I have a weird electrical issue that I think is related to the fact that I don't have to have the key in the ignition to start and drive the truck.

Anything powered by ACC (when the key is in the ignition and turned) is always on, including the 12V power port and the dome light.

I thought I'd ask and see if anyone has had a similar issue or can use their experience to point me in a good direction before I start tearing apart my steering column or replacing parts.

Thanks!

__________________
1999 Mazda B2500 2WD

The 12 volt power ports are always on, and your ignition may be bad if you can turn it without a key.

__________________
Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15

As mentioned the 12v port and cigarette lighter are not switched. Neither is the dome light, as most cars you can turn that one without the key.

The no key issue would seem to be a mechanical issue with the ignition.

__________________
'98, 2wd, 2.5l, 5spd, regular cab step side
'07, 4X4, 4.0l, 5spd, super cab fleet side
'66 Ford Mustang 289, Auto
'81 Yamaha XS850 custom bobber
'91 Suzuki Marauder

Thanks guys! Apparently the dome light is controlled by the dimmer switch on the dash. Is it controlled at all by the door? I couldn't get the dome light to respond to anything but the ignition being turned and the dimmer switch being turned all the way up.

Finally, the headlights are entirely controlled by the switch on the dash - they don't go off when the ignition is turned off. Is that expected behavior?

In both of these instances I was expecting the same behavior is saw in my previous vehicles, older and newer than this 1999 truck such as: dome light goes on when the door is opened, stays on until the car starts, then goes off to drive, and the headlights turn off when the key is off unless overridden.

__________________
1999 Mazda B2500 2WD

The dome light turns on if the door is open (light on the dash says door is open as well), if the dimmer switch is turned all the way up, or if the switches on it turn it on (if you have those) and that is it.

That is normal. You must have been driving luxury cars because everything I've driven 08 and older has worked like my truck has (even with auto lights)

__________________
Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15

I'm not seeing that behavior. No lights on the dash (or buzz) indicates the door is opened. I've read that the switch is in the latch, and it can get gummed up... Thanks for letting me know what 'normal' behavior is at least, that's very helpful.


I remember my old 85 Toyota Corolla and 85 Subaru Loyale (neither of them luxury by any means!) seemed to turn the lights off with the ignition, unless they were set to another "always on" setting.

Thanks again.

__________________
1999 Mazda B2500 2WD