95 Crown Vic instrument panel lights

[Robert102]

Hey folks, new member here looking for advice. After my 95 Crown Vic sat unused over the weekend, when attempting to start, the battery was completely dead. After having the battery tested, I have noticed that the instrument panel lights never completely go out. Even with the car is parked with the keys removed, they still glow very dim and will drain the battery in 6-8 hours. I'm thinking maybe the radio may be a possibility since it's display dims when the instrument panel lights are dimmed, but turning off the radio changes nothing.

Just thought I'd pick some minds here and see if this is a known problem or where I might start. I'm having to disconnect the battery cable when arriving at work in the mornings!

Thanks in advance....

[jimmytroanoke]

Head light switch maybe? Wiggle it around the off position and see ifthey go out. If you have autolamp, try running it in auto and see if they go out then.

[Robert102]

Hey, I fixed it last night! Looked in my electrical wiring book for the car and found a unit called the Lighting Control Module (LCM). Sounded logical so I spent a couple of hours removing covers, brackets, etc and finally got it out. Opened it up and found that one of the solder joints on the pcb inside had corroded and was shorting out a couple of etchings on the board. I had no idea if this was the problem, but it didn't look right, so I cleaned it with alcohol and a Qtip and put it all back together. The dim glow was now gone and the battery was fully charged this morning! Call me lucky, but I'd bet a dealer would have changed the LCM for, say, 5 or 6 hundred bucks? Just a guess, but I'd have to grab my ankles I'm sure.