If you drive a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, you might be looking into replacing or reprogramming your key fob. It’s a common need as key fobs can wear out, get damaged, or simply go missing. For some 2004 Santa Fe models, the process to reprogram a new key fob is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to a handy little switch located under the dashboard. However, not all 2004 models are created equal when it comes to this feature.
It appears that 2004 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured up to around May 2004 include an easily accessible OFF/SET switch. This switch simplifies the process of programming new remotes. This convenient box is typically found under the dash, making key fob programming a breeze for owners of these earlier models.
But here’s where it gets interesting. If your 2004 Santa Fe was manufactured after approximately May 2004, you might find that this OFF/SET switch is absent. This difference can be puzzling and frustrating when you’re trying to program a new 2004 Santa Fe Key Fob.
One owner’s experience highlights this exact issue. Owning two 2004 Santa Fe vehicles, they discovered that one, presumably an earlier model, indeed has the programming switch. The other, a later 2004 model, does not. Intriguingly, where the switch is located in the first vehicle, the later model has a black sticker. Upon removing this sticker, a hole is revealed, suggesting the switch might have been intended to be there. However, probing the hole with a tool didn’t confirm the presence of a switch.
This raises a question for other 2004 Santa Fe owners: If you have a post-May 2004 model and have encountered this sticker and hole, have you also found the switch to be missing? Adding to the mystery, there’s speculation that in these later 2004 Santa Fe models, the programming box might have been relocated. Potential new locations could be behind the radio or the A/C controls. However, these areas require further investigation.
Therefore, the key question remains: For those with later model 2004 Santa Fe vehicles without the under-dash switch, has anyone successfully located a key fob programming box behind the radio or A/C controls? Sharing any insights or experiences could be incredibly helpful for other 2004 Santa Fe owners facing the challenge of 2004 santa fe key fob programming without the apparent OFF/SET switch.
