Ignition switch

[Voices]

Just replaced ignition cylinder, mechanisim housing and electrical ignition switch. The key would just spin when I turn the key off and radio and odometer lights would remain on. With the new installation the key works correctly now but i still cannot turn the damn odometer lights off and the radio remains on.
Anyone got any idea's? I am about to install a switch to shut these things off. I like to fix it correctly. Its killing my battery.......
I'll give it more time.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLE BE KEEPING MY ODOMETER LIGHT ON?
1995 318TI

[Voices]

My mechanic is now looking at my alarm system as the possible cause; Or maybe a defective ignition switch. I am not sure if BMW will exchange electrical parts.

[Voices]

I am just going to carry around an allen key to disconnect the battery where every i go, for the time being. This sucks but i am out of money and just spent $500 to fix this. BMW probably wants another $500.

[hotmilk400]

is the alarm an after market alarm? i know the first alarm i installed in my mustang had a bad relay in it, and it would send power to my radio and things. i removed and replaced the relay and it was fine. if its the stock alarm, it probably isnt the alarm but probably a bad relay that would deal with the ignition and the "on" spot on th e ignition. it probably isn't really turning on, but staying "on" as if the key was still in and turned one click. it could also be the ignition switch, and you could probably test it with a multimeter. (i never attemped to get to it on my BMW, but it was easy to get to on my mustand.

[Voices]

Yeah....it is an aftermarket alarm......my mechanic is looking into this as the cause. We'll keep at it. The ignition switch is new but it could be defective. Thanks for your input.

[Mallard]

when you replaced the ignition contact. you didnt turn it to the correct position. now when you pull the key out the ignition contact is still on pos 1

remove the ignition contact and use a screwdriver to turn the switch to the right positon

[Voices]

ok...I think you mean the ignition switch wasn't installed correctly? I ran this by my mechanic and he says the spines only line up one way. How do i explain that this is wrong? Thanks


My mechanic doesn't no what it is you are trying to say. please explain. What contacts.

[Isis07]

Mallard's explanation sounds more correct than this, but I figured I'd post it anyways. When I purchased my ti, the previous owner installed an aftermarket stereo and incorrectly wired the power to it. (ground was mismatched I think? I'm not good with car electronics obviously haha...)

This caused a short that left my odometer light permanently on, as well as my radio and windows functional while the key was out of the ignition. It also disabled the warning buzzer that goes off when you open the door with the lights on and key out of the ignition.

I did the samething you're doing with just disconnecting the ground. Dealership (Tischer) found the source of the problem and fixed it for 180ish in my case.

[Voices]

Okay.........still working on it ...thanks

[Voices]

Great..thanks all.....problem solved.....there was a short in he map light...unfortunately i left the driver side map light on and when left on it causes the odometer light to stay on and the radio. I guess I'll replace this interior light to fix problem for good or just leave it off. The whole thing is weird thou...........see ya

I do think everyone is going to have to replace your key cylinder and key housing mechanism once you get between 100,000-150,000mi just another flaw with this model.....cost about $500 to fix.....

[Mallard]

.. bizare..

glad u got it fixed

[Voices]

Maybe more then one short..........i notice the windows will operate even when the key is out of the ignition...this stuff is weird.........the good news is nothing is draining the battery anymore with the key out..............I wonder how they find and fix these shorts.

[tiFreak]

do the windows work after you shut the car off? that's normal but they should shut off right when you open the door

[Mallard]

are u sure

i have sat out in the driveway with the door open trying to fix my el. windows without the ignition on.

also the roof works after the door has been opened

or do u meas "as" you open the door? like in mid-function?

[tiFreak]

I'm pretty sure, mine stop working as soon as I open the door with the car off