Headlights won't turn off!!!

Guys I need help. The truck is acting weird. Here are the symptoms that started yesterday.

Dome lights came on after I shut truck off and went into house yesterday.
I could only get them to turn off via the dome light door switch overhead.

This morning I noticed the seatbelt warning indicator was on despite me wearing my belt. During my drive it would come on and off.

As I got out of the truck this morning I tried the dome light switch again but noticed the temp gauge jump a bit (key out of ignition) and the dome light would stay stuck on.

Came out of work and truck battery (1 month old because the old one was replaced from caution of its age) was dead.

Security at my building said someone reported my headlights were on. I checked the switch and it was in off position.

I got a jump start but swear I smelled a burning electrical odor. The door chime kept going off as well. I shut the truck off immediately and noticed that the headlights were on despite the key being in my hand abd the light switch was off.

Please help! 1998 Tacoma 4X2 Automatic 2.4L all stock.

 

I would suspect one of two possible things:

A bad/corroded ground is causing computers and/or relays to be staying engaged, or operating erratically.

Rodents have gotten under the hood and have chewed wiring, causing electrical shorts.

 

Ok so new problem but related. The door chime will not stop if the key is in the ignition whether running or not. The dome light and map lights won't turn off unless in the switch is turned off. The seat belt warning is lit but very dimly even when the seatbelts are buckled. The shop couldn't find the problem... Is there a common relay where or plug where the lights, and the door chime meet.

 

Disconnect the battery, clean the posts and terminals.
Before reconnecting, take a multimeter and check the charge...if low, recharge and reconnect.
If things are still a king funky, then it could be the computer or wiring like bammaToy mentioned.
I would also head to the car parts store to have then run a check to see if and error codes are shown.
Good luck... Electrical issues suck.

 

Ok I got fed up and sold the truck. I think it was the integrated relay.

The engine started backfiring and stuttering in the rain the night before last. Off to buy a brand new truck.

I can honestly say that my 1995 Tacoma 5 speed was more reliable, but that's not saying much considering the issues I had with that one too (rust, main seal, clutch, brakes, catalytic convertor, O2 sensors).

The 1998... All shocks, electrical demons (warning chimes, lighting problems, burning odor of electrical from underneath dash, bogging, rough idle, window track broken, and the beginings of accelerated rust on chassis among other problems).

The 1998 I just sold to a shop up the street from me bought it as is... Good luck to them.