Got a little problem with my lights in my classic.
Basically whenever the ignition is on the side lights and rear lights come on.
Any thoughts on where I should start ??

As always, thanks.

 

Have you tried that switch on top of the steering cowling?
Thats the parking lights, but they'd be on even with the ignition off, unless someones played about with it.
Failing that, it couls be a faulty light stalk.

 

Yeh as above sounds like the switch stalk,id also take the cowels of and check to see if the wires have been messed about ,or maybe you have a sidelight relay stuck on.If you know where the relay is id swap it with another one of the car and see if that cures it.

 

I don't think there IS a relay for sidelights. All four are only 20W together, so less than 2A, not relay territory.

I reckon it'll be the stalk, but I'd ALSO be looking at earths in all the lights. You'd be surprised what a bad earth can produce. I once had an Escort that it's headlights came on dim when your foot was on the brake pedal, AND, the engine wouldn't turn off, you could even take the key out and it kept running

Turned out to be a bad earth on the n/s rear lights.

 

Ok thanks chaps. I'll have a root round tomorrow and see what I can find. Hopefully the problem is staring me in the face as could be a right **** trying to find a bad earth.

Thanks again.

 

Start searching for earth at rear lights.

 

Sorry just noticed youve got a classic so dont know about relays.For some reason newage seem to fit them on everything.Good luck tomorrow

 

Hiya,

Just put in a search on here as i have this exact same problem and it came up with this thread.

Did you manage to find out what the problem was in the end?

Many thanks, Steve.

 

Nope, gave up searching in the end. Side lights still come on with ignition.

 

Did you try a new switch?

 

Cheers for the reply matty, looks like mine might be staying as they are for a while then.

Thanks again, Steve

 

Yep, got a new stalk assembly but didn't cure the problem. Checked earths at all four corners with no joy so guessing its something buried deep out of sight.

 

You check the switch on top of the steering column? Not for position, but to see if it's defective?

 

Yep, swapped it for another one.
The lights sort of flicker briefly when you switch the parking lights in.

 

So they are picking up a live from somewhere with ign on?

Have you checked all the fuses, including under the bonnet? If one has gone, you get some odd stuff happening.

 

No haven't checked the fuses to be honest buddy.
That's my next port of call then, thanks chap.
I'll post up how I go.