My 2002 Pathfinder has a strange problem. It first showed up only
when the vehicle was very cold, below 32F. Now it shows up almost all
the time at any temperature. When I really accelerate, or when I make
a sharp left-hand turn, the front overhead light comes on for a couple
of seconds, and then fades out like it is being triggered from the
electronics rather than from a door switch directly.

Has anyone else had this, and any ideas for troubleshooting? I don't
know where the electronics module is located, so I'm really flying
blind here. Have many years of electronics experience, so not afraid
to taackle this, once I find out where the module is located.

H. R. (Bob) Hofmann

My '02 Pathfinder has had lots of electrical ghosts, but not this one (yet).
In almost every case cleaning/reseating electrical connectors, grounds
and/or loosening wiring harness clamps to allow more slack in the wires has
cured the problems.

The overhead light fade-out circuit is invoked whenever one of the doors is
opened & then closed, so I don't really think its a control module issue.
You still should be looking at the door & tailgate switches. Try working
them manually & I'll bet you will find a switch that's bent or sticking.
Failing that, check the wires to the door switches for breaks in the
insulation.


On 3/31/07 11:37 AM, in article
1175359020.904368.263890 (AT) e65g20...oglegroups.com, "hr(bob)
hofmann (AT) att (DOT) net" <hrhofmann (AT) att (DOT) net> wrote:

does the light normally come on when the rear hatch is opened? could be a
problem with the switch there (maybe the gasket/seal has compressed too much
or isn't there).

"hr(bob) hofmann (AT) att (DOT) net" <hrhofmann (AT) att (DOT) net> wrote

forgot to mention to check the rear hatch latch. could be a problem there
which causes a slight give of the hatch under heavy acceleration, which may
also cause the light switch to momentarily make contact.

"hr(bob) hofmann (AT) att (DOT) net" <hrhofmann (AT) att (DOT) net> wrote

On Mar 31, 1:05 pm, ": P" <n... (AT) none (DOT) net> wrote:
Where/what is the hatch light switch mechanism, I don't see an obvious
switch like for the doors?

Bob Hofmann

I posted an image schematic of the wiring harness for the back door.
link (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/thisisme_024/)

"hr(bob) hofmann (AT) att (DOT) net" <hrhofmann (AT) att (DOT) net> wrote

On Apr 1, 12:57 am, ": P" <n... (AT) none (DOT) net> wrote:
Thanx very much for the info. It looks like the hatch swirch is
toward the bottom of the door, I will have to explore that area. I
wonder if it is a reed relay switch, or a microswitch, or what. Do
you have any experience with these switches. The door switches are
regular push type switches, but I don't see anything that looks like
that on the back hatch.

Bob Hofmann

I haven't had a need to replace any rear door sensors or switches in my
Nissans (Xterra & Murano) or other rear door vehicles. However, I have (a
few times) experienced the interior light flickering on while driving. I
found it was due to my not closing the rear door completely. In those
cases, I had closed the door gently (guiding the door down and barely giving
it a push closed). So now, instead of gently pushing the door closed, I
give it a firmer push (not to be confused with slamming the door shut).
Haven't had any problems since.

"hr(bob) hofmann (AT) att (DOT) net" <hrhofmann (AT) att (DOT) net> wrote

On Apr 1, 2:57 pm, ": P" <n... (AT) none (DOT) net> wrote:
I have always had to close the door hard to get it to latch. Do you
know what the rear door switch is? Something has changed from what it
used to be. Worst case, I'll take off the hatch liner and tackle it.

Bob Hofmann