Interior courtesy lights and boot lights provide illumination inside the car and boot. The courtesy light is typically mounted on the B-post area or the transmission tunnel and is operated by the door switch, which when the door is opened earths the lamp circuit and the light illuminates.
Common Faults
If the courtesy light fails to operate, the most common cause is a faulty or misadjusted door switch rather than a blown bulb. The door switch is a simple plunger type that makes contact with the door post when the door is closed, switching the light off, and breaks contact when the door opens, switching the light on, so corrosion on the switch body or its earth connection will prevent the circuit from completing, and cleaning the switch and its mounting point often resolves the issue.
Boot Light & Upgrades
The boot light provides illumination in the luggage compartment and is operated by a similar plunger switch on the boot lid hinge area. LED replacements for both the courtesy and boot bulbs are available, providing brighter light with lower current draw.