Taillights won't go off! - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

cannbeaver · 2008-04-25, 07:13 AM

Walking away from my1998 Subaru Legacy L, I noticed that my taillights were still on on . I'm having to remove the fuse to keep from depleting my battery. Do I have to replace the brain, or is there a fix for this?

Thanks!

Dean · 2008-04-25, 07:25 AM

Flip the switch on the top of the steering column.

They are likely your parking lights.

cannbeaver · 2008-04-25, 07:38 AM

When the key is removed all electrics are turned off in the car; lights, lighter, etc., so there is a problem somewhere.

Dean · 2008-04-25, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannbeaver

When the key is removed all electrics are turned off in the car; lights, lighter, etc., so there is a problem somewhere.

Nope, not parking, interior & hazard lights, radio memory, door locks, ECU memory, security system, etc...

cannbeaver · 2008-04-25, 08:34 AM

Since 1999 when I bought the car, when I have left the lights on, when I turned off the ignition, all exterior lights left on when off with the ignition. Now, when I turn off the ignition, the tail lights stay on, whether or not the lights are on.Therein lies my problem.

Dean · 2008-04-25, 08:42 AM

I understand, but the parking lights are not tied to the ignition, and accidentally hitting that switch and asking questions about lights being on is one of the most common Subaruisms in the known universe. Dealers actually cover it in the delivery speech so they don't get quite as many calls on it.

Do the front markers stay on as well?

If so, it is the parking lights and the switch is on top of the steering column.

Have you checked that switch?

If that is not it than you have a very unusual short on the hot side between the always on 12V and that circuit, probably under the dash or in the column.

SteveM · 2008-04-25, 08:46 AM

Right, because the little switch on the top of the steering column has never been switched before. Check that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannbeaver

Since 1999 when I bought the car, when I have left the lights on, when I turned off the ignition, all exterior lights left on when off with the ignition. Now, when I turn off the ignition, the tail lights stay on, whether or not the lights are on.Therein lies my problem.

sperry · 2008-04-25, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Flip the switch on the top of the steering column.

They are likely your parking lights.

cannbeaver · 2008-04-25, 09:12 AM

THANK YOU! I feel silly not noticing it before, now that you have pointed it out. Problem solved. Buying the car used, no one pointed that one out to me. Thanks again!
Candace

cody · 2008-04-25, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannbeaver

Do I have to replace the brain, or is there a fix for this?

Both?

Only foolin'. I bought my car new and still had to learn the hard way...welcome to the club.

Dean · 2008-04-25, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannbeaver

THANK YOU! I feel silly not noticing it before, now that you have pointed it out. Problem solved. Buying the car used, no one pointed that one out to me. Thanks again!
Candace

No problem. I think everyone who is new to Subarus does it once, even if they got the speech.

Usually it happens when you wash your car and dust/Armor All the column.

We try not to steer folks wrong.

Welcome by the way.

sperry · 2008-04-25, 09:34 AM

The other good one is when someone buys a new Subaru that has back-lit gauges and DRLs, they drive around at night with their lights off.

k-dogg39 · 2008-04-25, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Usually it happens when you wash your car and dust/Armor All the column.

Thats when I found it!

100_Percent_Juice · 2008-04-25, 10:44 AM

Dean, this thread reminded me of the time I was in your driveway and you looked at my car and said "how the hell did you get only 1 parking light to stay on?".

JonnydaJibba · 2008-04-25, 01:56 PM

I think it's a right of passage or some such kind of thing.

Kevin M · 2008-04-25, 02:06 PM

It's just a long-running practical joke at FHI.

sperry · 2008-04-25, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin M

It's just a long-running practical joke at FHI.

Not anymore. The new STI is missing the parking light switch on the steering column.

Kevin M · 2008-04-25, 02:20 PM

Guess they finally fired that guy?

Nick Koan · 2008-04-25, 02:37 PM

This reminds me of the time when an unnamed "shop" on i-club posted "God damnit, I just bought a new Subaru and the parking lights won't go off. I had to disconnect the battery all weekend long. Going back to the dealership on Monday"

tysonK · 2008-04-25, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

The other good one is when someone buys a new Subaru that has back-lit gauges and DRLs, they drive around at night with their lights off.

The Subaru light icon on the stalk confused me coming from a NEON.

cannbeaver · 2008-04-25, 05:46 PM

Thank you all for your experiences. I don't feel quite so stupid. I'm short enough that I cannot see the switch while driving, and didn't even know it was there!

Kavid · 2008-04-25, 06:27 PM

Bought mine used and did it right away. So I did it before I got the speech and it only took once

ScottyS · 2008-04-25, 06:46 PM

Ha, I just did that like a month ago - it had been forever since I used the Parking Light switch, and forgot all about it. Fortunately, there were several related threads on the Intarweb......boy did I feel dumb.

MPREZIV · 2008-04-27, 09:57 AM

Every Subaru that comes through our detail department. Every one. I've simply taken to walking by and automatically reaching in to shut off the lights after the detail guys do the interior.

Jeikun · 2008-04-27, 06:22 PM

they moved the light on the 08s... Its on the turn signal switch thing...

2008-04-25, 07:13 AM	#1
cannbeaver n00b Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Taillights won't go off! Walking away from my1998 Subaru Legacy L, I noticed that my taillights were still on on . I'm having to remove the fuse to keep from depleting my battery. Do I have to replace the brain, or is there a fix for this? Thanks!

2008-04-25, 07:25 AM	#2
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Flip the switch on the top of the steering column. They are likely your parking lights. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2008-04-25, 07:38 AM	#3
cannbeaver n00b Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	taillight problem When the key is removed all electrics are turned off in the car; lights, lighter, etc., so there is a problem somewhere.

2008-04-25, 08:42 AM	#6
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I understand, but the parking lights are not tied to the ignition, and accidentally hitting that switch and asking questions about lights being on is one of the most common Subaruisms in the known universe. Dealers actually cover it in the delivery speech so they don't get quite as many calls on it. Do the front markers stay on as well? If so, it is the parking lights and the switch is on top of the steering column. Have you checked that switch? If that is not it than you have a very unusual short on the hot side between the always on 12V and that circuit, probably under the dash or in the column. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids... Last edited by Dean; 2008-04-25 at 08:45 AM.

2008-04-25, 09:34 AM	#12
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	The other good one is when someone buys a new Subaru that has back-lit gauges and DRLs, they drive around at night with their lights off. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2008-04-25, 08:34 AM	#5
cannbeaver n00b Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Since 1999 when I bought the car, when I have left the lights on, when I turned off the ignition, all exterior lights left on when off with the ignition. Now, when I turn off the ignition, the tail lights stay on, whether or not the lights are on.Therein lies my problem.

2008-04-25, 09:12 AM	#9
cannbeaver n00b Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	THANK YOU! I feel silly not noticing it before, now that you have pointed it out. Problem solved. Buying the car used, no one pointed that one out to me. Thanks again! Candace

2008-04-25, 10:44 AM	#14
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	Dean, this thread reminded me of the time I was in your driveway and you looked at my car and said "how the hell did you get only 1 parking light to stay on?". __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2008-04-25, 01:56 PM	#15
JonnydaJibba EJ207 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Reno/Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,482 Car: 2000 2.5RS Class: RestNPeace Master Slurper.	I think it's a right of passage or some such kind of thing. __________________ "Why do chicks tell you to call and then not answer....so gay." "Cuz girls are fags I dunno"

2008-04-25, 02:06 PM	#16
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	It's just a long-running practical joke at FHI. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2008-04-25, 02:20 PM	#18
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Guess they finally fired that guy? __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2008-04-25, 02:37 PM	#19
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	This reminds me of the time when an unnamed "shop" on i-club posted "God damnit, I just bought a new Subaru and the parking lights won't go off. I had to disconnect the battery all weekend long. Going back to the dealership on Monday" __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2008-04-25, 05:46 PM	#21
cannbeaver n00b Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Thank you all for your experiences. I don't feel quite so stupid. I'm short enough that I cannot see the switch while driving, and didn't even know it was there!

2008-04-25, 06:27 PM	#22
Kavid EJ22 Real Name: David Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 156 Car: 09 Impreza 2.5i Sedan No Turbo I Want My WRX Back!	Bought mine used and did it right away. So I did it before I got the speech and it only took once __________________ No Regrets, Live Life

2008-04-25, 06:46 PM	#23
ScottyS EJ205 Real Name: It is real! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: RNO Posts: 2,367 Car: 1998 Impreza Wagon, 1991 Legacy Turbo Sedan, 2003 Nissan Xterra Class: tvFree Yes, I'll fix it for you. Again.	Ha, I just did that like a month ago - it had been forever since I used the Parking Light switch, and forgot all about it. Fortunately, there were several related threads on the Intarweb......boy did I feel dumb. __________________ "Trend Number One is that people aren't getting any smarter." Dogbert

2008-04-27, 09:57 AM	#24
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	Every Subaru that comes through our detail department. Every one. I've simply taken to walking by and automatically reaching in to shut off the lights after the detail guys do the interior. __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2008-04-27, 06:22 PM	#25
Jeikun EJ22 Real Name: Jake Niedle Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Damonte Ranch Posts: 427 Car: 2006 WRX Limited Class: little to none	they moved the light on the 08s... Its on the turn signal switch thing...

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