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        General >> Problems >> Lights won't go out
        
(Message started by: Nunnspoet on Apr 20^th, 2016, 9:56am)

Title: Lights won't go out
Post by Nunnspoet on Apr 20^th, 2016, 9:56am

There I was sprucing up my 24 valve Estate when the "Ignition on and in gear beeper" started up. The Ignition was off, not sure whether she was in gear or not, and all the doors including the tailgate were open. Then I noticed that the sidelights were on even though the switch was off - and whatever I did made no difference, eventually I found a position between the off and "P" where the lights went out. I had to leave her like that. However at aprox. 3AM whilst having a mug of tea in the kitchen I noticed that a light was in inside the car, and sure enough although the exterior lights were off as were the cabin lights the instrument panel was lighted up like a Christmas tree!! Fed up I went to bed. In the morning the Bty was flat. I disconnected it and put it on charge.

Today I connected up -- no change. I know nothing about "electrics," so I am completely stumped. Therefore all I can do is shout HELP, please, to all my Scorpy experts. :-*

Mike

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Apr 20^th, 2016, 10:39am

Check the terminals on the headlight switch where the multi-plug goes in - not unknown for the plastic to melt and cause a fault.

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Simmo on Apr 20^th, 2016, 11:49am

Have you by any chance had the big connector off of the main, drivers side, fuse box?

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Nunnspoet on Apr 21^st, 2016, 8:17am

Thanks

I shall check the Headlight switch, hopefully this morning :). Nope I have not been anywhere near the big connector - I ain't that brave. As a likkle boy I put my finger into a wall plug just to see what was in there. I soon found out, still glow a bit now!

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Simmo on Apr 21^st, 2016, 9:02am

Mike. You might find This link (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/manual/electrical/intbasic/Switch-Light.pdf) from Fault Finder (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/faultfinds.htm) useful. The usual sign of a problem is the browning of the connector block where the plastic has overheated due to resistance in the contacts. ;)

You will see in one of the links terminal 15 on the switch is usually the one that goes.

I take it you are happy that neither of the fuse boxes are wet?

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Nunnspoet on Apr 21^st, 2016, 11:01am

Thanks Dave. I checked the headlight switch and Connector and all looks in good nick. I replaced the Switch and Connector with an old but good looking one. None of these made any difference. One thing I did was to check whether the lights were still on when these items were completely disconnected: They were not. It seems obvious to me as to why this should be but, you never know, it might mean something to somebody.

Fuse Boxes are bone dry thanks

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Glyn on Apr 22^nd, 2016, 12:18am

Perhaps someone who knows the wiring can tell us whether all these circuits are operated by switching to ground ?
I wonder if sprucing it up included washing ? We have also had some heavy rain recently.
Interesting that disconnecting the headlamp switch extinguished all the lights, as though it was the switch grounding things.
Just might be worth getting the hair dryer on the fuse boxes just in case even though they appear dry- you can't see water between the layers in the box, and it can cause considerable bizarre mayhem !

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by a900one on Apr 22^nd, 2016, 8:47am

Cigar lighter fault/short. This is a stab in the dark, but I think there has been problems with it.

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Glyn on Apr 22^nd, 2016, 9:05pm

Agreed, also worth checking the fuel cut off switch and the battery saver relay ,I should think.

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Nunnspoet on Apr 23^rd, 2016, 7:09am

:). Thanks for the info everyone.

I will check all the above, starting with the Cigar lighter as that certainly got moved about when I was "Flash-dashing" the dash etc.

Guess what? >:( It's raining and I have the Bty. disconnected and I dare not expose the fuse box to the elements. How frustrating!!!!

Title: Re: Lights won't go out
Post by Simmo on Apr 23^rd, 2016, 7:42am

on 04/23/16 at 07:09:53, Nunnspoet wrote:

:). Thanks for the info everyone.

I will check all the above, starting with the Cigar lighter as that certainly got moved about when I was "Flash-dashing" the dash etc.

I think that is the most likely cause in that case.
;)