Headlight high-beam Indicator and dash lights (1 Viewer)

[Kuppa T]

The headlight high-beam indicator does not illuminate on my JDM '97 Prado RX when the high-beams are on. Sounds like a really dumb question, but should it? The reason I ask is that I've imported two different 1990s Toyotas from Japan (the other is a LiteAce pickup) and neither one has a functioning high-beam indicator. I know some features just don't apply in different markets (e.g. there's no rheostat on either of my JDM Toyotas to dim or brighten the dashboard lights - which would be mandatory in the US market - so there's just one brightness level, and another example is that EU-market cars must be equipped with a rear foglight which obviously Toyota only fits in markets when it's required). On my LiteAce I've had the instrument cluster out and checked all the contacts and grounds, changed the bulb, and still no working high-beam indicator. I'm just trying to figure out if I should mess with trying to fix it on my Prado or if it's just not required on domestic vehicles in Japan.

 

[javelinadave]

Mine doesn’t work either, same year. I assumed it needed a bulb replacement but haven’t had time to replace it. I’ll be watching to see what others are experiencing.

 

[Kuppa T]

Soooo... over 120 views on this thread so far and nobody else has chimed in on whether or not their JDM-sourced 90 series Prado has a working high-beam indicator???

 

[javelinadave]

Soooo... over 120 views on this thread so far and nobody else has chimed in on whether or not their JDM-sourced 90 series Prado has a working high-beam indicator???

This section is pretty slow with responses. At some point somebody will chime in.

 

[OM617YOTA]

My 1996 JDM Prado has a working high beam indicator.

Do you have LED bulbs or a relay harness? On some vehicles the high beam indicator grounds through the low beam filaments, and messing with any of that will impact functionality.

 

[Kuppa T]

My 1996 JDM Prado has a working high beam indicator.

Do you have LED bulbs or a relay harness? On some vehicles the high beam indicator grounds through the low beam filaments, and messing with any of that will impact functionality.

Ahh. Yes I have LED headlight bulbs on both my Toyotas with this problem. Sounds like that could be the issue. Thanks!

 

[OM617YOTA]

Hope you have the correct spec headlight housings to use those bulbs, aimed correctly, and not those super blinding blue bulbs stuck in a JDM housing. Hate those things, like an icepick in the back of my eyes when driving to work at 6am.

 

[Kuppa T]

I understand. My Prado came from the factory with the 7" round headlights, so it was a super easy switch to the nice Koito headlamp units sold by Toyota which are designed for use right-hand traffic countries such as the US. I also installed quality GTR CSP H4 LED lamp bulbs from Headlight Revolution. My Prado's headlights aren't bluish, they are aimed correctly, and they don't blind anyone. But I know what you are talking about with some of the junk people install in their cars these days.

Headlamp Assembly 81110-60P70 | Toyota South - https://parts.toyotasouth.com/oem-parts/toyota-headlamp-assembly-8111060p70

H4: GTR CSP Mini LED Bulbs

The CSP Mini LED Fog Light Bulbs LED H4 Fog Light was made by GTR Lighting to fit almost anywhere & output 2-3x brighter light with 6 Z-ES LED Chips. Headlight Revolution

www.headlightrevolution.com

 

[OM617YOTA]

Fantastic, glad to hear it.

I swapped mine to 7" round Koitos as well. Just factory bulbs and wiring there now, but have the same relay harness and some special bulbs from Daniel Stern to swap in at some point.

 

[Kuppa T]

I've purchased from Daniel Stern in the past and I know he is a well-regarded lighting expert. I just went to his website and I see he has the same Kiota 7" H4 headlights. Various US-based Toyota dealers will sell a pair of these lights with relays and a wiring harness (part number 81110-60P70) for as low as $35.

But Stern's price at $179 for a pair is more than 5 times higher. Wow!

​

 

[OM617YOTA]

I was mid discussion with Stern about lights for my Prado when I discovered PN 81110-60P70. For a few bucks extra I'd have bought from Stern anyway, but for that price difference I had to go with the Toyota parts. Still bought the special bulbs from him.

 

[javelinadave]

I was mid discussion with Stern about lights for my Prado when I discovered PN 81110-60P70. For a few bucks extra I'd have bought from Stern anyway, but for that price difference I had to go with the Toyota parts. Still bought the special bulbs from him.

Local dealer ordered a set for me, $23 plus tax

 

[OM617YOTA]

Local dealer ordered a set for me, $23 plus tax

I bought from a dealer online, $15 + shipping, total was under $30.

Hope Stern is buying from his local Toyota dealer and marking up from there, that's a very tidy profit margin.

 

[Kuppa T]

Yup, OM617YOTA was correct. Today I found an old conventional H4 bulb (i.e. halogen) and I decided to run a test. I disconnected the plug on the back of one of my LED headlights and temporarily plugged in the H4 bulb just sitting in the engine compartment. Sure enough, with just one conventional bulb being used the dashboard high-beam indicator worked as Toyota designed. So the problem is the LED bulbs are not allowing grounding of the dashboard high-beam indicator light though the low-beam filaments, because of course there isn't such a thing on an LED bulb.

​

 

[HRTROB]

Yup, OM617YOTA was correct. Today I found an old conventional H4 bulb (i.e. halogen) and I decided to run a test. I disconnected the plug on the back of one of my LED headlights and temporarily plugged in the H4 bulb just sitting in the engine compartment. Sure enough, with just one conventional bulb being used the dashboard high-beam indicator worked as Toyota designed. So the problem is the LED bulbs are not allowing grounding of the dashboard high-beam indicator light though the low-beam filaments, because of course there isn't such a thing on an LED bulb.

​

I encountered the same issue when I installed H4 LED bulbs on my 80 series. The solution was to wire an incandescent bulb so the high beam indicator can be grounded. I used a 5 watt T10 bulb and an H4 extension harness (because I didn’t want to splice into the factory wiring). It’s plug and play and 100% reversible.

 

[OM617YOTA]

Sounds like an appropriate resistor in the same place would work also.

 

[javelinadave]

I swapped out my LEDs for the Toyota Koita kit today. The high beam light on the dash is super dim but it works.

 

[OM617YOTA]

I swapped out my LEDs for the Toyota Koita kit today. The high beam light on the dash is super dim but it works.

Did you use the wiring harness as well?

It didn't work on mine, left the low beams on when switching to the high beams. Not good when both filaments are in the same bulb. Showed the same super dim high beam indicator.

 

[JaxFJ]

Maybe this helps?​

1. Burned-Out Indicator Bulb:​

• Older vehicles use incandescent bulbs in the instrument cluster, which can burn out over time.
• You've already replaced the bulb in the LiteAce, but it’s worth checking in the Prado. Ensure the replacement bulb is functional and the correct type.

2. Wiring or Grounding Issue:​

• The high-beam indicator relies on proper grounding and wiring connections from the headlight circuit to the instrument cluster.
• A broken wire or poor ground connection could prevent the indicator from lighting up, even if the high beams are working.

3. Faulty High-Beam Switch:​

• The high-beam stalk or relay might not be sending a signal to the indicator light.
• If the stalk switch has corrosion or wear, it might not complete the circuit for the indicator.

4. Cluster Circuit Board Issue:​

• The indicator is powered through the instrument cluster’s printed circuit board (PCB).
• If there are cracks, damaged traces, or corrosion on the PCB, the high-beam indicator circuit may be interrupted.

5. Market-Specific Wiring Differences:​

• Some JDM vehicles may have slight variations in their wiring harnesses. While the high-beam indicator is standard, it’s worth double-checking the wiring diagram to ensure it wasn’t disconnected or altered for a specific market configuration.

6. Possible Design Quirk:​

• It’s highly unlikely, but in the rare event that Toyota omitted the indicator for JDM models, the wiring or circuitry might not exist. This seems improbable for the Prado, as it aligns with international vehicle standards.

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Try these steps to Diagnose and Fix the Issue:​

1. Check the Bulb First:
   • Remove the instrument cluster on the Prado and inspect the high-beam indicator bulb.
   • Test the bulb with a multimeter or replace it with a known working one.
2. Test the High-Beam Signal:
   • Use a multimeter to check if 12V is being sent to the indicator socket in the cluster when the high beams are on.
   • If there’s no voltage, trace the wiring back to the high-beam switch or relay.
3. Inspect the Instrument Cluster PCB:
   • Look for damaged or corroded traces on the circuit board.
   • If there’s damage, repair it using conductive paint or jumper wires.
4. Test the High-Beam Stalk Switch:
   • Check the continuity of the high-beam switch on the stalk.
   • Replace the stalk if it’s not completing the circuit to the indicator.
5. Review a Wiring Diagram:
   • Get a wiring diagram for your Prado to confirm the high-beam indicator circuit. This will help you identify where the signal originates and where it might be interrupted.

 

[javelinadave]

Did you use the wiring harness as well?

It didn't work on mine, left the low beams on when switching to the high beams. Not good when both filaments are in the same bulb. Showed the same super dim high beam indicator.

Yes, used the harness. All appears to be working properly.