Door jamb interior courtesy light switchs
 

Got in my XJ yesterday afternoon to start it up after re-tensioning the serpentine belt. Battery was dead and would not start. Surprised me since having just replaced the alternator and the XJ seemed to be charging fine, even the night before. So I charged the battery for a few minutes then started it up. It ran fine and appeared from the voltmeter to be getting a good charge. I closed the door after shutting the engine down and after a few minutes noticed the interior lights were still on. I checked the door jamb switches on both front doors and when I depressed each one the lights stayed on. so I am suspecting the one or both switches are bad or there is an electrical issue farther up the line. Anyone else have a similar issue in the past?

Did you try the switch on the headlight knob?

No, but that doesn't have anything to do with the courtesy lights. I removed the lamps last night shortly after discovering they would not go out when the door was closed. The battery had a bit of a charge on it last night. This evening I went out to see if it would start but the battery was dead again. I wonder if there is an electrical issue else where. Still, the lights should go out regardless when the doors close. I have my headliner out at the moment for recovering so all my overhead lights are not installed. Anyone have any thoughts beside the switches that might be the issue?

Try it.

actually yes the headlight switch is more then likely your issue. Rotate it.

Clockwise, 1/8 turn should do it. It may produce amazing results.

Ok, I feel like a dips%*t. That was the issue. Probably inadvertently turned it when I wasn't paying attention. Thanks.

:D

Okay, you can join the "I done stupid!" club with the rest of us now. :cheers:

What if that wasn't the problem? Or any of the door switches(I replaced all 4 for sake of mind)? I'm going nuts with the same problem.

Well, in my defense, I had just come from a wake for a very good long time friend. It was around 9pm when I got home. I must have turned the head light knob when I shut the lights off. I'm thinking now I may have also damaged the battery and will have to replace that as well after the alternator.

Ouch.

how many times do people need a jump because of a dead batt, THOUSANDS.
drive a while.if alt is good batt will prob come back.

I DO THAT at night to check or find something b4 i get out. i only notice it because its dark and i see lights on. i hate dead batts.!

I drove it around yesterday for about 10 minutes and then parked it. Seemed ok but later in the day it wouldn't start. The battery is six years old so I guess I can't complain. I will take it somewhere to see if it is bad. If it is I'll get a new one.

Sometimes with an old battery a good draining will finish it off.