Subaru wiring wierdness

This isn't making any sense.

My daughter drives 97 Impreza. The left side parking lights don't work on either the front or the rear. The strange part is that the right side parking lights won't turn off. It's all one circuit (all 4 lights work off 1 fuse).

Thoughts?

Is it tied into the turn signal circuit? I can't remember if the parking lights are on the Subie, but I know I experienced a bit of weirdness on a couple of Imprezas getting race prepped. The turn signal circuit passes through the hazard switch, so if the hazard switch is removed then the turn signals don't work. On one car we just jumpered a couple of pins to get rid of the hazard switch (maintained the turn signals). On the other car the hazard switch went back in.

So, it might be worth inspecting the hazard switch. I don't think that's it, but I mention it since I know the circuit is tied in and might cause some weirdness if the switch failed.

When you say the right side won't turn off, you mean EVER (as in any time the battery is connected) or do you mean with the key on? The other thing to check is the park lamp switch on top of the steering column, that's also linked to the parking lamps. If you flip that switch the park lights will be on all the time, even with the key off and removed, as long as the battery is hooked up. That might be a likely culprit.

Of course, you should mention if you've checked the grounds, bulbs, and fuse(s)...simple stuff first.

Bryce

Turn signals are a different circuit.

I mean the right side won't EVER turn off. I pulled the fuse to avoid killing the battery (which means there are now no tail lights).

Grounds, bulbs, and fuses... I've checked, fuses, not bulbs and grounds yet. But that doesn't really help explain the RH lights always on.

I'm thinking the parking light switch is shot (in the on position), AND part of the circuit is dead at the same time.

SVreX wrote: Grounds, bulbs, and fuses... I've checked, fuses, not bulbs and grounds yet. But that doesn't really help explain the RH lights always on.

I was thinking it's possible that the park light switch is on and the two left bulbs are burned out, only reason I mentioned to check the bulbs. Either way, sure sounds like the park light switch (or circuit to/from it) has something messed up.

Bryce

Isn't there a switch on top of the steering column that keeps the parking lights on all the time on these? Wouldn't explain why one side is off, though.

This slipped off my radar- daughter was out of the country.

So, Nashco was close. There were some bulbs out that were confusing the issue, but I'm still a little stuck.

It's the parking lights. They are always on.

I'm thinking switch, but it's integrated in the turn signal/ steering column. So, I'm wondering if there could also be a relay or something in line.

Thoughts?

Check the switch on top of the steering column idea. There is a switch to turn on parking lights there on many Subies.

The only switch on top of the steering column on this car is the emergency flashers.

SVreX wrote: The only switch on top of the steering column on this car is the emergency flashers.

Seriously? Because on my 97 (and 98 and 99) the switch is for the parking lights. The hazards button is above the hvac controls next to the rear defrost

Is there a switch like this somewhere else?

that's the sw that almost did me in...... took forever to figure it out

wbjones wrote: that's the sw that almost did me in...... took forever to figure it out

Took me quite a bit as well.

I've been trying to help my daughter diagnose this car over the phone. Turns out you guys were right, there is a parking light switch on top of the column. She mistook it for a hazard light switch.

I wonder if her smarts come from me or her mother...

Thanks for the help.

SVreX wrote: I've been trying to help my daughter diagnose this car over the phone. Turns out you guys were right, there is a parking light switch on top of the column. She mistook it for a hazard light switch. I wonder if her smarts come from me or her mother... Thanks for the help.

We all know about that switch because we all chased the same gremlin. Mine got triggered when I cleaned the gauge cluster face. Apparently the guys at Subaru are practical jokers.

Yay! I'm going to eat a cookie to celebrate.

Bryce

so, what was the purpose of having a parking light switch on the column? is there not a stop for them on the headlight switch, and is it required to have them in US cars?

It turns on just the exterior "park" lights (four 5W bulbs), no interior, license plate, side markers, etc. I think it's supposed to be a visibility thing if you've parked the car somewhere it shouldn't be (where it's hard to see?) and need to lock it up and leave it for a few minutes...it saves the battery compared to the "running" light setting (more like 50W total). I've seen European cars with the same feature, different style of switch. Some only light one side of the car instead of all four corners.

Bryce

Nashco wrote: Yay! I'm going to eat a cookie to celebrate. Bryce

Your cookie is well deserved after 5 months. Go ahead! You earned it!!

Yup. That little bastard is tricky.

I wish I'd seen this the first time around. That switch has caused many an angry Subie owner to snatch fuses to no avail.

Just think though, it makes for a great laugh at family get-togethers later.

Bryce

The switch is there because the parking lights can't be on with the key out of the ignition as is required by law in some places since Subarus have the lights tied in with ignition on. Other "standard" cars you can turn the park lights (and headlights) on without the key in the ignition.