electrical problem

[wayne]

My tail lights, backup lights, front turn signal lights (not blinker
lights) and side marker lights now stay on even if I turn the engine off
and remove the key. To remedy this, I have to pull the 20amp fuse that
controls these lights every time I park. Fortunately, I can leave the
fuse out in the daytime since these lights are not needed in daylight
hours (except the backup lights). All this happened all of a sudden,
although I've been having problems with my driver's side front blinker
light blinking too fast.
My thinking is that the problem exists somewhere under the dash, where
the switch that controls these lights is defective. Where do I start? I
do have a wiring diagram but it does not show where these units are
located. Has anyone had this problem or is familiar with the unit that
controls these lights?
All of the lights in the car work. Just that I can't turn some of these
lights off.

Thanks,
Wayne
1992 Legacy Wagon

 

[Bugalugs]

My tail lights, backup lights, front turn signal lights (not blinker
lights) and side marker lights now stay on even if I turn the engine off
and remove the key. To remedy this, I have to pull the 20amp fuse that
controls these lights every time I park. Fortunately, I can leave the
fuse out in the daytime since these lights are not needed in daylight
hours (except the backup lights). All this happened all of a sudden,
although I've been having problems with my driver's side front blinker
light blinking too fast.
My thinking is that the problem exists somewhere under the dash, where
the switch that controls these lights is defective. Where do I start? I
do have a wiring diagram but it does not show where these units are
located. Has anyone had this problem or is familiar with the unit that
controls these lights?
All of the lights in the car work. Just that I can't turn some of these
lights off.

Thanks,
Wayne
1992 Legacy Wagon

Happens to all of us at some time.
Check the switch on top of the steering column.

 

[VanguardLH]

My tail lights, backup lights, front turn signal lights (not blinker
lights) and side marker lights now stay on even if I turn the engine off
and remove the key. To remedy this, I have to pull the 20amp fuse that
controls these lights every time I park. Fortunately, I can leave the
fuse out in the daytime since these lights are not needed in daylight
hours (except the backup lights). All this happened all of a sudden,
although I've been having problems with my driver's side front blinker
light blinking too fast.
My thinking is that the problem exists somewhere under the dash, where
the switch that controls these lights is defective. Where do I start? I
do have a wiring diagram but it does not show where these units are
located. Has anyone had this problem or is familiar with the unit that
controls these lights?
All of the lights in the car work. Just that I can't turn some of these
lights off.

Thanks,
Wayne
1992 Legacy Wagon

Same one that I own.

The relay could be above the fusebox on the left sidepanel under the
dash. I suspect it's actually in the black relay box inside the engine
compartment on the driver side. Some of those removable "fuses" are
actually relays.

I don't remember its name but many public libraries carry a database
which include car electrical diagrams along with repair procedures. Ask
the librarian about using this database at one of their terminals and
then print out the electrical diagrams for your vehicle.

From what I can tell in the electrical diagrams that I printed from that
library's database service, the fuses for the headlights are in engine
fusebox (#24 and #26). Inside that fusebox are square blocks that plug
into the box. Those, I believe, are the relays. Don't know which one
is for what. In the last few visits to the salvage yard to get parts to
replace in my Subie (they specialize in cars over 20 years old), I would
yank out those relays (I think they're all the same) to keep as spares.
I probably have about half a dozen now. I suspect they're very pricey
from the dealer.

Since you know the fuse numbers, you could trace the wiring to the
contacts inside the engine fusebox from the fuse connectors to the
connectors for the relays (remove battery power, pop out a fuse, and pop
out a relay one at a time to check for continuity). Probably easier
would simply to pull the relays one at a time until the headlight goes
off.

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Happens to all of us at some time.
Check the switch on top of the steering column.

Gee, I was going to say that...

Until I noticed he said his backup lights were on.

 

[VanguardLH]

Gee, I was going to say that...

Until I noticed he said his backup lights were on.

Hmm, my solution only would work on specific lights, like the
headlights, not the headlights and backup lights. Sounds like a big
short. Could a bad ignition switch screw over those circuits (short
them together)?

The OP said that all these lights stay on when he turns off the car.
The ignition switch makes/breaks the hot-side of the solenoids for the
relays. If it isn't breaking contact when the move to the Off position
then those circuits remain energized. Pulling the fuse(s) breaks the
ground-side of the relays' solenoids. Wonder if he is positioning the
key to the Off position. Supposedly you cannot remove the key unless in
Off but maybe the ignition switch is worn. I've seen plenty of these
that get iffy regarding their indents for position or keeping the key
locked in the cylinder when a little off the Off position.

 

[wayne]

Hmm, my solution only would work on specific lights, like the
headlights, not the headlights and backup lights. Sounds like a big
short. Could a bad ignition switch screw over those circuits (short
them together)?

My headlights are fine. They turn off when the engine turns off or when I
switch them off. The only lights that stay on are the 2 tail lights, the
license plate light, the two side marker lights, and the two front amber
colored (turn signal) lights next to the headlights. The blinkers work
fine, except the driver's side blinks a little faster and is a bit
dimmer. The fuse in question is actually a 10amp fuse #5, which controls
the above mentioned lights. I haven't figured out how it's connected to
the front amber (turn signal) lights, unless they're really called the
front clearance lights, which are connected to fuse #5 but the wiring
diagram says are only for '95 models. Mine is a '92 wagon.

Wayne

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

My headlights are fine. They turn off when the engine turns off or when I
switch them off. The only lights that stay on are the 2 tail lights, the
license plate light, the two side marker lights, and the two front amber
colored (turn signal) lights next to the headlights. The blinkers work
fine, except the driver's side blinks a little faster and is a bit
dimmer. The fuse in question is actually a 10amp fuse #5, which controls
the above mentioned lights. I haven't figured out how it's connected to
the front amber (turn signal) lights, unless they're really called the
front clearance lights, which are connected to fuse #5 but the wiring
diagram says are only for '95 models. Mine is a '92 wagon.

Wayne

You omitted the backup lights this time. Follow Bugalugs suggetion about
the swith on the top of the steering column. Took me a while to get used
to this, too. (Parking lights...)

 

[Bugalugs]

You omitted the backup lights this time. Follow Bugalugs suggetion about
the swith on the top of the steering column. Took me a while to get used
to this, too. (Parking lights...)

If the drivers side blinkers are blinking faster I would check all bulbs
and their fittings on that side too.

 

[wayne]

If the drivers side blinkers are blinking faster I would check all bulbs
and their fittings on that side too.

I've already replaced the both blinker bulbs. The fittings looked good.
The driver's side blinker still blinks faster and dimmer than the
passenger's side.
I'll check the switch on the column.

Thanks,
Wayne

 

[clare]

I assume the reverse lights only stay on if in reverse???
OP did not specify.

 

[Uncle Ben]

My tail lights, backup lights, front turn signal lights (not blinker
lights) and side marker lights now stay on even if I turn the engine off
and remove the key. To remedy this, I have to pull the 20amp fuse that
controls these lights every time I park. Fortunately, I can leave the
fuse out in the daytime since these lights are not needed in daylight
hours (except the backup lights). All this happened all of a sudden,
although I've been having problems with my driver's side front blinker
light blinking too fast.
My thinking is that the problem exists somewhere under the dash, where
the switch that controls these lights is defective. Where do I start? I
do have a wiring diagram but it does not show where these units are
located. Has anyone had this problem or is familiar with the unit that
controls these lights?
All of the lights in the car work. Just that I can't turn some of these
lights off.

Thanks,
Wayne
1992 Legacy Wagon

A while ago, I had the same problem. I took the car to a repair
shop. Later I got a call from the shop, saying that the problem was
fixed. The bill: $80 (minimum charge).

The problem? The switch on top of the steering column. They turned
it off and reinstalled the fuse. I'm sure they had some laughs at my
expense (literally).

(I never went back to that shop.)

Uncle Ben

 

[Djay]

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