Lights on ALL the time (even with key out!)

[Skip]

O' mighty 'org - please can you offer any suggestions to this problem!

My mate has a 1999 Triumph Sprint ST and a couple of weeks ago he returned to it after work and found the lights were on dip. Went to the ignition wondering if he had left the key in it and it wasnt there - it was in his pocket! Ever since then he has had to disconnect the battery everytime he stops anywhere otherwise the lights stay on blazing away which is slowly driving him mad! When the bike is started main beam works etc but you just cant turn the lights off!

Any ideas?!

Maybe there is a short causing the parking light to come on?

[Skip]

Nope its dip beam thats on not just the parking light

[Luckypants]

The lights are probably activated by a relay on the ignition circuit. The relay might have seized closed, therefore lights remain on all the time. Find relay, replace.

HTH

Yep, pull the relays out 1 at a time and see if they go out.

It's wrecked, tell him I'll give him 30 quid to tow it away

I'll give him 35

Set of relays down the RH side looking from sitting on the bike,inside the fairing just by the forks control lights, indicators and beams.Try swopping them about. Often come a little loose and stick on one mode aswell. Could also be the light switch sticking[WD40]
If the headlights change from main to dipped without any problem more than likely to be the switch
I had a problem with mine not operating the indicators properly and I traced the fault back to a worn ignition barrel and shorting out inside the barrel itself

[Skip]

Thanks guys I will pass the info on

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

The lights are probably activated by a relay on the ignition circuit. The relay might have seized closed, therefore lights remain on all the time. Find relay, replace.

HTH

+ another one. First thing I'd look at, it's not a common problem, but I've seen a couple of Triumphs with same thing.