inner lights only work when ignition key its turned on

[Zach315]

i think i might have a wiring problem. I was hoping somebody could possibly help me out. My inside dome lights and door lights etc only come on when the key is turned to acc. Everytime my cd is playing and i turn the car off, then back on it resets as well. I was thinking that maybe this was the case on why my ecu isnt making the readiness monitors set. Because when i turn the car off its like the ecu is being reset.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Have you checked your fuses, before posting this question?

 

[Zach315]

Yes i have. They are good.

 

[Spoolin92GSX]

I had a similar issue on my 1G not too long ago, there's more than likely a 12v constant wire that's grounding out somewhere. My turbo timer also wouldn't work. I would start in the dash behind the stereo and look for bad insulation/shorts.

 

[Zach315]

yea! i just installed my turbo timer yesterday..and when it is counting down, if i turn the key all the way off the car shuts off along with the timer.. :/ thanks for the help! im going to look right now!

btw, would that also be the cause from my voltmeter dropping? ive noticed sometimes when i am driving the car, the volt meter will read really low, and the warning light on it will show..then my devices powered to my cigarette lighter wont work..randomly the volts will get stronger again.

 

[boost97gst]

Most of the time with dsms especially, previous owners have done, well ahem, shitty wiring in them and ghetto rigged stereos/car alarms/turbo timers() and anything else. I suggest breaking out the schematics or more accurately, wiring diagrams, and going through everything under the steering column. I had a rats nest of wires in mine and things were very flaky. Some saturdays, soldering iron, and heat shrink and all was well after that.
I think your constant 12v is disconnected or just missing and youre tapped off your ign on 12v line. Pretty simple fix after you weed out all the wiring. Hope its not as bad a mess as mine was!


Just missed your last post , ya obviously if something changed, go to the last thing you did. Troubleshooting 101

 

[Spoolin92GSX]

yea! i just installed my turbo timer yesterday..and when it is counting down, if i turn the key all the way off the car shuts off along with the timer.. :/ thanks for the help! im going to look right now!

btw, would that also be the cause from my voltmeter dropping? ive noticed sometimes when i am driving the car, the volt meter will read really low, and the warning light on it will show..then my devices powered to my cigarette lighter wont work..randomly the volts will get stronger again.

The voltage drop sounds more like a dying alternator. Did this issue start after the TT install? The 12v constant wire could be pinched between a trim piece and bracket depending on where you mounted it.

 

[Zach315]

Boost: you are correct. The guy I previously bought from has this thing rigged to the max! And it definitely seems like the whole car is ran through ignition.

Spoolin: I have tested the alt and batt and both seem to be fine. Maybe the wiring? Idk :/

I just recently found something awkward though. I unplugged the harness the plugs into the aftermarket harness for the stereo and all the dash lights when out (with acc turned on of course) when I plugged it back in the lights went back on.

 

[boost97gst]

Is he powering the interior lights somehow through the stereo?? haha, ive seen weirder shit for sure. I bet the dimmer line is hooked up on the stereo, which isnt typically done in aftermarket setups, it can cause headaches. IIRC, the dimmer will be orange in the stereo harness. Dont quote me but it is a POSSIBLITY, without seeing it first hand.

 

[Zach315]

Lol this is a mess!
The dimmer wires are not hooked up.
I just don't understand how the lights would go off when I disconnect the aftermarket harness from the car.

 

[boost97gst]

For sure, very weird. Good luck bud, grab your book and a couple good drop lights and get to work!

 

[Zach315]

Will do! Thank you guys for your input!