So... I was driving home from seattle today, and I noticed a weird sound in my dash. Now, my car makes a lot of weird noises, but I know them all, and have identified them, so it's no big deal.

But this is a new sound, which makes me a sad panda

The sound is this: a little clicking sound in my dash, that almost sounds like a little shock... kinda... well, it sounds like something electrical. Anyway, it's a click.

The effect is this: my dash, parking and tail lights are on, when the switch is off. So... my battery is dying right now as we speak. I thougt about pulling the fuse for a temporary solution, but there's no guide on the fusebox, and I really can't take the time to pull each fuse cause I'm at work.

So... what I ask is this.

A) Why are my lights on?

and

B) If you have a picture of the fusebox and can point out to me which one to pull, that would be rad.

Specifics? 94 civic hatch car thingy. Hope that's enough.

Anyway, if you can help me out in anyway, thank you so so much!

 

I would remove the battery cable for now until you get a handle on it. Also, check the condition of the underdash wires for your lights.

 

Yea, I just detatched the battery like you said, thank you.

I did take a quick look at the wires under the dash, and since I've never taken a long, hard look at them, I don't really have anything to compare what they look like now to how they SHOULD look. There were some that were hanging kinda loose, though, so maybe my issue is there.

The thought did cross my mind that someone got into my car and tried to steal it, but failed for some crazy reason... although, I haven't the slightest idea how hotwiring a car works, so I dont' know if my loose wires would be related or not. Also, I'm pretty sure my door was locked... although I was not quite in a state of to have double checked... not puking was foremost in my mind. (No, I wasn't driving. I'm not that dumb.) And there was no sign of forced entry.

Anyway, I'll get to the bottom of this, just like Scooby and the gang would!

 

If your wiring looks like someone went through it, this coud be the source of your problem. The thieves probably pulled on the wires and screwed everything up. With the loose wires, the insulation probably wore off from vibrations and leaving the wires exposed.

 

I think gwl is onto something. While the car is off, wiggle the wires around a good bit and see if the wires flicker or turn off. If this occurs, one or more of the connections is broken and touching another wire which is causing your lights to stay on. A thief can gain access to a locked car with a slim jim.

 

While I was looking at the wires, I did see the lights go off then back on briefly. I wasn't able to re-create it, though. Granted, I was trying to do it quick so I wouldn't be late to work, so I wasn't that thorough.

You'd think that if they were able to get into my car without so much as a scratch, that they'd have the know-how to get it started. I mean, I'm so very very glad they didn't, but still...

Anyway, thanks guys. I'll mess around with the wires today when I get home. I mean, obviously fixing it will be just as easy as screwing it up, especially with my lack of experience, right? Yay for trial and error!

 

That sucks, hopefully they try to break into it again so you can shoot them in the face with a shotgun.

 

i know when they tried to jack my car they removed the plastic piece under the steering wheel broke the metal protector plate and then unscrewed the ignition. was there any plastics out of place

 

I had that clicking problem last summer, and it was my battery dying. But I didnt have a problem with my lights, so obviously that's not the issue..

 

No, there was no plastic out of place, abs, at least that I noticed.

My battery is brand new, so I'm 99% sure that it's not my battery going out... at least, I hope it aint.

Anyway, last night as I was pushing my seat back to get in position under my dash the lights just clicked themselves back off... yay for not having to disable the battery every time I get out of my car, but BOO! for not being able to play with my wires and finger out what's going on.

So for now I'll ignore this problem (just like the rubbing sound I hear when I go in reverse) until I have money to fix it. I'm thinkin another month and I'll be good to go!