General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Interior lights go on/off when key is in ignition.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 18, 2013 | 01:23 AM
  #1  
ChrisSingh90's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Default Interior lights go on/off when key is in ignition.

As title states, when the key is in the ignition of my 02 trans am, the interior lights go on an off. Ignition doesn't even have to be on, just the key is the ignition cylinder and it does it. It's almost like the car is possessed, lol. Doesn't do it with the key outside the ignition.

Any idea what the problem is?

Chris,
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2013 | 03:48 AM
  #2  
_JB_'s Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 28
From: Tampa, FL
Default

Its by design, but likely the contacts on the key's chip are dirty. You might try cleaning them up and hopefully it clears the issue up.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2013 | 04:49 PM
  #3  
ChrisSingh90's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Default

OK cool I will try cleaning the contacts and see if that helps.

Chris,
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2013 | 10:26 PM
  #4  
thingthatgoes's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: new york
Default

On my DD Sunfire I was getting the same issue. Only I thought that it was a door contact because it would happen when I was driving. It turns out the key has just enough play to pull out of the cylinder far enough to trip the sensor that checks when the key is in the cylinder. But the key wouldn't fall out.

If there was a problem with the key's "chip" (which is just a resistor) you'd have a security light and/ or problems starting your car. No?
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2013 | 07:54 AM
  #5  
MasterV8's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 604
Likes: 4
From: UK
Default

I've had this same problem the past few years! Does the same with both sets of keys.
I queried it a while back and some one said it might be a door position sensor.
I just take the keys out now if I'm just sat in the car, otherwise it looks a bit weird to passers by with the lights flicking on and off and fading out.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2013 | 08:28 AM
  #6  
ragtopz28's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (57)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 11
From: Ft. Myers, FL
Default

My 02 does it too. Maybe its just a "take the key out dummy" signal. It does look like the car is possessed.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:05 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE