Stereo, lights etc working WITHOUT key in ignition

TaurusAl · 24th September 2012, 11:47

I have come across a weird electrical problem in my Ritz VDI. Last evening, after I parked my car and I removed the key from the ignition, I was shocked to see my music player was still on. It is a factory fitted unit (one which comes fitted in ZXi), and was fitted at the time of the delivery of the car. Noticing this, I tried turning the headlights on and was noticed even the headlights were lighting up without the key in the ignition. (Earlier only the parking lights would light-up without the key).

Wanted to know if anyone has been in similar situation and what may have caused it. My car is 2 years old and done about 12K Kms.

swarnava.m · 24th September 2012, 12:05

Most probably a short in the ignition control area, which is providing power to the electricals (stereo, headlamps) even when the position of the key in off position is supposed to cut out battery supply to most things.
Have it checked by MASS, does not sound too complicated, and should be solved without much issues.

PS. Until this issue is rectified, make sure to keep EVERYTHING off, i.e. headlights, cabin lights, music player, anything attached to the 12V power outlet.. EVERYTHING!! You don't want to end up with a drained battery.

trave11er · 25th September 2012, 13:45

Hey I thought this (headlights can be switched on without keys) is the default "feature" of the Maruti cars. Same is the case with my Zen. But I feel this is useful in the situations where you need the light and still have to lock the car for safety.

The music system of my Fiesta can also be switched on without the ignition key, but this too is useful as the music can still be played by the passengers when I am not in the car and have to take the key with me.

Fiest@DuraTec · 25th September 2012, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by trave11er

The music system of my Fiesta can also be switched on without the ignition key, but this too is useful as the music can still be played by the passengers when I am not in the car and have to take the key with me.

No Way !! It doesn't, please have your car checked with the service centre or try out methods mentioned above. Its not a feature, rather it poses a problem where you might end up draining your battery and making its life very short.

Edit: Wanted to check, just realised after posting, is your fiesta the New Gen Fiesta or Classic as now it is told ?

trave11er · 25th September 2012, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiest@DuraTec

No Way !! It doesn't, please have your car check with the service centre or try out methods mentioned above. Its not a feature, rather it poses a problem where you might end up draining your battery and making its life very short.

Edit: Wanted to check, just realised after posting, is your fiesta the New Gen Fiesta or Classic as now it is told ?

Ohh is it? I never thought this can be a problem. But I think this is the case with all the Fiestas I have seen.The music system does not remain ON automatically, but I can switch it on after removing the key. This might be the reason that the battery is not drained.

I have the 2010 model of Fiesta (now Classic).

Maxwell Arthur · 25th September 2012, 19:39

HI trave11er

It does happen in my Figo as well. The player can be turned on for an hour. Then it turns itself off. The SA told me that this is a feature and there is nothing to worry about. I even saw a Tata Indica Vista where the player could be turned on without the ignition being on.

trave11er · 26th September 2012, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxwell Arthur

HI trave11er

It does happen in my Figo as well. The player can be turned on for an hour. Then it turns itself off. The SA told me that this is a feature and there is nothing to worry about.

Hey nice observation. I never tried to keep it on for 1 hour without the key.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayson

There is a slight difference here. In your case, the ICE can be switch on after the key is removed, but if it was on while the key was engaged, it will turn off when the key is removed. It has to be restarted afterwards, and will run in the limited time mode. In the OP's case the ICE remains on even as the key is removed which is a defect.

Yes you are correct. The music system is switched off when I remove the key and it restarts automatically (if left ON while removing the key) when the key is inserted. Otherwise I have to explicitly switch it ON.

Tejas Ingle · 26th September 2012, 20:13

It might be a short Relay. Locate which is the relay responsible for ignition in the fuse-box and try replacing it.

Technocrat · 29th September 2012, 00:19

Note from Support Team - All the Discussion related to WD40 has been moved to a new thread

WD-40 / Zorrik : Uses, Restrictions, Limitations & Pitfalls

TaurusAl · 5th October 2012, 10:46

I tried inserting and turning the key vigorously and it is working fine now. I think some elements were stuck inside due to the monsoon humidity.

24th September 2012, 11:47	#1
TaurusAl BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mumbai - MH 01 Posts: 615 Thanked: 551 Times	Stereo, lights etc working WITHOUT key in ignition I have come across a weird electrical problem in my Ritz VDI. Last evening, after I parked my car and I removed the key from the ignition, I was shocked to see my music player was still on. It is a factory fitted unit (one which comes fitted in ZXi), and was fitted at the time of the delivery of the car. Noticing this, I tried turning the headlights on and was noticed even the headlights were lighting up without the key in the ignition. (Earlier only the parking lights would light-up without the key). Wanted to know if anyone has been in similar situation and what may have caused it. My car is 2 years old and done about 12K Kms.
	() Thanks

24th September 2012, 12:05	#2
swarnava.m BHPian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mumbai/Margao Posts: 634 Thanked: 284 Times	re: Stereo, lights etc working WITHOUT key in ignition Most probably a short in the ignition control area, which is providing power to the electricals (stereo, headlamps) even when the position of the key in off position is supposed to cut out battery supply to most things. Have it checked by MASS, does not sound too complicated, and should be solved without much issues. PS. Until this issue is rectified, make sure to keep EVERYTHING off, i.e. headlights, cabin lights, music player, anything attached to the 12V power outlet.. EVERYTHING!! You don't want to end up with a drained battery.
	() Thanks

25th September 2012, 13:45	#3
trave11er BHPian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pune Posts: 79 Thanked: 57 Times	Re: Stereo, lights etc working WITHOUT key in ignition Hey I thought this (headlights can be switched on without keys) is the default "feature" of the Maruti cars. Same is the case with my Zen. But I feel this is useful in the situations where you need the light and still have to lock the car for safety. The music system of my Fiesta can also be switched on without the ignition key, but this too is useful as the music can still be played by the passengers when I am not in the car and have to take the key with me.
	() Thanks

25th September 2012, 19:39	#6
Maxwell Arthur BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 103 Thanked: 46 Times	Re: Stereo, lights etc working WITHOUT key in ignition HI trave11er It does happen in my Figo as well. The player can be turned on for an hour. Then it turns itself off. The SA told me that this is a feature and there is nothing to worry about. I even saw a Tata Indica Vista where the player could be turned on without the ignition being on.
	() Thanks

26th September 2012, 20:13	#8
Tejas Ingle BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 275 Thanked: 380 Times View My Garage	Re: Stereo, lights etc working WITHOUT key in ignition It might be a short Relay. Locate which is the relay responsible for ignition in the fuse-box and try replacing it.
	() Thanks

29th September 2012, 00:19	#9
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,770 Thanked: 2,705 Times	Re: Stereo, lights etc working WITHOUT key in ignition Note from Support Team - All the Discussion related to WD40 has been moved to a new thread WD-40 / Zorrik : Uses, Restrictions, Limitations & Pitfalls
	(1) Thanks

5th October 2012, 10:46	#10
TaurusAl BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mumbai - MH 01 Posts: 615 Thanked: 551 Times	Re: Stereo, lights etc working WITHOUT key in ignition I tried inserting and turning the key vigorously and it is working fine now. I think some elements were stuck inside due to the monsoon humidity.
	() Thanks