Hyundai Repair: ajar light stays on and chimes evan though doors were shut and ignotion light stays on, rear pillar, side fender


Question
why? does this happen is it because the door was hit in between the split seperating the front side fender and driver's side door and the ignition switch glow light stays on please help.

Answer
It is possible that this has been caused by the body damage.  

The fact that the chime is on indicates that the problem is with the driver's door.  Open the driver's door and look at the rear pillar in the opening.  On that pillar will be a rubber-covered plunger.  This plunger is part of the door switch that sends signal that the driver's door is open.

Under normal circumstances, opening the door causes the plunger to extend, closing the circuit for the courtesy lamp and chime.  When the door is shut, the plunger is depressed, opening the circuit.

If the door does not fully depress the plunger, you'll have the symptoms you describe.  If you cannot repair the vehicle so that the plunger depresses properly-- if the plunger is simply broken off, you can simply replace the switch assembly-- you can deactivate this input by simply removing the switch.  Keep in mind, however, that in this circumstance, the things that normally change or occur when the door is opened will no longer occur.