dash lights stay on

dash lights stay on with key out and door closed, can walk away for hours, still on. please help

have you determined that the interior lights aren't each set to "off" and that the dash switch which turns on the interior lights is in fact on (meaning that it looks like only the dash lights are on?)

I've never heard honestly of a situation where only the dash lights are on. If that's the case, the problem may lead to much more involved diagnostics.

all switches are off, the lights are on the dash and the heater controls. last thing that happened was fuse 16 blew. well i have a different fem and rem in it now, but these lights stay on.

anyone else heard of this???

not too sure what fem and rem means...

front electronic module, and rear electronic module. they are the computers for these windstars. had all signs that lead me to replace them, drove for a week and they went bad replaced them...now the dash light thing happens. just over this. so i seeking help on here dealers are way to much for me to take it there.

It sounds like a stuck relay, but I'd also check the dimmer switch. What happens if you adjust the dimmer? Do the lights stay on full-blast or get dimmer?

the dimmer switch does nothing to it. it should dim the lights, but no. can turn off the inside light or turn them on, but that not the problem. i can unplug the switch and still on.

i tried a different dimmer and light switch-both used but no response

Check the relays. One might be stuck. You didn't specify what year model you have but check owner's manual. Mine says in location #9, "Cluster, Powertrain Control Module Relay (coil)". I'd start there. I'd also hone in on #1 and #2 in the box under the hood.

Sorry a 2000. Only has 6 relays under dash. I pulled all of them still on

check the ones in the box under the hood too

well all relays good????

Those lamps are driven directly off the instrument panel ... quite a black box! I suspect you have harness issues and are getting a voltage from ?? Check out the LB/WH conductor from terminal #9 on the instrument panel.