The dome light and the glow light around the key never turn off i replaced the switch in the door then just took it out and didn't connect the wires and it was still on it never shuts off i just took out the bulb to not run down my battery any suggestions?

 

Don't know if you tried, but the headlight switch also dims the dash when you turn it. Turn it all the way and it will turn on the Interior lights.

 

The dome light will turn ON under the following circumstances: (1) drivers or passengers door open, or (2) headlight switch turned all the way counter-clock wise. (You pull the headlight switch out to turn on the running lights/headlights, and you rotate it counterclockwise to brighten the gauge lights, but if you rotate it ALL the way, it will turn on the dome light.) [Note: I think it's counterclock wise, it might be clockwise, it's been a year since I've driven my Dakota!!]

The key-in halo lamp (ignition switch light), and courtesy lamp (illuminates passenger side floor) will turn ON under the same circumstances, but those lights are actually controlled by the "time delay relay" located on the interior fuse block.

 

Hey did you ever figure out why that was happening? I am having the same problem with my 01 cummins 2500. I just took the bulbs out also, but would love to get it fixed without dropping $$ to the dealer.

 

If it was mine, I think I would take out the small relay under the dash that is marked time delay for the lights, that someone already mentioned, See what happens if the unit is removed, If the lights go off, I'd replace the time delay unit...
Hope this helped!
dr

 

I would also check to see if the headlight switch had failed with the dimmer turned all the way counterclockwise. Just disconnect it and check voltage with a meter.

 

Do you have the overhead console?

Reason I ask is.....this was the gist of all my electrical gremlins.

The bracket that holds up the console has some very sharp edges on it. The harness feeding the console was rubbed raw by this edge causing my dash lights to keep blowing fuses, my dome lights would stay on, etc.

One morning as I was backing out of the driveway, smoke started pouring from the console. I took off the console and discovered the problem, re-taped all the affected wires, took the edge off the bracket with a file.

It took out my compass and temp section but, I can live w/o those. My map lights still work and I'm good with that.