Club 80-90 Forums

Hi All,

My lights won't switch off when the engine is running

I think this hasn't helped the battery which was as flat as a pancake yesterday. I charged it up overnight, removed the cheap and cheerful headlight buzzer hack but still the headlights (and rear) stay on until the engine stops. I can't see how the headlight buzzer could have caused this but it can stay disconnected until everything starts behaving again....

I found an archive thread (called "Headlights wont turn off!!Hi") on what seems like the same fault - but it didn't seem to be resolved.

I know I need to check the earthing - but it's cold and rainy out there right now. I'll check the earths and the light switch when the weather is less grim - but anyone had this same problem?

Have you tried changing the switch, sounds like it's broken in the on position, lights go off with ignition if left on.

Firstly, is it a Swedish/Scan import or is it a fault that's just started?

It started recently - I think I would have noticed last winter if it was in 'Volvo' mode. Is that even configurable?

Update: Today I changed the headlamp switch for nice new one from justkampers - it was only about £10 including the postage, so I thought I might as well change it given that the switch was the chief suspect.
Anyway - no joy - problem still there. Nothing obvious when looking at the wiring in the fusebox area.

So, back to the wiring diagrams - now I remember why I'm a software engineer ...

Is it definitely headlights and not the highbeams?

Definitely dipped headlights (waited for it to get dark to check )

Hi Digger.
Software drives me crazy, that's why I'm an electronics engineer.
if we work through this logically we'll find it.
I don't know how much you know so don't be offended if I ask simplified questions.
Need some more info first.

You say dipped headlights and tail lights stay on when engine is running but light switch is off.

1- do lights come on (with light switch off) when you turn ignition switch to acc but don't start the van? or does the engine have to be actually running?
2- have you, or a PO, done a relay mod to the headlights? (other than the buzzer)
3- when the lights are on (with the light switch off), do the main beams come on if you use the main/dip stalk?
4- if you unplug the light switch does the problem go away?
5- if you unplug fuses 21 and 22 do the lights go out?
6- if you unplug relay 8 does the problem go away?
7- if you have the resistors under your nearside headlamp, try disconnecting them, does the problem go away?

That'll give us a starter for 10. we can work from there.

Sorted!

Thanks, bigbadbob, - for the action list. It's a nice sunny dry day today so I though I would work through the points one by one.

Disconnecting the light switch made no difference, and then while replacing the instrument cover, I noticed the switch in the foglamp position was on. Ah ha! I thought - switched it off - all back to normal

So, this must be the 'Volvo/Saab mode' switch? Always wondered what it's for. It's red with a single triangle - (don't think I had a switch in that position on my previous 1984 van). Not even sure I've got any fog lamps - I will investigate further.

So it was operator error - which is arguably a software error (or at least a user interface shorfall) - or maybe idiot operator scenario - It would be a stretch to blame it on the hardware.

Thanks again all.

I'm off to the tip now, with another van-load of crap to get rid of.

Sounds like the user was not informed of the beta version which resulted in an interface failure.
Also sounds like someone's been buggering about with your wiring.
Red with a triangle??? is that not the hazard switch, maybe someone's used a hazard switch as the "Volvo mode" switch.
Glad you got it sorted anyway Digger.