Club 80-90 Forums

I wandered off today and left my lights on for 6 hours. I have the buzzer but have become inured to it. It there a wire I can pull from the ignition which means the lights go out when I turn the ignition off? Thanks.

I thought I was the only one that could do that...

Have you done it in the dark yet? No...thought not

The headlights should only work when the ignition is switched on.

All lights should go off when ignition off?

Except sidelights. Either fit a lights-on buzzer or fit an LED clock that is only powered when sidelights are on, that way you can see at a glance if you've left any lights on. I used to have the problem for years but I can't miss it now.

Either that or fit door solenoid locks that won't open unless lights are off

Believe it or not I've got the buzzer but zone it out so I don't notice it any more although it wasn't working anymore when I got back. When I say headlights, I should have said sidelights. Six hours was enough to stop me starting. Thank heaven for leisure battery, it was chilly and wet.

Change your sidelights for LED bulbs

Is there a law/rule that says sidelights should be able to be used with ignition off?
Seems like it might be a fairly easy mod to make the sidelights switchable like the headlights are?

MidLifeCrisis wrote:Is there a law/rule that says sidelights should be able to be used with ignition off?

Not necessarily side lights, but be able to show parking lamps to comply with Highway code and road vehicle lighting regulations.

Wonder if it could be switchable - so you could use a toggle switch to switch between 'always powered' and 'powered by ignition' ??
Leave it switched to 'powered by ignition' except for during MOT?

"except for during MOT" doesn't seem like the right solution. It just needs an obvious indicator (audible or visual) that lights are left on.

In more recent months (particularly as winter approaches) I've adopted a kind of cockpit-check before setting off and when parking up - along with checking all lights are working. Works for me anyway. I think routine is more the key, both for your own safety and others. After all, it only takes a couple of minutes.

You need a new louder buzzer with an annoying sound.

CovKid wrote:I think routine is more the key, both for your own safety and others. After all, it only takes a couple of minutes.

I just tend to try to make things 'idiot-proof' as I am well aware of the capabilities of the idiot that drives my van!!

Is it not easier to wire everything to the leisure battery, leaving only the starter battery to turn the engine over?
If any `accidents` happen - like leaving the lights on - then you won't be caught out trying to bump start your pride and joy.

er, big sticker on inside of windscreen