247awd

Hey folks,

I turned off my headlights today, and the running lights stayed on. What's up?

It's the front running lights, and the rear runnning lights in the brake lights.

I was able to pull the interior fuse on the top row, second from the right, I think, to get them off so my battery isn't run down in the morning.

Any ideas?

It's a '99 Forester.

Blue Fox

^^ The switch on top of your steering column is turned on. That's your parking light switch. Did the same thing when I first bought it.

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2004 XT - RIP
2005 XT - 5MT - JOURNAL

JamesBond

Yep, I hope the pic helps. Don't know why Subaru did this. But it's gone on my 09' Forester.

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Blue Fox

^^ I believe the reasoning behind it is so you can actually have parking lights without having to keep the key in the ignition. Since the headlamp switch gets cut off when you take the key out, there is no other way to keep the parking lamps on other than that switch.

My only peeve with the design is that there is no audible noise to alert you when you accidentally hit the switch (like a door ding when you open the door when it's on).

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2004 XT - RIP
2005 XT - 5MT - JOURNAL

247awd

Thread Starter

Thanks, folks! Major good Karma to you all!

Yes, before I walked into a store, I had just wiped down the entire dash and steering column. When I walked out of the store, they were on. So YES, that would explain it. I'll flip the switch, and see what happens.

Happy trails!

Subaru Forester owner/techs RULE!

2.5x_sleeper

you got off easy! When I had the run in with that switch, it was the next day before I new it had been tunned on & the battery was dead!:(

I have to say, it brings a smile to my face every time there's a post on that switch...:)

Bobby...

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'07 FSXT - COBB Surgeline dyno Protune - Stage 1+
'03 X +AVO turbo kit = XT (son's)
'95 Neon Sport

joe r

You have been officially granted being a SUBARU Owner!!!Welcome to the club & the Subaru Battery kill switch...lol


joe r

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04 FXT manual Platinum Silver "Sti swapped"= Mine.
04 FXT auto Sierra Gold = Hers.

gutted

Oh man, I did the same thing the first night I had my car! I was perplexed. At first I thought they'd go off automatically... nope! I had to bust out the owner's manual. I was playing with that switch on the drive home, and couldn't figure out what it did!

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*'04 Forester XS (Silver, Winter Package)

satalac

i think subaru put that there simply to initiate the owners into the joys of owning their cars. i mean you have a car that can do almost anything, they had to have something to perplex the owners.

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Java Black Pearl 04XT 5sp Stg. 1

JamesBond

The salesman should of told you what that switch was for.

andyyy

alright i did the switch thing now my running lights are flashing and there is a ticking noise

pleiad7

i have clock/ light problems

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-Silke
04 FXT PP PSM ~ "Subed"
98 Forester S ~ "Slynki"