I have a 98 xk8 recently while parked the parking lights will come on. The key is not in nothing is running it doesn't matter if the lights are in auto mode or off they come on and drain my battery. Has anybody seen anything like this and where should I start trouble shooting this ghost ?

 

Both sides or one side?

 

I would first check the spare tire well for standing water and/or heavy moisture. The reason I say this is because I've seen the SLM (security locking module) cause this problem on more than one occasion. This is located under the fuse box in the trunk.

 

Both sides and license plate light, just like if you would turn them on .
Bone dry no moisture garage kept.

 

Still sounds like a SLM to me. They go bad a little more often than I'd like to admit. I'd do a hard reset of the battery first and see if that helps. That's what I'd start with anyways. Is the battery kept on a tender/maintainer when not in use?

 

Battery is not on a a tender car is run at least once a week. When the parking lights come on turning the light switch does nothing , but putting the key in and out of the ignition makes the lights go out. I will try the hard reset.

 

Could all just be the beginnings of a dying battery, corroded connections at high voltage fuse block, positive battery cable corroding inside insulation, crimp connection at battery cable loose/corroding.

I have experienced bizarre behavior from my vehicle due to a parasitic leak, caused by the ignition door/flap, not completely closing therefore the car was not going into sleep mode. As the battery conditioned worsened, electrical anomalies began appearing. I got into the car one night and as soon as I began to insert my key, there was several odd chimes, and the roof began it's lowering cycle, although I had not touched the roof down button, and was no where near it. Along with the other 'tell tale' signs of a low or dying battery, like the windows loosing their travel limit memory, or drop an inch every time the handle is actuated, DSC and ABS warnings that clear when the car starts. New battery and clamp cleaning took care of the anomalies, and cleaning the ignition flap cleared the parasitic drain issue.

It could be a result of the change in temperature this time of year, or a hard solder joint in the steering wheel light stalk has broken loose making intermittent contact causing problems.

 

I found the problem an interior dimmer switch . It was not on , but it was acting like it was so this was draining the battery and causing the ghosts that were annoying me. I like to thank everyone that gave me suggestions & help.

 

well i thought it was gone , but a year later it returns just like last time. Maybe the car doesn't like the start of summer ? i'll charge the battery and start trouble shooting . any suggestions are welcome.

 

You mentioned putting the key in and pulling it back out turned the lights out. Check to see if the little flap always closes when the key is pulled out. You could use a little light oil if it sticks.

It might be worth while to open the SLM and seeing if it's dry inside. That is, if you can even open it. I've never even looked at mine.