Why do my headlights go off as soon as I turn off the ignition?

What is your question?

As soon as I turn off the ignition, my headlights go off (high beams and low beams). The tail lights stay on, but the headlights go out immediately without touching the headlight switch. I've never seen that in a car before and cannot figure out why it might be doing it. I've checked every fuse I can find that has anything to do with the headlights and they are all good. It makes it easy to forget the headlights switch is on when getting out of the car, especially at dawn or dusk when the tail lights aren't as prominent.

How long has your 2005 Hyundai Elantra had this problem?

A few months

possumbarnes in Dandridge TN

Mar 13, 2018

2 Replies

Popular Answer

pushrodon Mar 13, 2018

https://carmanuals2.com/hyundai/elantra-2005-owner-s-manual-33520

pushrodon Mar 13, 2018

See > Section 1 - page 55 for headlight switch instructions... It all in there .. With pictures!

1clubinsideon Mar 13, 2018

i like pictures!

possumbarneson Mar 14, 2018

Thanks for the reply, but maybe I wasn't clear enough. I'm not having a problem with knowing how to operate the headlights. I do not have the "auto lights" feature on this car. Light switch has three positions: OFF, PARKING LIGHTS, and ON. It's dark out and I pull into the driveway and put it in Park. The headlights are on. I leave the headlight switch ON and turn the key in the ignition to OFF to kill the engine. The headlights go off. I am now sitting in the dark without turning off my headlights or opening my door. If I leave the light switch ON and get out of the car, the dome light comes on and the tail lights stay on. Section 1, Page 55 has a note at the bottom that says the ignition has to be in the ON position to turn on the headlights, but I see nothing explaining why the lights go off as soon as the ignition is turned off. This would be the first car I have ever owned, driven, sat in, or even heard of that the headlights act in this manner.

pushrodon Mar 14, 2018

Well youâ€™ve got one now! Yeah I agree - thatâ€™s a little confusing and unnecessary .. Try this to turn headlights on without key - open door - turn headlight switch to OFF position - turn headlight switch back to ON position. Turn headlight switch to off position to cancel.

Reply in Thread

1clubinsideon Mar 13, 2018

your car comes equipped with or without automatic headlights.I bought a 98 camry a while back with no indication of automatic headlights.I backed into the driveway one night,turned the engine off,removed the key,lights left on,but as soon as I opened the drivers door to get out they went off? I always have turned the headlights off manually,and would have that night(just habit).no manual came with the car and I checked parts stores for the headlight switch,and does not ask or say with or without auto headlights,only one switch listed,but they are auto as soon as I open the door,they will go off,but I still turn them off manually(old school I recon).

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