1988 Chrysler Le Baron interior courtesy lights

Check the contacts on the door pins; however, if both doors have the same effect then most likely there is a short in the system. When the lights last worked would they slowly dim once you shut the door or did they just completely turn off? If so then the capacitor in the circuit might be needing replacement.

Thanks for replying! This only happens with the drivers side door. the lights go out instantly. First there's a click (such as from a silonoid) and less than a second later the lights go out.

Do you think it may need the capacitor replaced, or a short in the circuit?

Would anyone else be able to answer my questions? I've been working on minor repairs this week in preparation for a road trip and i'd like to get this one little aggravating problem fixed. Any help would be much appreciated!

Check the contact device on the door jam. It should be a spring loaded switch that should close the contacts when the door is open and open the contacts when the door is closed. Sometimes the contacts can become corroded or just dirty (usually from oxidation of the metal) Once you have removed and cleaned the contact terminals with a wire brush for the switch check and see if you still experience problems. If you do then it is most likely a short in the wire from the fuse box to that door (or possibly a bad ground, you will just need to follow one of those wires to see where it grounds on the body or you can just check with a voltmeter to see which one it is). You can easily differentiate between bad contacts at the door or a wiring issue if you short the switch wires to on and see if it stays on. If it stays on then it is the contact switch on the door jam; if not then it is the wire to the door.