Running Lights will not turn off (dash, tail, license plate lamps)
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11-14-2019
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: San Jose, CA
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Running Lights will not turn off (dash, tail, license plate lamps)
Hello All. My first post, with crossed fingers. Please restore my faith in community!
I have a 2002 Ranger XLT, RWD, 3.0L V6. Purchased used, so I don't know it's history, but assume it's been in California it's whole life based on lack of rust anywhere.
Recently a new electrical gremlin took up residence (there are plenty already in residence that I'm ignoring) in which the parking lights will not turn off, regardless of headlight switch position. (The dash illumination, tail lamps, and license plate lights are all stuck on as well.) The problem started as intermittent, but now appears to have become permanent.
First, I assume a stuck relay. However, I've looked in my shop manual - cannot find a reference to a relay anywhere in the system. Some online resources claim a relay in the under-hood-behind-battery fuse box - I've checked each, there is no associated relay there. (There is a relay for towing a trailer, but it is 1) functional in that it clicks on and off with the headlight switch, and 2) removing it has no effect on the problem.) Other internet postings claim there is a relay but that it floats around with the model year? Bottom line, I cannot find a relay in the schematics, cannot find a relay in any of the fuse boxes, cannot hear a click of a relay when I turn the headlight switch in a quiet place (that is how I found the trailer/tow relay). Does anybody have any helpful information on parking lamps relay existence?
That said, I don't believe it is associated with DRL. I believe it is a California born ranger, not Canadian, so DRL is not mandated. Also, the issue is with my parking lights, not my headlights - the headlights work normally via the switch.
I have keyless entry, although the FOB died about 4 months ago. Cannot say if it's related. However, using the FOB does (did) blink the running lights. So, again, a relay somewhere that I cannot find? Also related to keyless entry, when I lock my Ranger, the running lights would blink - same keyless entry / security system controlling the lights, somehow. However, I don't have any info on the keyless entry electrical system.
Any guidance would be much appreciated - my daily ride is currently sitting with the battery cables pulled. Very sad.
Thanks.
I have a 2002 Ranger XLT, RWD, 3.0L V6. Purchased used, so I don't know it's history, but assume it's been in California it's whole life based on lack of rust anywhere.
Recently a new electrical gremlin took up residence (there are plenty already in residence that I'm ignoring) in which the parking lights will not turn off, regardless of headlight switch position. (The dash illumination, tail lamps, and license plate lights are all stuck on as well.) The problem started as intermittent, but now appears to have become permanent.
First, I assume a stuck relay. However, I've looked in my shop manual - cannot find a reference to a relay anywhere in the system. Some online resources claim a relay in the under-hood-behind-battery fuse box - I've checked each, there is no associated relay there. (There is a relay for towing a trailer, but it is 1) functional in that it clicks on and off with the headlight switch, and 2) removing it has no effect on the problem.) Other internet postings claim there is a relay but that it floats around with the model year? Bottom line, I cannot find a relay in the schematics, cannot find a relay in any of the fuse boxes, cannot hear a click of a relay when I turn the headlight switch in a quiet place (that is how I found the trailer/tow relay). Does anybody have any helpful information on parking lamps relay existence?
That said, I don't believe it is associated with DRL. I believe it is a California born ranger, not Canadian, so DRL is not mandated. Also, the issue is with my parking lights, not my headlights - the headlights work normally via the switch.
I have keyless entry, although the FOB died about 4 months ago. Cannot say if it's related. However, using the FOB does (did) blink the running lights. So, again, a relay somewhere that I cannot find? Also related to keyless entry, when I lock my Ranger, the running lights would blink - same keyless entry / security system controlling the lights, somehow. However, I don't have any info on the keyless entry electrical system.
Any guidance would be much appreciated - my daily ride is currently sitting with the battery cables pulled. Very sad.
Thanks.
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