Dash lights stay on and kill the battery

I have a 2004 Sante Fe. Three times now I’ve come out from work to
find the parking lights and dash lights on. The lights are turned off
via the stalk and appear to be off when I leave the car to go into
work. But, like I said three times now for some reason they go on and
kill the battery. Anyone have any thoughts. I know they’re on
because when I go to jump the battery and put the key in the ignition,
presto, the lights are on. And again all the lights have been turned
off via the stalk before I left the car.

 

I'd primarily suspect the switch itself. If the lamps are indeed off whe
you turn them off, it's pretty unlikely you'd have a stuck closed relay

 

I don't think the lights are coming on, killing the battery, and then
staying on after a jump. If I disconnect the battery in my XG350, wait a
minute or 2, then reconnect the battery the parking lights and dash lights
will be on and will stay on until the key goes in the ignition and the car
is switched to "on". I always assumed this was one of the weird things
Hyundai does. You might want to try it on your Sante Fe. If it does the
same thing as my XG350, then something else is killing your battery...I'd
start with an ammeter and measure how much current you are drawing from the
battery when everything is off. Should be 10 to 50 milliamps or so.

Just an additional note: I killed the battery in my truck, twice, by
leaving a dome light on. Have no idea how it happened, but it did happen,
twice.

Dan

 

You don't mention your location which may be of importance. I had a very
similar experience with my 2001 XG. The dash lights would stay on or perhaps
come on, on their own & discharge the battery over time. Mine is a Canadian
car & the problem was in the day-time running light module, required here in
Canada but not the USA. So if appropriate check it out.
BCinBC