If you have a backlit headlamp switch, that light should also be staying on with the halo light. It's rare, but the contacts in the time-delay relay can arc and stick together. First, try tapping on it with a light metal object like a screwdriver. The doors will have to be closed. This unit is a silver round relay, about 3/4" in diameter, similar to the old fluorescent light starters. If the lights go off, the contacts were sticking.
You can find a bunch of these in the salvage yards, and chances are you'll find a good one because they don't fail very often. Another clue is to crawl into the car and close all the doors, wait a few minutes, then feel the time-delay relay. If it's cold and the lights are still on, the contacts are stuck. If the relay is warm, it's being turned on by a door switch. The older metal pin-type switches have multiple contacts so it's possible the dome light will not be affected. The pin switches can slide in the tube nut and become out of adjustment too.
Caradiodoc
Monday, September 7th, 2009 AT 3:52 AM
