Door lights

[Will49]

My door lights don't go out even when doors are closed and so draining my battery.
Thoughts anybody?

[MetBlue]

Obvious question, but if you're in the middle of a refurb, are your doors cards fitted. Without the inner card, there's nothing to reach the plunger.
If cards are on, pull the feed wire to the switch . If light goes off, switch is the issue.
Remember there's a time delay in the circuit so light won't go off immediately.
Tony

[Will49]

Many thanks for the advice MetBlue. Dooe cards are on and with door shut the light is still on after 15 minutes which I am sure isnt the normal delay periiod.
Ill now do as you advice re the button wiring.

[Alan_M]

The switch position can be adjusted. Try holding in each one as far as it will go to see if that turns out the lights. If it does adjust switch. If not, then going to need to use tester on switches, or pull wires as Tony says to eliminate each one in turn. Driver’s side not too difficult, passenger’s side not so.
If that’s all ok, then short in the wiring or relay fault.

[John]

Each light also has a 3 way switch, i'd check them as well as ther door switches;

Switch forward - lamp operates via the door switches and should go off after 10 seconds once door closed.
Switch in middle position - lamp off.
Switch rearward - lamp on.

Good luck

John

[Zag]

Remove the delay relay (long yellow one under steering column) then you can tell instantly if what you are doing is working. Without it fitted the lights work in the same way.

[Hawaiis0]

Water in the relay with all the down pours we had recently?

[Tanz]

I had the same problem when I bought my car in 2007. The door card wasn't pushing the switch in far enough. I glued a piece of packing to the back of the door card where the switch makes contact and all has been well since.

[rbgosling]

Remove the delay relay (long yellow one under steering column) then you can tell instantly if what you are doing is working. Without it fitted the lights work in the same way.

Does that mean that, with the relay just removed, the lights will come on and off with the door switch? My delay is very sporadic, about one time in 4-5 it works perfectly, the rest of the time the lights go out as soon as the door is closed. Other relays in that bank have filled with water previously, so that would be a strong contender as a suspect!

Not really the highest priority fix (coolant leaks, steering rack gaiter, puncture, door seal leaks, exhaust leaks at the very least come first!), but I'm still curious and would like to fix it one day....

[Zag]

Yes it does. I removed mine as it was causing a slight current draw leaving the LEDs glowing dimly at all times. Now the lights switch off instantly when the switch is depressed.

[Will49]

Gentelmen many thanks for all of the ideas which will all be explored. in the short tem i took out the bulbs to stop the drain.

[wrxseeker]

Yes it does. I removed mine as it was causing a slight current draw leaving the LEDs glowing dimly at all times. Now the lights switch off instantly when the switch is depressed.

Thanks for posting this - I’ve noticed my LEDs doing exactly the same tonight and search has brought this thread up - I will be unplugging the relay.

Mines a 1984 so is it still under the steering column please ?

[Zag]

Section 17.03a of the parts manual suggests it is mounted on the pedal box on a pre 86 however being hand built and having had over 40 years of previous owners it could be anywhere in that general area.

[wrxseeker]

Section 17.03a of the parts manual suggests it is mounted on the pedal box on a pre 86 however being hand built and having had over 40 years of previous owners it could be anywhere in that general area.

Thanks I will take a look.

[dancroft1984]

Yes it does. I removed mine as it was causing a slight current draw leaving the LEDs glowing dimly at all times. Now the lights switch off instantly when the switch is depressed.

Thanks for posting this - I’ve noticed my LEDs doing exactly the same tonight and search has brought this thread up - I will be unplugging the relay.

Mines a 1984 so is it still under the steering column please ?

Afraid not, it's mounted to the top of the pedal box. Just had to take my pedal box out (84/85 car) so can tell you how to get to it. Pop the dash faceplate trim fixings out (they're poppers), pull the dash faceplate trim off. Then unscrew the dash (5 screws from memory). Lift the padded dash cover off, forward and up. Pull the dash forward slightly, get your hand behind it and unscrew the speedo drive, then it lifts out the way and you can see the relay.

It's not as bad as it sounds. You may be able to get away with not removing the speedo drive.