xcon

RX8 Head lights always on even when light in switch-off position

I have put a new battery in the RX8 few weeks ago as I don’t drive the car daily and the factory battery had died
After a week of having the new battery in for a week, I start disconnecting the battery weekly as the car isn’t used daily

The problem…
Last week when car is started… light switch in off position - park lights are on

Disconnected the Battery for another week…
This week when car is started… light switch in off position-the head lights & park lights are on

Any ideas ?

RX8 is a 2003 - 60,000 kms

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

well for one buy a battery tender, and stop unplugging it completely. Secondly have you checked the switch to make sure its functioning properly? You will need to test the switch to make sure the contacts are not broken in some way. Just because your turn it doesn't mean the contacts are breaking contact.

but again buy a battery tender to protect the battery and just plug the car in.

xcon

Could it be the switch ? even though...

when i switch the car off , the switch being in off position and the Lights now turn off

when i switch the car off, the switch being in on position, the light are on and it beeps "meaning lights are on,don't forget to turn off"

Basically means...
I can switch lights off when car is switched off (switch in off position)
When car is running then lights are on (switch off position)

Switch does know off is off when car is switched off , but not when car is running

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

did you do a fog light rewire? Have you done any custom wiring at all?

xcon

Fogs are standard wiring

I think its a loose/faulty connection some were now:

Driving back from work,on start up lights were off
On the drive home,reached a small dip in the road,light came on then off

Then when i got home,needed to reverse car down steep drive way,when i reached the bottom and turned the lights were on

not sure were to start...

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

Start at the switch on the column and work your way forward. Check the fuse box/relays to make sure they are ok, then move on to the wiring harness at the lights. A volt meter will help.

Also it could be a grounding problem. Vehicles electrical systems can do strang things when the grounds mess up. They will basically ground through the next nearest system which can cause turn signals to stay lit, radios to fail, and even brakelights to function opposite how they are supposed to.

So if you go over the entire system and all the connections and plugs are working fine. From the column switch down to the bulb, then next thing is you need to check the grounds to make sure they are clean for each part of the assembly. Not just the headlight but the parking lights and turn signals as well. I know its a lot to check but you might find your problem there.

xcon

I have checked the fuse box ,removed head light fuse and relay and put them back in

The only next thing to do is start with the Switch in the column and work forward

Some connection is making contact when it shouldn't do...

It's gonna be a mission!!!

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

Or a grounding wire is not properly grounding. You might want to get electrical contact cleaner before you start!

monchie

Re-check all wiring.

xcon

do rx8 have auto sensing lights? (disconnecting the battery could have reset a few things ?)

car is parked in the shade (under the house)

today i started up the car,lights were on
reversed from the shade very slowly into bright sunlight light went off
drove to work (lights were off)
drove home (lights off)
approached its parking space very slowly under the house lights on
reversed into sunlight slowly lights off
drove forward into parking space slowly lights on

auto sensing lights ?

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

yes the do, look at your light switch. If it has 3 settings then its standard, if it has 4 settings then its auto.

xcon

ok....its the auto sensing lights
this must have got reset with the many times i have disconnected and reconnected the battery

here is a video of the test
car parked and only park-lights on,when i switch off house exterior lights turned off automatic low beam is on

have a look

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXVJRZxamXI


the light switch positions
Off
park-lights
low beam

not sure how to turn off auto sensing

AngelKiha31

I'm not sure about the 8's auto lights, as mine are manual, but generally the 4th position is an auto on/off selector. Twist it to that with the key in the 'on' position to toggle the auto lights.

If that isn't the case, they might just be stuck being auto.