Dash Lights Stay On After Key Is Removed

[Windy101]

When I remove the ignition key on my 993 the lights on the dash stay on.

In order to get the dash lights to go off I have to disconnect the battery.

Has anybody else seen the same or a similar issue, or got any tips on where to start looking.

Everything else work s as it should.

Thanks

 

[johnty1]

I had a problem where on removal of the key, not only did the lights stay on, but the engine continued to run... had to stall the car to cut the engine. The solution was rather bizarre - everything came back to normal after I removed the a/c relay. Also bizarre is that my car does not have a/c.
So as an initial suggestion, remove a relay or two and see if that helps.

 

[ToreB]

This looks like a bad light switch. Are the license plate lights also on?
The dashboard illumination circuit and license plate lights gets power from the same light switch output.
Cheers,
Tore

 

[ToreB]

johnty1, which relay are you calling the A/C relay?
As far as I remember are there three relays involved with the ventilation system: The rear/engine fan relay in the rear fuse box, which should be present in your car, and the condenser fan/ A/C compressor relays which are not fitted in non-A/C 993's.
Cheers,
Tore

 

[Windy101]

This looks like a bad light switch. Are the license plate lights also on?
The dashboard illumination circuit and license plate lights gets power from the same light switch output.
Cheers,
Tore

Thanks for the suggestions

Key removed from ignition after running.

No licence plate light is on.

All dash warning lights are on but back lighting illumination of dash is off.

I can hear a buzzing from behind dash, power going to something.

 

[Windy101]

johnty1, which relay are you calling the A/C relay?
As far as I remember are there three relays involved with the ventilation system: The rear/engine fan relay in the rear fuse box, which should be present in your car, and the condenser fan/ A/C compressor relays which are not fitted in non-A/C 993's.
Cheers,
Tore

I can't find anything in the front fuse box. Do I have to have a look in the rear fuse box with the warnings about ignition voltage?

 

[ToreB]

Ah, so the warning lights are on, this could be interpreted to be the backlighting.
The Central Informer Unit is controlling all warning lights. This unit seldom fails, but I sometimes see that the two connectors on the unit become dislodged.
The unit has a metal casing, and is placed under the dashboard, near the steering stem. It has white and beige elongated connectors. Check that they are properly seated, and that the black lock is engaged on both of them.

The buzzing is most probably unrelated. The Climate Control Unit air sampling fan wear out and starts rattling. This unit stays on for about 20 minutes after ignition off, so I guess you just found that your fan needs to be changed when you were looking for the warning light fault.
Cheers,
Tore

 

[Windy101]

I have checked the connectors and seem to be secure and locked on the Central Informer Unit.

Another observation is that the car seems to power on as soon as the battery is connected, even with no key in the ignition.

The radio also has got power to play music with the ignition off which I am sure it did not do before. As well as the buzzing from the dash and all the warning lights being illuminated. Again without ever putting the key in the ignition.

I have also had a look in the rear fuse box and I have no relays related to A/C. I also do not have A/C

 

[PeterHoward]

Starter switch sounds suspect

 

[guards red]

Agree with last poster. I suspect the lock or key are worn allowing the key to come out before the ignistion is fully turned off.

Check the key carefullly, is it heavily worn?

Try the key again, make sure it turns the lock fully off. I have seen keys come out leaving the engine still running.

 

[Windy101]

Agree with last poster. I suspect the lock or key are worn allowing the key to come out before the ignistion is fully turned off.

Check the key carefullly, is it heavily worn?

Try the key again, make sure it turns the lock fully off. I have seen keys come out leaving the engine still running.

Its not the key as I have a few keys for the car. It could however be the barrel or possibly more likely the electrical part of the ignition switch that is the problem as Peter.above has suggested

 

[A993LAD]

It sounds like the ignition switch to me.

When you have taken the key out if you turn the steering wheel does it lock the steering column?.

It won't affect the electrical circuits but it would be interesting to know if the key coming out is enabling the lock.

If you reach up behind the dash you can actually pull the electrical connector block off the back of the ignition switch. It might be worth doing that and then reconnecting the battery to see if the dash lights no longer come on.

You'll then know that it's the ignition switch itself.

It's a very tricky switch to replace I believe because it's held in with sheared off security bolts that have to be drilled out I think.

 

[PeterHoward]

That's for the lock, the switch is just 2 screws but you need to upside down under the dash to do it!

 

[decgraham]

Hi, I changed my ignition switch when I had a problem with starting. It isn't too difficult but better to remove the drivers seat. You'll need a good small philips screw driver and be ok laying on your back for a while. There is a silver connector box that will need to be removed to enable you to access to the switch's 2 screws. I've attached a couple of pics which I hope are useful.

ATB

 

[johnty1]

johnty1, which relay are you calling the A/C relay?

Tore,
here's the full story, It was a few years ago, so my memory may be slightly off:
Without any prior issue, I came home, parked in the driveway and turned the ignition off. Nothing changed, the dashboard lights that should be on, were on and the engine continued to run. Lots of fiddling with key in/out had no effect and I had to stall the engine to stop it. Lights still on, and I had to disconnect battery to shut the car down completely. I could reconnect the battery and start the car as normal, but of course could not shut it down.
I took it to John Holland at Unit 11 and we initially agreed to change the ignition switch. This change made no difference. We were at a loss for any other ideas. He called an auto electrical expert he knows to discuss it, and that guy also was baffled and had never come across such a situation.
As a kind of lets-see-what-happens exercise, we pulled relays one at a time and found that by removing R14 (I think) the car returned to normal operation and has been perfect ever since. I think this is a relay for the climate control system, which I don't have.