Thread: Ignition courtesy light always on

It's supposed to do this. It's never run the battery flat, and I've had some sick batteries in there over the last 12 years.

There is a light that is supposed to stay on all the time?
I would not think so man. That is what i would call a parasite actually and something that would infact drain a battery over a long enough time.
I have hacked the death out of my wiring so cant tell now however i recall there was a light that would stay on for about 30 seconds before dimming out however thats the interior light.

My D1 does not have a light around the ignition barrel which i assume is what your referring to?

Mine's stock and it's been lit since I bought it 12 years ago. Lots of things draw a small load when ign off. A bigger load than a tiny light. Central locking, radio recall, alarm system...

Self discharge is probably more than a 100mA load.

Originally Posted by damienb

Mine's stock and it's been lit since I bought it 12 years ago. Lots of things draw a small load when ign off. A bigger load than a tiny light. Central locking, radio recall, alarm system...

Self discharge is probably more than a 100mA load.

Interesting learn something new every day!

So if i was to go into a carpark at night then i would see a little light on in all the D1s?
Where is this light if i can ask? Around the ignition barrel or elsewhere?

Should be around the barrel - can't see it during the day though, or from any distance.

Just checked. Self discharge (in a healthy battery) is 20mA-40mA.

A 100 mA load will flatten a battery in about 3 months, so hopefully the total is less than that.

I just checked mine again, but the ign courtesy light turns on and off with the interior lights.
Mine's a 98 build tho, so could be wired differently.
But the timing of that light is linked to the timer on the interior lighting.

The light shows as a dull red ring just under the key entry point. Thanks everyone again for posting answers, but I should have looked more closely as the light does go off after about 10 seconds when there is no key in the ignition, but only after the door is closed. Sorry about the wild goose chase people. Cheers, Mickl

Originally Posted by Mickl

... but I should have looked more closely as the light does go off after about 10 seconds when there is no key in the ignition, but only after the door is closed. Sorry about the wild goose chase people. Cheers, Mickl

Yep! something like that.
The globe itself is just a std T5 type, as you get in your instrument cluster warning lights and dash lights. Sits in it's little housing, removable without the need to remove the lock barrel.. etc.