Q: Car headlights randomly turning on and flashing while car is off.

asked by on January 18, 2017

Our van has a problem where the lights turn on while the car is turned off. The lights will not turn off when you attempt to turn them off either most of the time. Sometimes they just flash really fast and sometimes they just randomly turn on and off slowly. It causes the battery to die. The windshield wipers have also suddenly quit working, I'm not sure if that could be related or not.

My car has 96000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Electric Problems Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. Check all of the vehicle grounds to the lighting circuits and the ignition circuits. Make sure that the grounds are cleaned and tightened. A loose ground will cause circuits to malfunction and not work correctly. If you need further assistance with electrical issues, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What does the Door Ajar Light mean on the dash?
Driving with a door open is never a good idea – it’s dangerous for passengers and cargo, and it can let debris, exhaust and other threats into the car. To help ensure that you don’t get on the road with...
Ford vs. Chevy for a daily driver
Ford by far. I've learned to drive on a Chevy Biscayne. But that was when they had 3.2 L V8 and when they were bullet-proof cars back in the '60s. They were really good cars. Now, Chevrolet's (https://www.yourmechanic.com/scheduled-maintenance/chevrolet-cruze/) quality has...
white smoke oil leak engine light on
Hi there, thanks for writing in about your 2004 Toyota Sienna. It is very possible that there is an oil leak somewhere that is allowing the engine to burn the oil. Without further detail, it would be tough to say...
Can the power steering return hose problems cause the Check Engine Light to come on?
Hello there, you have several different issues going on with your 2004 Toyota Corolla. Without knowing what the Check Engine Light is, I cannot determine if it has anything to do with the engine shaking or not. The power steering...
Bus not starting
Hey there. This may be caused by a few different things which all seem to indicate you have a fuel supply problem. This may be caused by low fuel pressure, dirty or faulty fuel injectors (bus not starting), low voltage...
If slave master cylinder is bad, will that cause the car not to hold when parked in gear?
From your explanation of the situation, it sounds to me like your vehicle may need a new clutch. If you are in gear and the vehicle struggles to move and the engine speed increases, the transmission is slipping. A failure...
Reduced Engine Power and Truck won't start. PLEASE HELP ASAP! Thanks!
Hello, thank you for writing in. The reduced power light will either trigger when there is malfunction with the vehicle and it is trying to protect itself, or when the engine actually suffers a loss in power and is struggling...
Faulty door locks
Hello, and thank you for writing in. Getting a second opinion is always a good idea. Your vehicle has the option to open just the driver's door, or to open all of the doors. Typically you click the key fob...
Loud pop and started running hot
A possibility is a head gasket leak where exhaust gas leaks into the cooling system pressurizing the cooling system and blowing out a hose. However, there are other potential, less serious, causes for what you describe. To get the actual...

Related articles

How Is a Dirty Light Bulb Socket Cleaned?
Your Your car’s light bulb sockets are protected by lenses, so they won’t get as dirty as they might, but they will still accumulate dirt and grime over the years. Regular cleaning can help ensure they remain functional for a...
How to Clean Oxidized Headlights
Since vehicle manufacturers made the widespread switch in the 1980s from easily broken glass headlights to ones made of polycarbonate...
How Long Does a Headlamp Dimmer Switch Last?
Most Most drivers neglect to realize just how many systems have to work together to make driving at night possible. Among the most important things that you will have to possess when trying to drive at night is a set...