Q: Interior and parking lights stay on after car has been turned off - 1978 Buick Electra

asked by on September 07, 2016

There are some electrical issues occuring in my car and I would like to fix them. When I turn the engine off, the interior lights won't turn off. I have to take the fuse out so as to turn them off. Also, the parking lights stay on until I disconnect the battery. How can I fix this?

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car overheating and leaking
If the truck is leaking after a radiator replacement then something may be loose. If the leak cannot be easily seen then I typically do a cooling system pressure test first to see if I can find the leak. Hopefully...
Car sputters/stops at red lights and won't restart
Hello. This can be caused by a few things. Most of the time it is a failure in the crankshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor). The sensor fails and causes the computer to lose engine speed signal which turns it off. I...
Brakes out hitting hole
Hi there, thanks for writing in about your 2000 Ford E-250. Some master cylinders will let in just a little bit of air when the fluid is splashed around too much in the reservoir, which is likely what has happened to yours....
on/off humming sound over 65mph
A "humming noise" while driving at speed can be caused by tires or wheel bearings (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-bearings-replacement). If you drive with the window open and you hear the noise outside the car, like the sound bouncing back at you from a...
My passenger headlight keeps going out, then tap it and comes back on?
Hello. This sounds like the bulb filament in the glass is intermittently loose or the plug connection to the back of the bulb is loose, corroded, broken, or intermittent. If the bulbs are many years old, they have probably lost...
Knocking when starting from a cold start
This is somewhat normal as the oil sits down in the oil pan when the car has sat for an extended period of time. When you first start it in the morning, it takes a bit of time for the...
Fuel pump won't energize
Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic. Either you have the wrong fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) for the vehicle or the circuits to the fuel pump are shorted together and causing an issue with the fuel indicator an pump. The pump should...
How would I know if it was my upper or lower oxygen sensor that has gone out?
Typically if an oxygen sensor is bad, the check engine light would come on and a fault code stored in the engine control unit. There are other ways a technician can verify if oxygen sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oxygen-sensor-replacement) are performing as they...
My oil light stays on
It is possible that debris from the clean up has found its way to the crankcase and thence onto the oil pump pickup screen partially clogging the sump. Also, you want to make sure that the wiring harness to the...

Related articles

5 Essential Things to Know About Roadside Emergency Kits
Whether Whether it’s summer or winter, spring or fall – you should always have certain items available in your vehicle’s roadside emergency kit. Dead batteries, flat tires, and overheated engines can occur at any time. While most people have a...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Fuse
If your car's accessories are shutting off on their own or you find a black fuse, you should inspect the car's fuses and replace broken ones.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Tailgate Lock Solenoid
Common signs include the tailgate not unlocking and the tailgate opening on its own without any buttons being pressed.