Electrical problem that keeps my car on without the key

[zachattack_5491]

Lately I've been having serious problems with my car staying on after I take the key out. When I had my KA, it was just an irritating issue. But with my SR, it effects how it runs.

So here's what happens. Before today, I would turn off my car and pull the key out but everything stays on except the engine. All my dash lights, fuel pump etc will not turn off unless I start it and turn it off again. This happened about once every 2 months, so it wasn't a big deal.

After I got my SR in, I've been noticing that it only does it when it's hot outside and/or the engine is hot. It's about 85 degrees here. I was driving on the highway for about 5 miles, and it started hesitating like it wasn't getting fuel. Pulled over, let it idle for a second and it died. So I figured I killed another fuel pump (I've been through 3.) Pulled the key out, and nothing turned off even though I turned off my turbo timer. Sat for about 15 mins to let everything cool off, and it ran fine for another 5 miles. Started bucking when I left an intersection, turned it off and the car stayed on.

It can't be anything with the engine harness because it did this before when I had the KA. All of my grounds on the chassis harness are sanded down and grounded excellently. Could this be a relay that's sticking? Why is it only doing it when it's hot? Any input would be appreciated.

Edit: There's a short somewhere under the dash. When I pull the fuse for my dome light the car turns off. Weird... I hate electrical problems.

[Infinitiguy19]

Check the ignition switch.

I have feel sorry for you electrical problem, I know first hand whats its like.

[comatoseculture]

Indeed x2 for the ignition switch. Your spark or fuel IS cutting. why tho? Maybe turbo timer wiring issues? or some other wiring issue. Heat effects things mainly by expansion, so something is expanding and grounding/connection where it shouldn't. First guess is at the switch, but also curious, how's your fuel sending unit look? Youve gone through 3 pumps? not normal. These senders on the s13 like to crack and open/short over time. Best of luck sir.

[zachattack_5491]

It was effecting the fuel pump. I could hear it turning off and on randomly. My fuel pump was hardwired to the fusebox, so some voodoo magic was going on

The sending unit was pretty messed up last time I pulled it out. The wire covers were brittle and basically the whole wire was exposed. I'm not a fan of having bare wires INSIDE my gas tank. So I soldered new ones on there.

I got completely fed up with all the electrical situation, so I decided to pull the harnesses and go over all the circuits. While they're out, I'm putting all the fuse boxes and relays under the dash and soldering all of the butt connectors that the previous owner had on there. I've but about 12 hours into fitting and soldering the harnesses so I hope it pays off.

[comatoseculture]

Ok well, good luck. Let us know what happens with the new endeavor

[ScuffedUp240]

I know this is an old thread, but just incase anyone else is having problems similar to this one, i had a almost identical issue with my SR when i first installed it, it would turn on and work just fine, but when you shut the car off, the engine would stay running, after pounding my head against the wall, i took my ECU out, opened it up.. and WALLAH! had a fried capacitor, ordered a new ECU and good as new... well as far as that issue anyway lol.. hope this helps someone