Dashboard panel problem..HELP, please!

[Rose]

My dashboard does NOT turn off. I turn the car off take the key out of the ignition and the dashboard iluminates like a Christmas tree , like if the key was in the ignition switch to almost turn it on. I have NO idea what it is and it's driving me crazy since I have to take the plug out of the battery so it won't suck the life out of it. Has anyone had this problem or does anyone know what it could be and what to do??

(P.S. It's a 1998 Ford Explorer 4X2 V6 SOCH, 219,000 miles)

 

[Rose]

My dashboard does NOT turn off. I turn the car off take the key out of the ignition and the dashboard iluminates like a Christmas tree , like if the key was in the ignition switch to almost turn it on. I have NO idea what it is and it's driving me crazy since I have to take the plug out of the battery so it won't suck the life out of it. Has anyone had this problem or does anyone know what it could be and what to do??

(P.S. It's a 1998 Ford Explorer 4X2 V6 SOCH, 219,000 miles)

Does anyone know what the problem here could be??? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE .......

 

[budwich]

Are your headlights on? If so, (probably doesn't matter) then it likely your headlight switch. The other possible cause is your park lamp relay which may be stuck or getting a "control message" to operate.

 

[Turdle]

That is tied into the light switch, there is also the dimmer switch. What happens when you dim the cluster??
--I am wondering if there is a relay in the circuit also--
My diagram doesn't show how the instrument illumination is controlled-

 

[Tbars4]

i myself would try the obvious first and replace the ignition switch....i only say this as i believe when you say it lights up like a xmas tree, you mean all the warning lights come on....can you be a little more descriptive....

 

[Turdle]

Are your headlights on? If so, (probably doesn't matter) then it likely your headlight switch. The other possible cause is your park lamp relay which may be stuck or getting a "control message" to operate.

That is the only connected relay in my diagram also-

 

[budwich]

Actually now that I see one of the other posts and re-read your original, its most likely your ignition switch.

 

[Millertime1987]

Stupid question but do you have a timer for the lights to stay on a certain amount of time? That is now set for a long period of time.

 

[Rose]

Stupid question but do you have a timer for the lights to stay on a certain amount of time? That is now set for a long period of time.

No the headlights do not stay on,just the instrument panel and the little amber lights. When I say that the lights stay on like an Xmas tree, I mean that when I turn the car off and take the key out, check engine, check gage, everything stays on like when you have the key and are about to start the car. No it doesn't have a timer either. I used to be able to turn the car off and everything turn off with it. Thanks I will check the knob that turns the headlights on and off, maybe the problem comes from there. The dimmer dims the lights. But thats not it I think!

 

[budwich]

it isn't any of your light controls. Because of your initial description of the problem, its was somewhat "unclear". Your further clarification definitely points an ignition switch failure.

 

[Rose]

it isn't any of your light controls. Because of your initial description of the problem, its was somewhat "unclear". Your further clarification definitely points an ignition switch failure.

Oh, ok then. And here I always thought the ignition was for only starting the car... The car starts with no problem though.

:biggthump Thank you VERY MUCH!!!
I will have that checked in a jiffy.
PS anything I should do to make sure or any way I can fix it??

 

[Tbars4]

^^^READ ABOVE POST^^^ lol, you can inexpensively change your ignition switch....the only downfall is you will have new keys for the igition...i believe your ign. switch went bad over the years of use...you can get them at pep boy's, autozone, etc...for i believe under 20 bucks....

 

[Rose]

GREAT!!!!! Thanks. But will it interfiere with the Anti theft that came with Explorer??