Electrics issue

[Ocker]

Hi, I'd like a little help please, troubleshooting an electrical problem.

1.Whenever the ignition is on the running lights are on without being selected.
2. If the headlights are on and the brake pedal pressed when coming to stop, selecting the ignition off does not stop the engine.
3. Pressing the brake pedal at any time will bring on lights in the dash and the running lights.
4. Cruise control suddenly failed and will not engage.

Something is live somewhere, but what and how do I get to it? I couldn't identify any blown fuses.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[tommy]

Have seen similar problems due to wrong rear brake/running lamps.

Myself could not turn off my car one time when I had the whole rear lamp assembly dismounted.

[Ocker]

Have seen similar problems due to wrong rear brake/running lamps.

Myself could not turn off my car one time when I had the whole rear lamp assembly dismounted.

Thanks for the response. It turns out it was exactly that! An incorrect rear brake lamp bulb which was providing a live path through the electrics. Good to know in the future.

[tommy]

Glad it worked out, hope it didn't took forever to find

[GeoffR]

Thanks for the response. It turns out it was exactly that! An incorrect rear brake lamp bulb which was providing a live path through the electrics. Good to know in the future.

May I explain why this is possible, Saab brake lights are powered directly from the battery so, if you press the brakes with the pins in the tail/stop lamp shorted you are connecting the running lights directly to the battery, bypassing the ignition switch.