Interior Lights Remain On

[Crashcup]

Hi:

Lately I've noticed that the 6-month old battery on my 2003 Boxster S can't hold a charge beyond a week or so. So upon closer inspection I noticed that the light emitting diodes on the back of the rear-view mirror and in the door handle assemblies as well as the hood release levers on the driver's-side running board are not turning off on their own. They remain on whether the car locked or not.

I'd appreciate any suggesions for remedying this problem.

Thanks,

Bill

Edited January 24, 2009 by Crashcup

[Loren]

Have your battery tested - both specific gravity of each cell as well as under load.

This would not be the first battery to die in less than one year - that's why they have a warranty.

[Crashcup]

Have your battery tested - both specific gravity of each cell as well as under load.

This would not be the first battery to die in less than one year - that's why they have a warranty.

Thanks Loren. Sorry, but would a low battery cause the "Incident Lights" or light emitting diodes to remain lit? The windows still dip when open the car and the car still manages to turn over, eventually. Could all that happen withh a failing battery?

[Loren]

Have your battery tested - both specific gravity of each cell as well as under load.

This would not be the first battery to die in less than one year - that's why they have a warranty.

Thanks Loren. Sorry, but would a low battery cause the "Incident Lights" or light emitting diodes to remain lit? The windows still dip when open the car and the car still manages to turn over, eventually. Could all that happen withh a failing battery?

A low battery will cause all sorts of strange electrical problems.

[Glyn]

The current draw of the orientation lights could not flatten the battery on their own in 6 months, however they do stay on for hours after use of the car, never quite pinned mine down to a time but it is certainly around 2 to 3 hours after getting out of the car.

Get a DC clamp meter check to confirm the draw from the battery- this should not exceed 40 milliamps, if its greater than this then start pulling fuses to determine which circuit is drawing current, If its below 40 then the problem is your battery