Lights won't switch off

[Simonjdcooper]

Having driven about 20 mins. I pull up, switched the ignition off. When I went to drive off, the headlights wouldn't come on with the swivel switch on the stalk. The lights have gone in the dash as well.
I opened the fuse box under the bonnet 2.8 ducato and managed to get the lights in by removing and refitting the plastic cover on the relay (?) but the lights now won't go off with the switch and the dash has still lost lighting..
Any ideas? We are halfway to Wales for a long weekend!
TiA

 

[Montezuma]

Is this a relay issue ?

I am no expert, but I once had a similar problem with a Ducato horn that would not work, and then suddenly decided to work while parked up at Calais docks at 2 o' clock in the morning.

On starting the engine the horn stopped, so we drove off and stopped at a rest area on the Autoroute.

The horn started as soon as I turned the engine off, so I took the fuse out.

When we reached the planned destination, near Langres, I cast about for a Fiat dealer, but it was Saturday afternoon and there was nowt doing.

Over the weekend I kept on fiddling with the fuse, and the relay, but the horn kept on misbehaving.

On the Monday morning, I drove to the local Fiat dealership, and explained the problem, having rehearsed the necessary lingo.

I stuck the fuse back in, to illustrate the problem, and nowt happened. Sod's Law, the problem had magically fixed itself.

'Un relais de klaxon coincé' was the diagnosis according to the French Fiat mechanic. Not uncommon in hot weather, . . . . so he said. The problem never reoccurred, although the horn itself failed and needed placing some time later.

All very odd, but then we are talking Fiat.

 

[Simonjdcooper]

Is this a relay issue ?

I am no expert, but I once had a similar problem with a Ducato horn that would not work, and then suddenly decided to work while parked up at Calais docks at 2 o' clock in the morning.

On starting the engine the horn stopped, so we drove off and stopped at a rest area on the Autoroute.

The horn started as soon as I turned the engine off, so I took the fuse out.

When we reached the planned destination, near Langres, I cast about for a Fiat dealer, but it was Saturday afternoon and there was nowt doing.

Over the weekend I kept on fiddling with the fuse, and the relay, but the horn kept on misbehaving.

On the Monday morning, I drove to the local Fiat dealership, and explained the problem, having rehearsed the necessary lingo.

I stuck the fuse back in, to illustrate the problem, and nowt happened. Sod's Law, the problem had magically fixed itself.

'Un relais de klaxon coincé' was the diagnosis according to the French Fiat mechanic. Not uncommon in hot weather, . . . . so he said. The problem never reoccurred, although the horn itself failed and needed placing some time later.

All very odd, but then we are talking Fiat.

Just pulled the cap off the relay and the lights went out. What I don't get is why the dash lights aren't working even when the headlights are. Wish I'd fitted that bull bar now...

 

[Landy Andy]

Sounds like a new relay is required. You may be able to swap with something else is the box as manufacturers often use the same type relay multiple times.

 

[RustyRuss]

Relays are really easy to get from motor factors or from Halfrauds. Take the old one along for comparison. You should easily see change out of £5.

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[Simonjdcooper]

Sounds like a new relay is required. You may be able to swap with something else is the box as manufacturers often use the same type relay multiple times.

I agree, but would that cause the dash lights to go fail too?

 

[Landy Andy]

I agree, but would that cause the dash lights to go fail too?

Yes. I think all supply could go through relay. Alternatively you may also have blown a fuse whilst playing and having problems with relay.

 

[Landy Andy]

You could bridge the relay if you know you way around electrics, and test it.

 

[Simonjdcooper]

You could bridge the relay if you know you way around electrics, and test it.

hard pass!

 

[Simonjdcooper]

Turns out the fuse for the dash had blown, lhs fuse box in the dash 5th fuse along the top row. Swapped out problem gone. Bit of a miracle we got all the way to Wales without it...

Not so plain sailing on the way home. Cheapo chinese stereo burnt out thankfully it was just popping and smoke rather than a fire in the cab!

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