Running lights / side markers and tail lights will not go out - must pull fuse

[cptwardog]

It happened incrementally.

Phase I: One day a few weeks ago when I parked my car lights both the dash and running lights remained on when I opened up the door and after lifting the outside door handle - but they would turn off after about 10 seconds. Mildly annoying, but at least I could drive the car. Additionally, lost overhead light and the key fob would unlock the doors, open the trunk, but would not open the doors

Phase II: about two weeks after dealing with phase I - NOW running lights (tail lights and side markers) remain on unless I pull the tail light fuse. still dealing with the overhead light not working and key fob will not opening the doors.

I took the car a '96 J30T to the local shop for diagnostics as now I have a safety issue. The mechanic felt the first problem was due to a short in the turn signal/light switch on my steering column. They wanted to replace it for $400. I took the car home, went by the pick and pull, bought two levers/switches and installed both separately which resulted in no change to existing problem. Thankfully I took the car home or I would have been out $400 instead of the $80 I spent on the diagnostic and used switches.

Any suggestions on a possible fix?

[Infinitiguy19]

You have me stumped because you guys (As far as I know) don't have a body (Interior) control module. Your electrical systems are all separated and not controled by a single computer.

I would do a basic check of all the bulbs.

Then go though the service manual and see if you can fix the problem yourself. (http://Nicoclub.com/FSM)

If the above try a 300ZX specialty shop or your local Infiniti dealer.

[GerryO]

It happened incrementally.

Phase I: One day a few weeks ago when I parked my car lights both the dash and running lights remained on when I opened up the door and after lifting the outside door handle - but they would turn off after about 10 seconds. Mildly annoying, but at least I could drive the car. Additionally, lost overhead light and the key fob would unlock the doors, open the trunk, but would not open the doors

Phase II: about two weeks after dealing with phase I - NOW running lights (tail lights and side markers) remain on unless I pull the tail light fuse. still dealing with the overhead light not working and key fob will not opening the doors.

I took the car a '96 J30T to the local shop for diagnostics as now I have a safety issue. The mechanic felt the first problem was due to a short in the turn signal/light switch on my steering column. They wanted to replace it for $400. I took the car home, went by the pick and pull, bought two levers/switches and installed both separately which resulted in no change to existing problem. Thankfully I took the car home or I would have been out $400 instead of the $80 I spent on the diagnostic and used switches.

Any suggestions on a possible fix?

Phase I:The dome light and the driver's side keyhole are supposed to light up and dim to dark after about 10 seconds, when you lift the driver's side door handle with the doors locked ('93). And of course the dome light is supposed to turn ON (along with a light around the ignition key hole) when the door is opened and dim to dark after about ten seconds, after the door is closed. Don't know if things changed on the later years, but it's difficult to imagine that they incorporated or swapped the dash and outside running lights into those convenience features.

Phase II:The ground contact behind the dome light can go bad or some paint in the area can prevent good ground to the body, causing the dome light not to work. It sounds like a combination of two problems; a bad dome light ground and two crossed/shorted connections involving the what should be totally separate marker/tail light and door handle activated light timer circuits.

Don't know if there are any relays in those circuits that could be sticking and if any wiring modifications have ever been made. Check the FSM wiring diagram?