540i parking light stays on???

[cornercarver]

I have a 97 540i auto and I noticed while walking by my car in the garage, that the Park light designator stays on. Is this normal or is it something wrong and will drain my battery's juice?

[mohamed 525i]

I guess u need to keep ur signal lights bar in middle position

[cornercarver]

I guess u need to keep ur signal lights bar in middle position

???

[ESP]

If you have the turn signal stalk set to either the left or right (up or down) it will leave on the corresponding parking lights (left side or right side). A common practice in other parts of the world when parked to keep others from running into your ride.

[cornercarver]

Thanks for the reply's but I am not talking about the outside lights. I should have specified more... the center console inside my car... all lights off and car has been sitting for a long duration, I can look into the car and see the Park light indicator "on" again, on the center console not the outside park lights. Hope that clarifies it more and thanks for the responses.

[James]

I checked and mine doesn't stay on.

[cornercarver]

Thats what I thought. I need to have it checked out. Thanks, James!

[James]

No problem - good luck!

[ESP]

Originally Posted by cornercarver

Thanks for the reply's but I am not talking about the outside lights. I should have specified more... the center console inside my car... all lights off and car has been sitting for a long duration, I can look into the car and see the Park light indicator "on" again, on the center console not the outside park lights. Hope that clarifies it more and thanks for the responses.

I understand exactly what you mean now... neither the e39 or the X5 are here but I will check, I thought the E39 did stay on, its a 1997.

[cornercarver]

Thanks for the check, ESP. I am bringing it to my mechanic for a once over and try to locate any gremlins before they start. If you get time to respond to this before, great. I just purchased the car and already the service engine light popped. Ooooph.

[James]

Originally Posted by cornercarver

Thanks for the check, ESP. I am bringing it to my mechanic for a once over and try to locate any gremlins before they start. If you get time to respond to this before, great. I just purchased the car and already the service engine light popped. Ooooph.

I wouldn't be too nervous about that. In my 2 1/2 years of 540 ownership, the most expensive repairs did not set off a CEL.