Author Topic: dim interior light kills battery  (Read 942 times)

Offline Alps

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 128
dim interior light kills battery
« on: 23 January 2005, 19:07 »
ok, have an interior light that comes on really dim if i keep it on the auto (switch on with door) even when the door is shut.

when i switch it off on the light, the dim light turns off.

it comes on and off, but on auto it stays on really dim, then in the morning flat battery.

someone mentioned bad earth, where can i start to check?

any ideas guys?

this is on the mk1 rivage by the way

already changed the fuse box, but this didnt help!
Alps

Mk1 Rivage - 1992 Green
E55 AMG 2004
C36 AMG 1997- SOLD
MK4 1.6 SE - 1998
MK1 Rivage - 1991 Blue SOLD

Offline hairyarse

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 136
Re: dim interior light kills battery
« Reply #1 on: 25 January 2005, 13:44 »
I guess the earth is just through the housing of the light assy? But I'm no expert when it comes to elec!

Another thing, does the Rivage have a boot light? I've known of boot lights sticking on in cars and draining the battery!

Offline JMallows

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,281
Re: dim interior light kills battery
« Reply #2 on: 25 January 2005, 16:16 »
Have you checked the earth on the door switches themselves? On the MK2 when you open the door, the switch pops out, which makes contact with the car body, thus earthing it. I guess it would be the same on a MK1? ANyway, it might be sticking a little bit and not quit breaking again when you shut the door.

Have a look at the switch, and it will make more sense then my explanation!! :grin:


A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.

Offline rubjonny

  • 10k hero
  • *
  • Posts: 16,349
  • Hello, my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
Re: dim interior light kills battery
« Reply #3 on: 28 January 2005, 10:54 »
If unsure about the buttons, just take them off and unplug the wires to see if the light still stays on  :smiley:
Failing that take the light out and have a close look at it, on the MK3 condensation from the roof could drip onto the circuit board causing a short circuit!
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.