Hey, I have a ’96 850R that has some sort of electrical issue and am hoping someone might have some ideas. The issue occurs when I turn on my headlights, everything works fine but when I shut them off and turn off the car, some components retain their power. From what I have noticed, the radio, blower motor and light behind the clock are 3 of these things, and they still work with the key out of the ignition.

I have another 850R so I swapped the headlight switch first because it was only happening when I used the headlights, no luck. Then the ignition switch and no luck. Finally I read about the overload relays and not being sure which were which I moved them around first, then tried 2 other sets from the other 850 and a junk yard car.

I found that pulling one of the relays and putting it back shuts everything off but this is not ideal of course, especially now that it is happening almost every time I use my lights. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

The relay that you pull to get everything to shut down, have you tried replacing that one with something else??

 

Yes, 6 different relays actually, 3 from a working car and 3 more from a junk yard. Not sure why I replaced it 6 times after the first 1 or 2 didn't fix the issue, it just seems like the relay should be causing the problem or something related to it.

 

I would have guessed the ignition switch but since you tried that already then afraid you're gonna need to get a wiring diagram and DMM out there and just troubleshoot it..

 

The wiring diagram in a Haynes manual shows that this relay, along with many other items though, ground at '31/50 Ground point, central electrical unit (power ground)'. What does it mean by power ground? Thanks

 

My car was just doing something similar too, it turned out to be my dimmer switch (rheostat). Mine started by the instrument panel lights staying on when you turned the headlights or ignition off, then eventually they wouldn't turn on when I turned the headlights until they had been on for 5 minutes, then it was just luck if they worked at all.

 

Try to unplug the dimmer switch and see what happens. You will have to pull the fog switch under it first, then the dimmer. Takes 2 hands to get the dimmer out unless you use some kind of tool to reach behind it. I use one hand to push it to one side and the other under it pulling it out.