Headlamp Switch Starts My Explorer

[windomino]

Hello All, I have another Explorer this time a 1999. This is my third one of the XLS Model. In any event this is a weird one. The headlamp Switch which turns on the headlights when that is in the on position and the dimmer switch scroll up the explorer trys to start with no key in the ignition. Now when the key is in the ignition and I use the dimmer scroll wheel and the lights are on it sounds like it does when the car is on and you try and turn the key to on and you hear that started noise. I am sure you all know what I mean. Help me out please and Thank You in Advance.

 

[briwayjones]

Woo, sounds like you have some major shorts going on.

 

[budwich]

has the problem always been there from "purchase"????? remote starter wired in by any chance?????

Added: go to your interior fuse panel and pull your starter relay fuse (24 in my 96... do know what in yours). Go thru your same test, if it starts with the light switch then it is "unlikely" that your problem is with your ignition / key switch but somewhere else.

 

[Charlie]

Well, at least you won't be driving with your lights off

 

[TheJackal]

Dang, that's strange. Did the car always do that, or is it just a recent issue? Sounds to me like the result of a crappy remote start install or such.

Take a look from under the dash and see what's back there. Original wires are usually contained in black plastic tape and tubing. Like they say "If it looks like spaghetti, it's probably cooked."

 

[CDW6212R]

It sounds like either a wiring problem, or someone thought that it would be trick to be able to start it without a key. You can wire things that way if you really wanted to. I'd fix it to be like normal if it was mine. Find the remote start module etc. Good luck,

 

[aeaglenfitch]

i know a guy who wired his ignition so you could only start it with the brights on as a anti theft feature, after the car was started you could turn them off. i doubt thats what this guy was doing but its possible. idk.

 

[CDW6212R]

That's a good idea!

 

[TheJackal]

This site has information on how to wire those passive starter kill switches: http://www.the12volt.com/relays/page2.asp

From what it sounds like though I wouldn't think this is the problem. Even if those relays are sticking, if wired properly, you'd still need the key to start it. It doesn't have the capability of powering anything on its own.

As far as wiring it so that you don't need a key to start it, then they did a poor job of that. You wouldn't want the starter grinding every time you switch on the headlights. And the PATS wouldn't let you start without the key in ignition anyway.

I'd definitely check it out. Either you have some wiring melted together somewhere or you're the victim of one really crappy install job.