Q: Running lights and tail lights stay on when the engine is off and the key removed

asked by on May 13, 2016

After I stop the car, turn off the key and park, my headlights and rear lights stay on. I know a little about cars, so I removed the fuse in order to not drain the battery until I know what to do. How do I fix this?

Lights (Headlamps/beams/brakes) Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. It sounds like your time delay in the control module is not working. It may also be a short in the switch but that is not as likely. The retained power relay may be failing or the control module itself may be failing. I typically access the module and see if it will stop supplying power when it times out. If it does not, then the module is bad. If you are going to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your headlights and make any needed repairs.

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

Car won't start due to dead battery.
If the battery is dead after being used for only three months you may have a component that is draining the battery while the car is turned off. If this is the case I would ask for help from a...
What does the key-in ignition warning chime mean?
The key-in ignition warning chime sounds when you have opened the driver’s door while the key is still in the ignition.
no power from coil to distributor
The ignition module on the fender should be looked at to see if it has ever been replaced. These modules on the fender go bad all the time. Try to disconnect and reconnect the connection to the module. Test for...
Have a 04 isuzu axiom cranks but wont start,fuel pump and filter ok. Checked the regulater valve and not getting any pressure. Can
This is likely a fuel pressure regulator issue if no pressure is being supplied. I would recommend checking the voltage to this to see if it is getting any power. If this is not getting power this will fail to...
Cylinder 6 misfire
Hey there. If after replacing all those items, the cylinder #6 misfire code remains, then there are a few other possibilities. This could possibly be a fuel injector fault. The injector can be clogged or simply worn from age and...
Sudden Reduced Power when running fine - stop, restart, all is fine - what's wrong?
Hi. When this problem is occurring it usually means that the electronic throttle body has an intermittent problem and is going bad. In some cases you cleaning of the electronic throttle body solves this problem and is an expensive fix....
Wrench symbol shows on dash after cranking the engine. Now the wrench symbol stays on.
Hi there. When the wrench light comes on, this is the symbol used by the computer to alert the driver that there is a problem with the engine or transmission and puts the vehicle into limp mode. You would need...
I have a damaged hood, radiator support and headlight
Hello, thank you for writing in. The hood should technically fit. Some replacement hoods for the 1999 say they will not fit the 2000 model, but they should be the same. The first thing you want to do is look...
Dirtbike wont go over 7500 rpm with new carburetor
Hi There, Depending on what year, make and model of dirtbike you are referring to, you may be reaching the rev limiter. Certain models after certain years came with what is known as a rev limiter which is a component...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing License Plate Light
If the license plate light is flickering, is foggy, or does not produce light at all, you may have to replace it.
The Most Popular Cars in American Cities
The The American car market is defined by diversity underneath sameness. In almost every part of this country, the most common cars are sedans from Honda, Toyota, Ford and Chevrolet. But this belies how different Americans truly are in their...
How to Add Neon Lights to Your Car
Have Have you ever been to a car show and seen those colored lights beneath the car? These neon lights can be used to give your car a unique aura as you drive through the night. With advancement of LED...