Chrysler Repair: 1999 Durango back up lights on all the time, truck manuals, relay switch

Question
My 1999 durango back up lights are on all the time even with the ignition off which drains the battery. Any ideas as to the probable culprit?

Answer
Hi James,
I can only guess about this one because I don't have any truck manuals or experience with them. However, I suspect that the current for the back-up lamps is controlled by a relay whose source is directly from the battery, rather than thru the ignition switch. It would normally not be a problem because the ignition switch is involved to operate the relay switch's operating coil. But if the relay power contacts burn themselves together so that the relay won't disconnect the current for the lights, then of course that would leave the lights on all the time even though the ignition was 'off'. So I would look around for a block of relays in a box in the engine compartment or under the dash and see if any of the relays are designated as assigned to the back-up lamps. If so, I would expect that you will find the points are welded togeter. Or just replace the relay. Please let me know if you find this to be the answer.
Roland