Park Lights Stay on with Switch Off or come on by themselves when cold

[Windstar12]

I've got a 2000 Windstar. About 1 year ago the parking lights would come on in the middle of the night by themselves. Would replacing the headlight switch solve this problem? Thanks. New to forum. Any help appreciated.

[Mustang_Driver]

It could be the switch but on my mustang the DRL came on all of a sudden no keys in the on position,headlights turned off and it turned out to be the DRL Module fried during the night and would turn on my lights and drain my battery took my awhile to figure this out as i could only work on it during the day and didn't notice it but as soon as i hooked up my battery charger one night the lights came on and that is how i figured it out.. not sure if cars in the USA have DRL or not but it could be the module as the dealer just turns them on via computer in canada

[12Ounce]

I believe, (don't quote me on this) that all the exterior lamps are fed a "constant" hot 12 volts ... and the switching is done on the ground/negative side. If this is true .. any ground fault can cause the lamps to lite. I would replace the lamps.... as the ground fault may be inside the lamp-bulb itself.

[Mustang_Driver]

i haven't heard about a light bulb doing that but sounds like a switch or module that is malfunctioning if you need a repair manual let me know i have a copy on my hotmail skydrive i can send a like to

[12Ounce]

If the filament breaks on the "negative" end and touches the ground/base ... the filament glows. I've had it happen.

Though I would suspect a worn insulation spot on the switching lead.... lots of opportunities along the harnesses.