This problem has been mentioned under other threads on a "gate ajar" warning, and rear window release. The gate ajar and rear latch problems are not related to this issue, and are resolved, so let's start afresh here.
Car is a 1996 Caprice wagon. All interior lights: dome, left and right rear seat, under-mirror, and front footwell, come on of their own accord periodically when I am driving.
In the daytime, if I turn the headlights on, then off, the interior lights go off, but only for a few minutes. At night, this trick does not work.
Dash dimmer switch has no effect on the lights when they are on.
If I turn off the engine, and restart, the lights will be off... for a while, and then the cycle repeats.