Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Principles of Operation
Vehicles equipped with remote keyless entry (RKE) have an illuminated entry feature, which enables the instrument cluster to illuminate the interior lamps (and if equipped, the puddle lamps in the exterior mirrors) when an unlock signal is received from the vehicle security module (VSM) through the UBP network, or when any of the doors are opened. The instrument cluster controls the interior lamps illuminated entry feature by activating the battery saver relay. When active, the illuminated entry feature will be canceled when any of the following conditions are met:
- 25 seconds have elapsed since the illuminated entry feature was activated and the interior lamp control is not activated (door ajar or dimmer control switch ON).
- On vehicles equipped with RKE, the instrument cluster received a request from the VSM (remote transmitter lock button pressed) and the interior lamp control is not activated.
- The ignition is in the RUN or START position and the interior lamp control is not activated.
For vehicles equipped with RKE, the instrument cluster illuminates the interior lamps when any door is open. The interior lamps shut off when the doors are closed and the illuminated entry feature is not active or when the vehicle speed is greater than 15 km/h (6 mph). The interior lamps are not reactivated until the vehicle speed is less than 15 km/h (6 mph) and a new door open signal is received.
For vehicles without RKE, the instrument cluster illuminates the interior lamps and puddle lamps (if equipped) when any door is open. The instrument cluster will turn the interior lamps and puddle lamps (if equipped) OFF when the doors are closed.
Power to the on-demand lamps, illuminated vanity mirrors and map lamps are controlled by the battery saver relay. The battery saver uses the following times for the specific feature to be turned off:
- Courtesy lamps with the dome lamp off, 10 minutes.
- Courtesy lamps with the dome lamp on, 30 minutes.
- Warning chimes, 30 minutes.
The battery saver shutoff time begins when the ignition is turned to the OFF position.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.