the led work light on my avid power drill stays on even after i release the trigger, how do i turn it off?

Diagnosis

This behavior is typically not a mechanical failure, but a built-in feature of the Avid Power 12V cordless system known as "Delayed Shut-off." The internal control board is programmed to keep the LED work light active for a set duration—usually between 10 and 20 seconds—after the trigger is released. This is intended to assist the user in seeing the workpiece or the next screw location without having to repeatedly pull the trigger and spin the chuck.

However, if the light persists beyond 30 seconds or remains on indefinitely, the issue is likely a "sticky" trigger switch or a failure in the electronic timing circuit. In these cases, the switch is failing to send the "off" signal to the logic board, or the board itself has a shorted capacitor that is keeping the LED circuit energized. You can confirm this by removing the battery pack; if the light instantly dies and refuses to turn on until the battery is re-inserted, the issue is electrical/logic-based rather than a physical jam in the trigger assembly.

How to Fix It

If the light is operating within the normal 10-20 second window, no repair is necessary. If the light is staying on permanently, follow these steps to reset the switch and clear any debris causing the trigger to hang:

1. Power Down: Immediately remove the 12V battery pack from the base of the handle to prevent the LED from draining the battery and to avoid electrical shorts during cleaning.
2. Trigger Reset: Firmly pull the trigger all the way back and release it rapidly 5 to 10 times. This helps clear any accumulated sawdust, drywall mud, or grit that may be preventing the internal spring from fully returning the trigger to the neutral position.
3. Compressed Air Cleaning: Use a can of compressed air or an air compressor nozzle. Insert the tip into the gap between the trigger and the plastic housing. Blast air directly into the trigger mechanism to dislodge any foreign particles that might be jamming the micro-switch.
4. External Inspection: Inspect the trigger guard for any cracks or melted plastic that might be pinching the trigger, preventing it from returning to the fully "off" position.
5. Power Test: Reinsert the 12V battery. Pull the trigger once to activate the motor and light, then release. Wait exactly 30 seconds. If the light shuts off, the tool is now functioning within factory specifications.

If That Didn't Work

• Contact Cleaner Application: Spray a small amount of non-conductive electronic contact cleaner (such as WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner) directly into the trigger assembly. Actuate the trigger repeatedly to work the solvent into the switch contacts. This removes oxidation or grime that can cause the switch to "stick" electronically even if it feels physically loose.
• Battery Terminal Cleaning: Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) to clean the metal contact points on both the battery and the drill handle. Debris or corrosion on the terminals can occasionally cause erratic voltage signals to the control board, leading to "ghost" activations of the LED.
• Hard Reset: Leave the battery removed from the tool for at least 24 hours. This allows any residual charge in the capacitors on the internal circuit board to fully dissipate, which can occasionally reset a glitched timing circuit.
• Housing Inspection: If you are comfortable doing so, remove the outer casing screws to inspect the internal trigger spring. If the spring has snapped or shifted, the trigger will not apply enough pressure to the switch to break the circuit, requiring a replacement of the trigger assembly.

Heads Up

• Battery Drain: Never store the drill with the battery attached if the light is staying on. A permanently lit LED will slowly drain the 12V lithium-ion cells, which can lead to deep-discharge damage and permanently reduce the battery's overall capacity.
• Avoid Lubricants: Do not use standard WD-40 or oil on the trigger. These attract sawdust and grit, which will create a thick paste inside the switch and cause the trigger to jam permanently.
• Heat Warning: If the LED area feels hot to the touch while the light is stuck "on," remove the battery immediately. This indicates a short circuit on the board that could lead to a thermal event.
• Storage Tip: Store your Avid Power tools in a dry, dust-free environment to prevent fine particulates from entering the trigger housing, which is the primary cause of switch failure in these 3/8" drivers.