General GP Lights will not turn off unless engine is off

[Jetstar Grande]

Just come home from a 40 mile trip at night and switched my light off on the stalk but to my suprise the lights stayed on!
Both side and full headlights are on while the engine is running and will only go off when I turn the engine off, this means tomorrow morning when i go to work in daylight my headlights will be on so I`ll probably get flashed by loads of cars.

The only assistance I can offer is that i washed the car earlier using a low pressure hose but didnt go into the engine bay, do i suspect a short somewhere and what can i do to check it out?

Finally my 1.3GP MJ is its its 3rd year warrenty so will this problem be covered through the Fiat garage?

thanks

 

[OLZ]

Does it display anything on the trip-computer screen i.e. "Follow Me"
When you switch the engine off and flick the highbeam stalk, it turns the lights on so that you can "see to your door" if you keep flicking it, the time it stays on for increases by 30seconds.

It could be your switch has got stuck? Does it go off eventually?

 

[punto_matt]

Driving with lights or at least side lights on in the day is good practise. Mine never go off and ive never been flashed by other cars.

 

[dj_mtbiker_no1]

yea i wouldnt see this as a problem i agree with matt my lights are always on. especially with my new h.i.d`s

 

[Jason_6780]

It's a good idea, I always notice cars more with them on (i.e Volvos and new Audis with the LEDs).

 

[beany_bot]

Yeah, i drive with my lights on in everything but perfect sunny weather. and when i say lights i mean dipped beam not sidelights which are completely pointless if you ask me (apart from obv the back which is the same)

 

[JimbbobW1977]

It's a good idea, I always notice cars more with them on (i.e Volvos and new Audis with the LEDs).

Volvos have been wired up for years to always have their lights on due to poor lighting conditions in sweedish winters!

 

[colin79666]

New law in the EU will soon mean all new cars have to have day time running lights. I often drive about with my lights on - simply because it means no one has the excuse that they couldn't see me when they cut me up.

 

[Garree001]

Volvos have been wired up for years to always have their lights on due to poor lighting conditions in sweedish winters!

'Tis true! And replacing bulbs on a Volvo is like filling it with fuel - you end up doing it every few hundred miles lol.

 

[Jetstar Grande]

Does it display anything on the trip-computer screen i.e. "Follow Me"
When you switch the engine off and flick the highbeam stalk, it turns the lights on so that you can "see to your door" if you keep flicking it, the time it stays on for increases by 30seconds.

It could be your switch has got stuck? Does it go off eventually?

Thanks to everyone who replied, i checked the procedure for the follow me home set up which isnt the problem so I called the AA while at work and the bloke was really helpful with advice and reckons its a faulty switch built into the lights/indicator stalk.
So i called FIAT stockport but the service dept said it may be a wiring fault meaning its not part of the 3rd year warranty (typical) but couldnt confirm it until they looked at it, if it is the wiring it could cost a lot so for now I`ll live with them staying on and like PuntoMatt suggested and i didnt get flashed coming home!! who needs a volvo lol!

 

[T14086]

Its very likely it is the switch, the garage is only making you aware it 'could' be a wiring fault which you would have to pay.

 

[Garree001]

Don't sl@g off Volvos! They are like tanks. I've seen one go straight through a front wall and out the other side of the garden and still work after. I think more than the bulbs needed replacing though

 

[Jetstar Grande]

Its very likely it is the switch, the garage is only making you aware it 'could' be a wiring fault which you would have to pay.

Ah there you are `T`....I was hoping you would assist

yes my thoughts too, i`m taking it to another FIAT dealer tomorrow afternoon so will keep you posted with the outcome. fingers are crossed

 

[T14086]

Personally i'd quickly remove cowlings & plug in subsitute switch, take about 5 minutes to find out if switch faulty or not.

 

[Jetstar Grande]

Personally i'd quickly remove cowlings & plug in subsitute switch, take about 5 minutes to find out if switch faulty or not.

yeah thats easy for you to do but i have nil mechanical/electrical skills and would probably make things worse lol
anyway good news, today i took my MJ into Corts Fiat in Bury and within 2 hours i was driving away with a new switch/stalk all done under warranty so 10/10 for Corts customer service.
I use them for the annual service and find them very good so anyone who wants recommendation for your Fiat in North Manchester/Lancs area go to Courts...:slayer:

 

[T14086]

7 screws & a multiplug

Glad its sorted anyway