Side and rear lights stay on fault problem X300 XJR

[piemanpaul]

My 1996 x300 XJR developed a strange fault last night - upon parking the car and turning off the lights and ignition the sidelights and rear lights stayed on!

Now upon removing keys and turning off the lights switch the dash lights did go out and the warning buzzer stopped (so doesn't seem like a problem with the lights rotary switch?)

Multiple attempts at switching lights and engine on and off had no effect - the side and rear lights stayed on. A drive around the block finally offered what I suspect to be a temp cure to the problem.

So what can this be? I was thinking maybe a sticking relay? Are the side and rear lights operated via a relay? A friend of mine mentioned that there may be some form of lighting control box to blame that is located somewhere in the boot? How do I solve this?

[melhook]

Past experience would suggest a fault with the light switch. The wires were very tightly packed inside the stalk, and over a period of time used to break. Possible that one has broken and is earthing out or something. That would be my first point of inspection. Keep us posted.

[terminalreality]

I agree with melhook. I had a similar problem with the sidelights on my '98 xjr. the fault did lie with the light switch stalk. Mine was indeed repaired with a steady hand and a soldering iron. Good luck and hope this helps with your problem
Andy.