Parking lights always on - even w/o fuse?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 26th, 2012, 11:01 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
zodiacblueS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 147
Parking lights always on - even w/o fuse?

My parking lights are now always on, (73 S BB ) and cannot be turned off. Disconnecting the battery is the only way to turn them off. I even pulled the fuse thinking that would work temporarily but that didn't faze them. From reading previous posts it sounds like it's the light switch, which I am about to pull out, but shouldn't pulling the fuse open the circuit and turn them off?? I haven't done any other rewiring, just upgraded the engine.
zodiacblueS is offline  
Old May 26th, 2012, 01:03 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
OLDSRALLYE350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Posts: 152
The power appears to come directly from the ignition switch to the backup light switch, then to the backp lights. On a purple wire .
OLDSRALLYE350 is offline  
Old May 26th, 2012, 01:19 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
JerseyHarold's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Freehold, NJ
Posts: 79
I had a '72 Ford that did the same thing. Electricity from another circuit can't find the 'ground' it's looking for so back-feeds and causes weird things to happen. Cleaning the sockets and grounds fixed it for me.
JerseyHarold is offline  
Old May 26th, 2012, 02:02 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Highwayman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 489
Walk yourself back through everything you did with your engine upgrade and think if you could have pinched wiring anywhere and eyeball it.

If lights stay on with the fuse pulled it's because they are getting power from another circuit. You can try pulling other fuses one at a time and see if that kills the lights. If you know what other circuit is involved it could help to track down and isolate the problem. The headlight switch is a good place to check. Headlights are on a breaker, not a fuse, but the courtesy circuit is also present at the headlight switch.
Highwayman is offline  
Old May 26th, 2012, 02:45 PM
  #5  
Just an Olds Guy
 
Allan R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
What a gorgeous car. Just finished looking at your web page and profile pics.

I'm with Highwayman on this, go back through your rebuild step by step.

What happens if you pull the headlight switch out all the way? Do you get headlight? I'd start with that. If it's the switch, I'd disconnect the battery before pharting around with taking it out.
Allan R is offline  
Old May 26th, 2012, 03:32 PM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
zodiacblueS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 147
Thanks Allan. I think yours is really sweet. I love the color, and it looks like it just came off the line.
Problem is solved. I replaced the switch ($22 at NAPA), adjusted the brake light switch at the pedal, and I'm good to go. I was not looking forward to getting into the wiring harness. I'd rather be lucky than good!
zodiacblueS is offline  
Old May 26th, 2012, 03:40 PM
  #7  
Just an Olds Guy
 
Allan R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Love it when it turns out to be something easy; glad you got it fixed.

Thx on my car. Not the original color - I changed it to a brighter silver. Amazingly, it has not deteriorated in the slightest since paint (BC/CC) 25 years ago. But prolly like your Mom, I kept it in the garage all the time. I love taking it out for a drive - especially on the hiway. Would be really cool if it had come with those optional swivel buckets like you have.
Allan R is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Oldscutty72
Electrical
7
December 28th, 2015 01:56 PM
matchek
Electrical
17
June 20th, 2015 12:42 PM
indianabanana
Cutlass
4
April 12th, 2010 04:56 AM
craftsmen22
Electrical
3
September 15th, 2008 08:13 PM



Quick Reply: Parking lights always on - even w/o fuse?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:32 PM.