Tail lights won't go off! (2001 Impreza RS 2.5)

J

Jon

Everyone,

I own a 2001 Impreza RS 2.5 with 105,000 miles.

Last night I noticed when the car was off (and light switch turned
off) that the tail lights were still on.

Otherwise, all the lights (back and front) work normally.

For the time being, for daytime driving, I've taken out the fuse which
runs the tail lights to save on the battery.

So what is the problem? Is it the light switch stem on the steering
wheel, or is there a relay that runs the tail lights that has gone
bad?

(I did not see a tail light relay in the fuse box under the hood nor
in the fuse area behind the coin drawer to the left of the steering
wheel. Makes me wonder if there is a relay at all.)

Thanks!

Jon
 
Jon said:
I own a 2001 Impreza RS 2.5 with 105,000 miles.

Last night I noticed when the car was off (andlightswitch turned
off) that thetaillights were still on.

Otherwise, all the lights (back and front) work normally.

O.k., doing more research on the Web, I discovered the "problem"
was caused by the "hidden" parking light switch (on top of the
steering column) was turned on!

Yes, this is embarassing, but in my defense all I'll say is that
switch is pretty well-hidden, and I never use it. (A detailing
place switched it on while cleaning the dash.)

Anyway, I notice with the parking lights on that only the tail
lights turn on. Since I assume some front parking lights should
also turn on (and they don't), that I still have some sort of
problem -- time to check the fuse...

Jon
 
1) look for a rocker switch on top of the steering column.

2) turn it OFF.

3) look sheepish. (and don't forget to put back the fuses you pulled,
splice the wires that you cut, and replace the bulbs that you took out,
etc.)

4) welcome to the subie owners' club!
 
Tom said:
1) look for a rocker switch on top of the steering column.

2) turn it OFF.

3) look sheepish.   (and don't forget to put back the fuses you pulled,
splice the wires that you cut, and replace the bulbs that you took out,
etc.)

LOL. Yes, I'm sheepish. And I did reply already that I had found the
fix. Fortunately I went no further than pulling the fuse (which is
trivial to replace.) No cut wires, etc.

But, as noted, I now notice that I have no parking lights in the
front, only the rear. (They should turn on either with the "evil"
parking switch on top of the steering wheel column, or with the
ignition on and the light switch on the stem turned on to parking
lights.)

Either both bulbs are burned out, or there's a fuse/relay somewhere
that controls them. Before I attempt to replace the bulbs (which looks
like a real bear to do) I'd like to see about a fuse/relay. What's the
odds of both front parking lights being burned out?

Thanks again!

Jon
 
Jon said:
O.k., doing more research on the Web, I discovered the "problem"
was caused by the "hidden" parking light switch (on top of the
steering column) was turned on!

Yes, this is embarassing, but in my defense all I'll say is that
switch is pretty well-hidden, and I never use it. (A detailing
place switched it on while cleaning the dash.)

Anyway, I notice with the parking lights on that only the tail
lights turn on. Since I assume some front parking lights should
also turn on (and they don't), that I still have some sort of
problem -- time to check the fuse...

Jon

It's also well documented in the User manual.
 
Jon said:
O.k., doing more research on the Web, I discovered the "problem"
was caused by the "hidden" parking light switch (on top of the
steering column) was turned on!

Yes, this is embarassing, but in my defense all I'll say is that
switch is pretty well-hidden, and I never use it. (A detailing
place switched it on while cleaning the dash.)

Anyway, I notice with the parking lights on that only the tail
lights turn on. Since I assume some front parking lights should
also turn on (and they don't), that I still have some sort of
problem -- time to check the fuse...


Don't be too embarassed. If you search this group, it's less of an
embarassment and more of a discovery that somehow graduates you from
newbie Subaru owner to sophomore.

Documented in the manual or know, why Subaru makes this crazy thing
work like no other car I've seen remains a mystery.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
13,885
Messages
67,360
Members
7,360
Latest member
Subie075

Latest Threads

Back
Top