hmm...that's a tough one. I really couldn't give u an answer for why it keeps on shorting. The only thing i can say is that maybe the battery's too strong for ur dome light. What did the instructions say regarding hooking up the positive? Actually why didn't u hook it up with the side door lights? that way ur dorm will turn on whenever the doors are open. Best thing i would do if u wanted a switch, is that instead to power it up directly thru the battery, tap the power thru the cig lighter or some sort of continous power.