the missing key

[dc10]

hey all,
just wondering, i have a strange issue with my vr6 where sometimes when ive been driving at night, and then turn the car off and take out the key, if the lights are still on the car will keep running. it only happens when the lights are still on and as i take the key out the car makes a very subtle humming or buzzing noise, then as soon as i turn the lights off the car shuts off as well.
i cant remember exactly when it started happening, as its not really a major issue that affects the car negatively, and it doesnt happen every time either. i have noticed though that if you turn the ignition off slowly then it doesnt happen. well it hasnt whilst ive been trying out this theory anyways.

any ideas or help would be much appreciated
cheers
dave

[Mrk_Mickey]

You mean the engine is actually still running? or can you hear a buzzing noise?

Humming/buzzing noise would be the fans that stay on after you turn the car off, as this is a standard feature that just cools the engine down moreso than other cars. If your ENGINE is still on, then you've got some weird electrics/a very broken ignition barrell!

[dc10]

haha . no i know the fans come one, what i mean is like a very faint electrical buzz, kinda like the sound the power lines make just after its rained for the first time in while. and yes the i also mean the car stays running after i take the key out. as i said though, only happens when lights have been left on. and to make things more confusing, it doesnt happen every time

[bboyskidz]

haha i have a similar strange issue with mine. First of all, the parkers only come on when the main beams are on now. Then recently I noticed that sometimes, if I have the aircon and lights on, then turn the car off, the aircon, radio and everything else hooked up to the 'ACC' position will stay on until I turn the lights off.

I'd just put it down to one of the odd characteristics that makes a mk3 what it is

[peedman]

haha . no i know the fans come one, what i mean is like a very faint electrical buzz, kinda like the sound the power lines make just after its rained for the first time in while. and yes the i also mean the car stays running after i take the key out. as i said though, only happens when lights have been left on. and to make things more confusing, it doesnt happen every time

its prob the headlight warning buzzer which has degraded in ur case and u can barely hear it. look in the fusebox and see if u can see a tall black rectangular shaped thing with a speaker on the end, that should be the door chime/headlight warning thingy.

[dc10]

i will look as soon as i get a chance but i dont think that explains the car still running if turned off with the headlights still on. its almost like the wires to the ignition are contacting the lighting wires, meaning that both the ignition and the the light circuit have some control over the cars ignition

[thead]

Just had a thought...is it possible that the relay for ignition is in close proximity to cables for headlights? There might be some microvoltage keeping the relay circuitry closed. I had similar problem with Audi Fox 1976 model. Also, check your earths.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Tim.