Z3 1.9 Interior light comes on whilst driving

[Richardrix]

Hi,
Recently found that sometimes whilst driving the interior light will come on of its own accord. I now leave it switched off in case it comes on when the car is locked.
If I have it switched to come on when the doors open (in the centre) this works as expected and the light goes off when the doors are closed and we start the engine, but then whilst driving it will sometimes come on for no apparent reason.
I am presuming there may be a short or something somewhere that could be causing this. Before I start the process of tracing wires, is there any known issues or common areas that I should be looking at that could be causing this? I have tried searching but not been able to spot anything.
Thanks in advance for your assistance and comments.
1997 Z3 1.9 manual pre-facelift

 

[Mint]

I had exactly this problem, turned out to be the switch in the drivers door latch.

 

[t-tony]

Hi Richard I seem to recall someone having wiring burn out in a Z3 a few years ago, under the left front floor? Connected to interior lighting I think. if his name springs to mind I’ll get back to you.

Tony.

 

[Richardrix]

Hi Richard I seem to recall someone having wiring burn out in a Z3 a few years ago, under the left front floor? Connected to interior lighting I think. if his name springs to mind I’ll get back to you.

Tony.

Thanks Tony. It is an intermittent problem. If there was a burn out, would that be an issue all the time?

 

[t-tony]

Thanks Tony. It is an intermittent problem. If there was a burn out, would that be an issue all the time?

Yes quite possibly mate, but just something tells me he had intermittent fault before it got bad. It could well be as Dave said but I thought that would give alarm issues too?

Tony.

 

[Mint]

Richard, next time it happens try pulling on the door, see if the light goes out. Bit more awkward if it's the passenger door latch

 

[Richardrix]

Richard, next time it happens try pulling on the door, see if the light goes out. Bit more awkward if it's the passenger door latch

Cheers. Will give it a go. Hope it is something simple like this.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

I’d be 99% it’s the door latch striker plate, easy to swap out