Dome Lights Intermittent

[Slick Nick]

‘91 MSE. Been having an issue lately with my dome lights. They will often be intermittent. I have two separate switches in the headliner, one for the rear seat and baggage area, and another for the front seats. There is power, I even replaced the fuse by the battery. On bright, about 2 of the 4 bulbs light up, on dim sometimes only one lights up. If I tap the covers that hide the lights, they will all spring to life. Getting really tired of having to do that though. Is it something as simple as a corroded socket or connection perhaps? Everything appears fine, but maybe it would be a good idea to hit all of the contact surfaces with a scotch brite or something? Has anyone else dealt with this? Thanks!

[PT20J]

If tapping the covers causes them to light, the problem has to be either the bulb or the bulb holder. I’d remove the covers and bulbs and spray the holders with some contact cleaner and then insert and remove the bulbs several times to clean the contacts. 

[MikeOH]

If you find corrosion do NOT clean with any abrasive as you will remove the plating on the contacts!  If, after using contact cleaner to remove dirt and any corrosion you find the plating missing this will be only a short term fix.  New sockets will be needed.