Santa Fe Interior Lights

[larryssf]

Just bought a used 2011 SF GLS and the interior lights weren't coming on. I engaged the "door" button on the back seat dome light and they now come on as they should when the doors are opened or closed. BUT I can't get the front map lights to come on at all when the door opens. Engaging the "door" button for the map lights doesn't do it. Any suggestions?

[pare_john]

This is a common problem that I had too. It is a bad diode in the map light assembly. I had it repaired under warranty. They simply replaced the whole map light unit. see this thread.

Front dome light not working when doors open

[SF_SCL]

I own a 2010 SF but I think is a 2009 model and my map lights won't come on when the doors are opened. How can I know if the map lights were supposed to turn on when doors are opened or if my model doesn't include this feature?

Thanks and good luck!

[jimmbeem]

My '07 SF (made in Aug '06) and the very first batch of this generation had that common problem, I remembering searching the Santa Fe forums here couple of years ago - found a Hyundai KIT as part of a TSB, dealer installed under warranty (free), the USA and Canada had same problem, not sure about other countries, but I believe (not 100% sure) that was fixed for cars made after '08 .. I'll see if I can find the paperwork from my dealer visit..

[pare_john]

They never had a permanent fix since even the '12 had this issue.

[jimmbeem]

Link here might be helpful: Poor Interior Illumination - Update!

Thing is, when mine was installed / repaired (btw, I never saw the wiring "kit" dealer had to order) it behaves a little strange - when second row of passengers turn their Dome light (central above them) the Map lights come on upfront also, and is kind of annoying / distracting at night, only way to disable that is on that Dome (central) second row passengers have to push disable the button "Door" while turning their "Dome" light while using it.. kind of tricky, but it works.. my wife and I rarely have other people in the vehicle..at least the Map lights work when entering / exiting, it used to be so dark at night upfront.. I had discovered that strange behavior past the 30 days and past the factory warranty, so I and never went back to dealer for this.

I just wished there was a way to engage that second raw Passenger central dome light from the driver's seat !
I am over 6'3" with seat all the way back as I drive / ride upfront it is still hard to reach back and get some light in the car looking for stuff on that back seat / foot well at night..oh well.. it can't all be perfect, can it

[pare_john]

On my'12 you can control the central dome light from the front.

[jimmbeem]

pare_john, is there a dedicated switch somewhere upfront on the 2012 for that central dome light? (I don't have the sunroof, thinking the Map light / sunglasses holder assembly is different), if you don't mind sharing ?

[pare_john]

Yes I have a dedicated switch to turn it on

[jimmbeem]

pare_john where do you have this on the later CM Santa fe's, like yours ? With the kids in the back seat I can really benefit from this ability.. I just went and searched the car again, the entire front / dash area, did not find a dedicated button for central dome light, I played with the IP dimmer switch also, but unlike other vehicles when you turn it up all the way up, it doesn't switch the dome lights on..Car manual doesn't say anything. Where should this be ?