Parking Lights off? '07 Spectra5

[KIAZILLA]

The headlights in my 06 spec5 will not come on without the key.

[parish]

My 07 does the same thing. It has about 3500 mi on it now. Since we bought it, on two occasions the parking lights have stayed on even after the key was out of the ignition and the doors closed with alarm on. The first time it happened I caught it about and hour or two after I went inside. The second time it happened I did not catch it and by the morning, the battery was dead and I needed a jump.

My understanding is that when the lights are all the way on, they turn off when the key is removed and the door opened. Once the door is closed the lights should stay off. I cannot understand why the parking lights only would stay on and not the headlights as well.

I am now just turning them on and off by hand because the dealer could not figure out why they would do it and I could not get the car to do it for the dealer.

[Metal4TheMasses]

It's probably a security feature so that owners don't deplete thier battery.

[todd]

Yeah I've found my parking lights on twice now. Tonight after I parked my car and all the lights were out, no headlights or parking lights. When I got to my house and looked back at my car my parking lights were on, I thought maybe they would go off by them selfs, but after about 20 minutes I found them still on.. The first time I noticed it was about a month ago, again all lights were out and they came on by them selfs... Oh, and the first time I had already hung my keys up so I know I didnt actually push a button.

[sqrlpowered]

This is one of the things I came on this forum looking for. I have a 2007 Spectra and am having a problem with the lights too. I did what is listed in the owners manual and it did not help my problem any.

If I leave the light switch on and park the car even with no keys in the ignition, alarm set or not, facing north south or any other direction I risk coming out a few hours later and finding the parking lights on. When I get out of the car all lights are out. I look out a few hours later and sometimes the parking lights have come on. Most of the time it seems to be an overnight thing. I have not found a solution other than making sure the light switch is off every time I get out of the car.

I am going to call the dealer about this and will let you know what they come up with.

[Spectra_sxT]

I am a "sales consultant" (fancy word for car salesman)at Moritz Kia in Fort Worth, Tx.
I have the same problem on my 07 Kia Spec. Our service center contacted Kia who said that they are awere of the problem that some Spectras around the year model of 07 have experiencing. Kia is trouble shooting to find out what the problem is. More then likely a problem with the ignition switch not releasing properly after you take the key out so the car lights stay on as if the key is still there. Until this problem is solved, they recommend you turn your lights off when you turn your car off to prevent a battery drain.

Not to be alarmed, this in no way leaves your car unsafe. It still will not start with out the key. You just don't want to find that your car is dead and no you need a jump.

~Aaron

[dietDrThunder]

I'm going to go out on a limb here, and suggest that folks turn off their lights when they exit the car.

[sqrlpowered]

I agree with the turn the lights out comment the only problem is without a ding ding ding reminder my wife tends to forget about them. Maybe if I have her go out when it is 10 degrees and jump the car then she will start remembering more....

It would make sense that the problem involves the ignition switch. I have had another problem that points to the same source. One of the mornings that I went out and found the parking lights on I also found that the steering wheel would not unlock and the key would not turn to the start position.

Having had similar things in the past with other cars I figured I just needed to turn the wheel fully against the limit of the lock and then it would release. Nope did not work. After an hour or better of trying stuff (disconnecting the battery, spraying lock de-icer into the ignition switch, turning the wheel back and forth against the lock, using a heat gun to heat column and ignition switch) and just when I was ready to call and have the thing towed to the dealer I tried one more time. With one hand I turned the key to the right against the point that it would not turn past and kept pressure on it while slowly turning the steering wheel. Then after a little “click” the key and steering wheel released.

I have never had the problem since but kind of feel like it will show up again at the least opportune time.

[rebelsfr3]

ive noticed that sometimes the ignition sticks just before full off. and when that happens the parking lights stay on. so when i notice them on after car is off and keys are out of ignition, if i just tap the ignition or put my keys back in that i can hear the ignition click off and at that time the lights turn off. try that.

[kiatech1]

I am a kia tech here in Canada, we have the same issue here with a few spectra's and we have replaced the ipm or instrument panel module and have cured the first one we tried so we are going to try another to see if it was a fluke.