Dashboard lights (speedometer, clock and mileage) don’t turn off

[my1999boxster]

I’ve had my 1999 Boxster for almost a month and this just started happening 3 days ago. When I turn off my Boxster and remove the key, the dash lights including the speedometer, clock and mileage reading no longer turn off. I don’t know if I accidentally changed a setting that I can change back, or if this is a problem? I’ve waited for 5 minutes and the lights stay on. The only way I can get the lights to turn off is to lock the car. Any suggestions or ideas?
thanks for your help.

[sasha055]

That's normal.

Dash will go off in about 5 min or if you lock the car.

I had same scare after I changed my ignition switch.. I noticed that dash lights will stay on unless I lock the car. If you leave your car for 5-10 min.. they will go off.

Thanks
Sasha

[spyder803]

Agreed, hadn't noticed this until I changed my ignition switch also but they do go off.

[Lil bastard]

That is a sign of the ignition switch going bad - a $20 part and pretty easy to swap. Documented here lots of times.

Cheers!

[henry garcia]

Hi so is it normal for dash board lights to stay on for 5 min or go off right after you pull the key out.

Thanks for any help

[Boxtaboy]

It is normal for the dash lights to stay on for 5 minutes after you pull out the key, unless you lock the car (in which case they go out right away). However, if the lights do not go out even after 5 minutes, then it could be that your clock reset/mileage reset knobs are stuck in the pushed in position, or your ignition switch is starting to act funny.