at a time guy so you just gave me the next step, I'll deal with programming if needed when and if I need to. Now at least I know where to look and I can price out a replacement. Thank you!!
The next step is getting the wiring connector pinout
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You can easily test if it's the problem by "backpinning" the wires on that connector and checking the Power/Ground inputs and then checking to see if it's sending Power on the proper connector wire AND Ground on the proper connector wire to the dome light (dome light switch in "Door" position and door open)
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If it's sending power and ground out to the dome light at its connector then you can't blame it
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I'll try that jack62, but after a lot of research I'm wondering if I should reconsider my goals. Pros: everything else works, power windows, dash lights, wipers/washers front and back, stereo and remote controls on the steering wheel, cruise control, both auto windows, the rear vent windows and even the 12V power outlets even the passenger side electric slider, though it struggles and needs adjustment, but it works. Cons: keyless entry, auto door locks/buttons and dome lights do not work. I can get in with the key no problem, that's the way I grew up, auto windows and keyless entry were luxury options or not even invented when I started driving, so going back to the old way of doing things wouldn't be so bad. The more I investigate the more expensive this repair seems to be getting, so I'm tempted to just live with it for awhile. I would rather spend my limited repair money on stuff like installing a new timing belt, new water pump and new thermostat. At 70 the type of repairs I can do is limited, so I'll have to pay a mechanic to do some of them. I just can't get underneath a car these days, I can barely get down to look up into the fuse box without major effort, maybe I could if it were on a lift, but even then since cervical fusion surgery I cannot look back and up very well, (it sucks getting old).
Thank you for sending me in the right direction and for responding so quickly, I appreciate it very much.