A few times now, I've got out of the car leaving the lights on.
I was thinking, as there is already a supply behind the dash for the panel lights, to use this to power a buzzer - switched via a relay, which connects through the courtesy light ground supply, from the door switches.[frame]Here's a simplified version of the diagram. The lamps shown are the panel lights behind the speedo. These are on constantly when the sidelights and headlights are on.
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This'd work, right? Thoughts?
“The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete in the urban compound.” ― Marshall McLuhan
Quite a modern idea, nothing wrong with it, but the simpler alternative is to check the switches before getting out of the car, and/or look at the car as you leave it.
You don't need the relay, just connect the -ve feed for the buzzer to the courtesy light door switch, then connect the +ve feed for the buzzer after the headlight switch. This assumes your car is negative earth. The buzzer will also sound when the passenger door is opened but you can isolate that with a diode, if it bothers you.
The whole point I think is for it to only sound when headlights (not sidelights??) are on. But seriously - not switching off headlights when leaving the car????????? You should automatically go through a standard checklist in your head when leaving the car....including setting the secret switch of course............ And do remember to set the parking brake.....
I hate cars which tell me what to do. Beep your seat belt is undone, beep the handbrake is on, beep the door is open, beep the lights are on etc etc etc
bmcecosse wrote:The whole point I think is for it to only sound when headlights (not sidelights??) are on. But seriously - not switching off headlights when leaving the car????????? You should automatically go through a standard checklist in your head when leaving the car....including setting the secret switch of course............ And do remember to set the parking brake.....
Okay.
“The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete in the urban compound.” ― Marshall McLuhan
I think I might copy you and get a buzzer for myself. I usually drive with the headlamps on and the panel lights off so it happens very frequently that I get out of the car, lock the door, take a few steps and then notice the lights are on. Hasn't left me stranded but it's a hassle to go back and unlock, turn off lights and then lock again.
Might even get a vintage buzzer for a period authentic sound! http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAY-5-5-MADNESS ... 20e51b81ef
I've done some fag packet maths and if enough people are interested (10 or so), I can make a lights on reminder that stops buzzing after a short while if you keep the door open, to reduce the annoyance factor, for £3.50 +postage. Two wire installation. PM me.
Remember this?? I finally got around to it today...
I put the buzzer in the engine bay (It was loud) and wired the +ve to the panel light supply, and the -ve to the ground from the courtesy switches. Simple as that - it works a treat!
“The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete in the urban compound.” ― Marshall McLuhan
I know this is an old thread, but answers a question I had - taking bmcecosse’s point. if drain via the lights is an issue would putting a diode between buzzer and the feed from the lighting switch address this? Do the commercial 2 wire buzzers sold for this purpose have a diode in circuit?
Buzzers may have a diode to stop it being damaged by reverse polarity connection but i wouldn't bank on it.
Best to add your own diode 1N4000 series will work fine in the supply to the buzzer to stop the buzzer supply going reverse polarity when the headlights/sidelights are off and doors closed.
That's how I connected mine in the early 80's.
I wasn't in the habit of leaving lights on but my sister was.
Just for completeness:-
Lights warning buzzer.png (15.02 KiB) Viewed 3330 times
For positive earth reverse diode and buzzer connections.
Regards John
You should automatically go through a standard checklist in your head when leaving the car....including setting the secret switch of course............ And do remember to set the parking brake..... 
