So all of the sudden - with the car turned off and the key out of the ignition, signal lights, stereo, wipers etc. all work as if the car was turned on. What the heck??

The only thing I can think of that I was trying to get the steering wheel off the other day and reefed on the wheel a bit hard and broke the wheel lock - I don't think that's it OR could it be my stupid hazard switch doing this??

Rob

Sounds like the ignition switch possibly got damaged when you broke the wheel lock.

Sounds like the ignition switch possibly got damaged when you broke the wheel lock.

Is this a big deal to change out? I have access to two E21's. If you can give me a little guidance I'll go and get a new switch.

Rob

I don't think they are too bad to swap out. Haven't done one but I have removed signal switches and I think it only is a couple steps away.

Will check my manual if you don't get any other replies and need a step by step. I think you may need one with a key - hope someone with better experience knows more about this. Might be a good idea to grab a spare signal switch while your at that gold mine of a wrecker yard too. Jealous.

Cheers
Dale

It could be that you also only crossed some ignition wires, scope it out first.

It could be that you also only crossed some ignition wires, scope it out first.

Hi,

Thanks. Would I look for this in the switch area on the steering column :rolleyes

Rob

Yea, just dismantle the area in which you were so you can expose the wires. There should be five wires, test them with a voltage meter. You'll have to play with switch with the key, I'm not sure what the all five operate, you might need a manual or ask someone here. It's a good thing you have back-up's, because it's about $200.00 for a new ignition.

Ok then, back to the lectrical issue.

I took the wheel off and removed the lower cover on the steering column. I don't see anything that could be wrong there at all - whatever that means.

I do see one grey wire with a white connector on the lower left hand side of the column that looks like its never been plugged in. I don't think this is the source of the issue but I'm interested in what that wire might be for. There is no wire present that would plug into it.

I'm really stumped on this one and I don't know which wires are supposed to be live or not when the key is in the "on" position.

Eye82 - I know you're a busy guy today but when you get a chance to shoot me some info that would be great.

If anyone else has some insite I would appreciate it.

Rob

argh! my car has started doing exactly the same thing this week. freaky:confused

what i've done to fix it is throw a switch on the acc wire (the purple one going into the ignition key barrel). This has fixed it... sort of.

Except that now everything STILL comes on somehow. I thought i had it sussed out yesterday, about 1 second after pushing the brake pedal with my new switch turned off, everything else turned off. Except that today, even that doesnt work, ie - regardless of how i have that switch in the acc wire, everything remains turned on.

Has anyone got any ideas?


(edit: sorry to steal your thread)

argh! my car has started doing exactly the same thing this week. freaky:confused

what i've done to fix it is throw a switch on the acc wire (the purple one going into the ignition key barrel). This has fixed it... sort of.

Except that now everything STILL comes on somehow. I thought i had it sussed out yesterday, about 1 second after pushing the brake pedal with my new switch turned off, everything else turned off. Except that today, even that doesnt work, ie - regardless of how i have that switch in the acc wire, everything remains turned on.

Has anyone got any ideas?


(edit: sorry to steal your thread)

Not at all; the more the merrier.
What do you think led up to this problem? I'm "assuming" mine started because I accidentally cranked the steering wheel too hard when steering wheel was locked. I'm still not completely convinced.

I had been doing some other work with my gauge cluster (new one installed). I may have pinched or unplugged something when putting in the new cluster - I don't know what but it's possible.

Another clue - it was intermittent before but as of last night it's much more often - when I put my headlights to highbeam there is about a .5 second hesitation before they go to bright. It used to be instantanious.

Has anyone had that problem? It might be the signal light/highbeam switch that's causing the entire issue - dare to dream.

Anyone?

Thanks,
Rob

with the help of a cloud of smoke, i managed to find what it was for me last night.

once again, the ever deadly hazard light switch. I've had it apart before to fix the usual old 'it wont turn off' problem, but it turned out that one of the other contacts in there must have just been ever so slightly shorting out on another. It was soooo fragile that even pushing a button on my radio way down below was enough to bend the center console enough to make it short out.
let alone wiggling the button itself, which made all the acc power jump on and off.

i've had it to bits and bent them all and stuff, and its been absolutely perfect.

i've been thinking. how often do i even WANT the hazard lights on? - so over the next couple of weeks, when i have some spare time I'm going to bypass it, and i'll take photos along the way and stick them up here.

As for you though, after learning that the switch is kinda the.... central hub of all the acc power, i would try wiggling the button around inside there, or taking it out all together and see what that does for you...
let us know how you go with it

It would seem the hazard switch is the cause of more problems than it's worth. I guess when I buy new one I'll buy three so I'll have two back-ups. The unfortunate thing about anything, is age, and with age things dry out. I bet there's many of things that could go wrong with the electrical system in time.

As for you though, after learning that the switch is kinda the.... central hub of all the acc power, i would try wiggling the button around inside there, or taking it out all together and see what that does for you...
let us know how you go with it

I am with you 110% I think that's exactly what the problem is! :buttrockI've had this problem ever since I replaced my hazard switch with another from a part car. Same thing happened - little puff of smoke, some sizzling - good times. I guess I'll dig in a take this damn switch apart.

I have had a switch apart in the past - I found it was difficult to get apart to the point where a vise would have been handy. Is there trick to cracking these open easier?

Rob

I have had a switch apart in the past - I found it was difficult to get apart to the point where a vise would have been handy. Is there trick to cracking these open easier?


i really dont think that there is. I usually use at least 2 jewellers screwdrivers and peel it open, not unlike taking a tire off a bike rim. no matter how you tackle it, its a biatch to open.

UPDATE:

Now I know that the hazard switch is the problem. I pushed and pulled and if you hold your tongue just right the acc thing goes away.

I'm going to have rip the stupid switch apart to investigate - any information on an easier way to crack the swith open?

Rob

BUMP -

Hi,

Anyone have advise on the easiest way to get the switch apart?

best way is to get a couple of screwdrivers and pry them in. after this, spread them apart and work your way around the casing in opposite directions. theres no way to do it nicely, but dont worry, they're pretty tough. ive thrown mine as hard as i can a couple of times and it hasnt shattered or even dented.

ive thrown mine as hard as i can a couple of times and it hasnt shattered or even dented.

I'm close to that - good to know I can't hurt it....... If it weren't for the fact that the signal lights won't work without the switch plugged - it wouldn't be. For now I have found that one of the switches that I have that don't work is the least not working. At least when you plug it in it doesn't smoke or short out the ACC's in the car. It's a funny one because if you take off the red cap and push the button in at a slight angle EVERYTHING works as it should. I'm probably going to jam something in there to hold it in position and cut the fingers off of anyone who tries to play with it. :rolleyes

Rob

BUMP -

Hi,

Anyone have advise on the easiest way to get the switch apart?

With a very LARGE hammer:lol, if you a vise you could crank until you hear crack - crunch, or you could try what they all said.