Dash lights won't go off

[fionamac4]

Used search and all I can find is problems with the aux barrel switch, that's not my problem. Radio head unit/fans/etc cut out when I take my keys out but the dash lights don't. It's not been a problem so far but it's started draining my battery now so need to get it sorted. Anyone had a similar problem? Any ideas how to sort it? Or just whip the fuse out and live with it? Cheers!

 

[Seatmann]

Might be a bad earth or another fuse blown causing the power to go elsewhere, I take it the headlights are switching off ok?

 

[fionamac4]

Head lights are going off fine, car gets parked facing the garden gate so I'd soon notice that Sat and pulled out every fuse relating to dash/interior lights and the stupid things are still on. The only ones I can get off are the lights around the radio headunit. Dash lights, window switches, heater dials won't cut at all.
Anyone got any idea how much of a pain it'll be to access the wiring? Time isn't something I've got much of right now so if it's going to be a fiddle this is going to have to be a garage job

 

[Seatmann]

The dash is fairly easy to remove from the Mk3 if needed, I just had mine out not long ago on the same age cordy. There's a big bunch of plugs right up behind the fusebox and another few up under the passenger side. I think you must have a bad earth up in there somewhere.

I take it there's no other symptoms at all?

 

[fionamac4]

Nah nothing at all. No guessing what I'm spending my day off this week doing then!

 

[Seatmann]

I think you really need a wiring diagram but F knows where you'll get one, haynes can be useful for that but they don't do one for my car but I would start by checking the plugs etc on the back of the fuse box and maybe pull the relays out and see if the lights go off, there could be a relay involved too after all, it might be a simple fix but I don't know, good luck with it. Where are you located?

 

[fionamac4]

Haynes don't do one for the ibizas either. One of the boys has a mk2 he's prepping to rally next year though so might see how similar they are, he's better than me at finding useful manuals.
I'm in Skye half the time and Glasgow the other half. So anyone passes a red mk3 on the A82 it's probably me putting in a cheeky wee 500mile round trip to get away from either work or uni haha!

 

[Seatmann]

Just find the supply wire for the dash lights and fit a switch lol

 

[fionamac4]

Dad suggested that but you need a degree in electronics to do anything in his car so not that eager to take his advice yet!

 

[fionamac4]

And am I right in thinking that you're a fellow scot?

 

[Seatmann]

Na they're the same old same old, just a bunch of wires going away and coming back, where they go, who knows?

 

[Seatmann]

Glenisla bud, up in the hills

 

[fionamac4]

Glenisla bud, up in the hills

That out Pitlochry kind of way? As for up in the hills... West coast pal!

 

[Seatmann]

Lol na angus glens.

 

[fionamac4]

Haha apparently I don't have enough posts to be allowed to put pics in but if there's one good thing about this place it's the hills (when the roads actually have a surface on them...). Old corsa was amazing on skye roads, great fun times!

 

[Seatmann]

Yeh but it's full of sheep and midges.

 

[fionamac4]

Haha spot on! Been before then aye? Nocturnal too?

 

[fionamac4]

(If this actually works then think that proves the hills one!)

 

[Seatmann]

Lol no it didn't work. Upload to photobucket or something then click go advanced and 4th icon from the right, delete what's in the box and paste in the direct link from where ever.

 

[fionamac4]

Done!!