Bizarre electrical problem, please help!
 

My 2001 Santa Fe is experiencing some strange electrical issues; my interior electrical systems seem to be failing one by one.

First, my remote keyless entry stopped working (despite the remotes both having brand new batteries.
Then, my clock stopped working, either with the car on or with the key in the ACC position.
Then, my dome light stopped working on "door" mode with the key in the ACC position, but if the car is started, it works just fine. However, with the key in the ACC position, the dome light works in the "on" position, just not the "door" position.
Then, my car stereo stopped working.
Then, my dash lights began to dim, even with them turned all the way up. My dash is barely readable now at night.
My turn signals do not work anymore.
My headlights will not work unless the car is turned on (they will not work with the key in the ACC position).

My battery tests fine, and I've checked every fuse in my car both under the hood and the interior fuse box. No alternator lights have appeared, and my car runs fine with the negative battery terminal disconnected.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

RE: Bizarre electrical problem, please help!
 

Update: After looking around, I discovered that there's an open wire harness underneath the driver's seat. About a month ago, my car was broken into, and my radio taken. Is there supposed to be something underneath the seat? An amp or crossover maybe? If it was taken, could that be the cause of my electrical problems?

RE: Bizarre electrical problem, please help!
 

Did these problems occur simutaneously or sequentially? I would check the fusible link marked "B+" in the relay box under the hood. The links look like heavy duty, over size fuses. This single link feeds power to Fuses #11 through #15, which pretty much covers all the affected systems.

I'm guessing your Santa Fe does not have heated seats. The connector is likely the harness plug to facilitate installation of the seat heater option. Hyundai usually hides the stereo amp behind one of the interior panels covering one of the rear quarter panels.

When the radio was stolen, was the thief nice enough to unplug it from the wiring harness connector or did they simply cut the harness? If cut off, some of these problems could be related to a mis-matched wire when the new radio was installed. The new radio likely has a fuse built into the back of the chassis or into the power lead. I'd check that first and if blown, replace it.

There is no way the starter will work if the negative lead is disconnected from the battery. If the car continues to run after you have started it and disconnect the battery, that means your alternator is working properly (but don't leave it running this way very long).

RE: Bizarre electrical problem, please help!
 

Thanks for the help Ken.

It turns out that when I wrote "I checked every fuse in my car", I seemed to overlook a couple, including a blown fuse labeled clock (in the interior fuse box). I replaced that 10 amp fuse, and everything worked! Hyundai should relabel that fuse the "clock/dash light/dome light/radio/remote keyless entry" fuse. Am I the only one who finds it absurd that one fuse controls all of these systems?

At any rate, all is well. Thanks again homie!

By the way, I called the dealer, and they told me that the wiring harness underneath my seat is an airbag diagnostic port. Apparently, that's where the dealer installs their diagnostic equipment to examine airbag functionality...just so you know.

RE: Bizarre electrical problem, please help!
 

That is good to know and I'm glad you have the problem solved.

Please help
 

There's a turn signal relay. You can check the fuses too.

You've been through five fuses? Please explain...

Turn signal relay should be in the fuse box under the hood.

I'll have to check that tomorrow after work. Hope it works. Cant afford to have anything major wrong it. I really wanted this car and thought it was the car of my dreams now it seems like my nightmare. Havent even had it a week and the dealership has been told me to kiss off in a not so nice way.

Turns out you might have one of those turn signal relays on the body control module computer. It's a real PITA to fix, or just replace the BCM for $1000. I suspect that's why the dealer told you to "get lost".

Well, I'll try looking in the fuse box under the hood for the turn signal relay. Thank you for all your help

Could a bad bulb cause all these problems? I dont think but I am just trying to figure this out so I can fix it.

Here's a really good thread with a post from Novaresource on exactly the steps necessary to replace the turn signal relay on the BCM, it gives you an idea of what a pain the the arse it is:

https://www.hyundaiforum.com/forum/s...n+signal+relay

Thanks for all your help. The dealership finally decided to do the right thing.....i had to call an attorney about the lemon law and also contacted the bbb. but they are finally fixing it and they are even comping me a rental car. Turns out it was their fault actually.....when i got the car the clock was broke. They said they would replace it but in the mean time they would disconnect it. Turns out they just left the wire hanging and it shorting the wiring harness.

More electrical weirdness cruise control
 

My cruise control died. What I discovered was that my tail brake lights had blown, thanks to my wife following me one night, and the circuit for the cruise control is in series with the brake lights. Once I replaced the brake lights the cruise control works again...