Weird electrical issues lately, and I wonder whether I can fix it myself: First, the battery has been draining because, it seems, there's a drain when the engine is off and the key is not in. The blower in the cabin keeps running, but I checked and according to the manual, the blower might run for a while to remove condensation from the A/C system. I had the bright idea of removing the fuse for that system, and, sure enough, the blower stopped and the car started the next morning. When I put the fuse back in, drive the car, and then shut off the ignition, though, the same thing happens. I don't want to have to keep removing a fuse every time I stop driving, and I need the heater to work during this winter.

Another recent joy: the high-beam headlights do not stay on. If I toggle the stalk on the steering column, they do come on, but when I release the lever, they go off.

Are electrical problems common on these? We haven't had any yet (it's an '04 with 95K miles). It's been below freezing here for about 3 weeks straight; could that have any effect on the cooling A/C system?

If you have the headlight switch in 'auto' mode, the high beams will not stay on.

The relay should not turn the blower on if the AC is not being used. And it is too cold to have the AC on, unless you drive with the system in defrost mode. Besides, the relay should turn the blower off if the batery reaches 12V.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

What does it mean that the headlights might be in "auto" mode? I am not sure whether that is the case or not. As always, thanks.

Re: the blower, if it shouldn't stay on, but it is on, would that indicate a bad relay? (We don't drive around during winter w/ a/c on, but we do use the "auto" function on the automatic climate control, and the green light on the A/C button is on when the automatic climate control is on.

Thanks again!

NOTE: Bi-Xenon headlights (option): Turn the headlight switch to position 0 to activate a daylight sensor, which automatically switches the low beams on or off, depending on ambient light conditions. When driving in daylight, the headlights will switch off and the daytime running lights will come on. In darkness, the daytime running lights will switch off and the Bi-Xenon headlights will switch on.

Headlights, parking lights, license plate lights and instrument panel illumination are on if the ignition key is in position II.
The headlight switch must be in this position (straight up) before the high beams will function (this also applies on models equipped with the optional Bi-Xenon headlights).
Switch from high to low beams and vice versa by pulling the turn signal switch lever on the left side of steering column toward you.

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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

The owners manual is your friend.
Theres a 3 position headlight switch on the left side of the dash. The switch pointing up is on, to the left is daytime lights only. (hi's won't stay on except to flash)
If you have the climate control in auto mode push the A/C button to turn off the A/C compressor. Light will go orange. I personally don't like auto mode. The fan is either roaring when you don't want it to or the air flow isn't where I want it. Using the manual settings the windshield will defrost much quicker too.

Well, the lights were in the wrong position and the blower seems to have miraculously healed itself. It's a mystery.