Driving my car to work yesterday my service engine light came on, as well as my brake light and left blinker (constant, not flashing). Well I get off this morning and starts fine, i let it warm up and all the lights that came on yesterday are off... Well I start driving back home and all of them came back on and my head lights got dim. Stayed like that all the way home. Well I get home turn the key in off position and car keeps running. Take the key out still running. All my gauges went down like the car was off but lights stayed on as well as the car running... I had to put it in a high gear and pop the clutch to kill it...... Where should I look first?

 

Something is shorting out in the steering column or ignition switch.

 

I second that.

 

 

From your location, did your car get flooded? Water in the electrical system means FUBAR in the long run...

 

Rusted, moisture etc something is causing ground, shorting out issue. Did you spill a drink, bc we know what module is under middle console and lots of wires. Or is your passenger floorboard/carpet wet? Maybe heater core pooped on you and making some exposed wires dancing? You could in pitch black garage let it run and look for a light show under your dash when i happens next time...

 

Maybe check the ground on the back of the driverside head?

 

I was fortunate and did not get any flood damage. The car is just a weekend car and sits in the garage mostly... I was thinking about checking all the grounds actually just haven't had a chance yet.

 

took this video today

 

yall still think its the column after the video?

 

Between that and the light switch. And, as said, check ALL your grounds.

 

ive checked all the ones under the hood. everything is tight so far. this week when i get a day off ill start digging in more checking the wires under the dash.

 

What do you have a British car?? I'm sorry guy, but I started laughing when I saw the car running after shut off. You hand the key in your hand! Lol.

Pull the steering wheel and check the switch. Underhood grounds are not the place to start. The engine electric, interior lights and headlight light electric circuits all pass through the switch. Start there.

 

Maybe check your alternator?

 

Rednair Thank you. I've been looking for ignition switch diagrams online and really haven't had much success to see if all of it ties in

 

Be sure and disable the air bags before you start tinkering with the steering wheel. Be sure you check the dimmer switch while you are in there, it is a pretty busy little switch. Good Luck!

 

These electrical type problems often arise from a previous repair/modification of some sort, confirm previous modifications/repairs are not at fault - things do tend to shift and move over time.

 

Ok thank you. I know the previous owner changed the steering wheel from a regular wheel to the one with radio controls.

 

Well I'm not sure if I fixed it or not. I checked the continuity on the light switch, the one that was in the car one pin had continuity with another pin. Checked a light switch I had laying around from my last Camaro and the same pins had very little continuity. Swapped out the switches and everything worked like it was supposed to. Drove around for about a hour and it did fine.... Hope that was it

 

Your video was a good resource for this issue. Clearly the car was stealing power from the headlamp circuit to stay running.
But its hard to understand why the signal and emergency brake warning lights were on as well.