New forum member here. My 2000 CR-V recently started holding on to the key in the ignition. I squirted some graphite into it and it eventually let go of the key. It worked OK for awhile, then got stuck again, then eventually let go again. I decided to replace the ignition switch. Ordered one from Amazon, Beck Arnley part name on the box. Disconnected the battery terminal. After several hours, I got the new one in. The car cranked fine and the key comes out, however, now the tail lights, and upper light in the rear window stay on all the time. The other lights on the car work as they should when the light switch is turned on. I put the old ignition switch back in - same thing. I put the new one back in - same thing. The service manual wiring diagram shows a wire from the combination light switch to the fuse box which branches before it enters the fuse box, with two wires entering the fuse box. These two wires power (1) dash lights/brightness controller & (2) tail lights, license plate light, side lights, & parking lights. The diagram says the lights in (2) are all powered together, however, only the tail lights and rear window light stay on. The license plate light, side lights, & parking lights all work as they should when the combination light switch is turned on. I hope this makes sense. Any ideas on why just the three rear lights would be on, independent of the other lights on the harness? The car runs fine, I just have to disconnect the battery terminal when I park it for more than a little while.

 

The rear window light as you call it is a brake light, high mounted and in the middle.

Sooo, since you are calling all 3 lights without differentiating between tail and brake, I must assume that it is your brake lights that are remaining on.

I suggest you test that theory by pulling the brake light fuse. If they go out then you likely have a bad brake light switch.

Good luck

 

Just Ducky, you were on the right track. I looked at the brake switch and the plunger that engages the switch was barely touching the brake pedal arm. I slipped a shim in between the plunger and arm and the lights stayed off. Fortunately, an easy fix. I just assumed they were tail lights, not brake lights. Seems odd that it happened while I was working on the ignition switch. Maybe I bumped it when I was contorting my arms to get to the ignition switch harness plugs. Thanks for the reply.

 

Glad you got it fixed.

Happy Motoring