Headlights don't turn off auto setting (1 Viewer)

[mtweller]

3 times now I have parked my '08, same as always, with lights in the "auto" position and come back some time later to find they never turned off. Turning the selector to "On" and then back to "Auto", they will turn off. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this issue?

I am a tad nervous, because I had a blocked sunroof drain that led to water on the A-Pillar (driver side) near all the connectors. I had an issue with the rear AC fan not working, that I corrected by unplugging and replugging the mulitpin (block) connectors near the DS floorboard under the A-Pillar plastic trim. I suspect a small amount of corrosion had built up. AC has worked fine since. This was also causing the fog lights to stay on, which also was corrected by this action. Any similar experiences? I hope I don't have to go digging in the wiring again, but sounds like a distinct possibility. GOD I HATE LC SUNROOF DRAINS!!! Fought constant issues on my wife's 80 back in the day.

Thanks in advance!

 

[speyrod]

Could you have a door or the rear hatch not closed? The other thing could you be hitting the start button twice to keep the radio on hands free etc. On my LX both will keep the light on on auto.

I think you can turn the lights to go off immediately when you open a door in the settings?

 

[LoveHateToyota]

Regardless of AUTO or ON - they should turn off, by default, 30 seconds after the vehicle has been turned off and you exit.
(Door opened). One some models you can engage the auto-off immediately by pressing lock on the remote two times, after exiting the vehicle.

Page 171 & 520 for ref.

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM60C95U/pdf/OM60C95U.pdf

I'd try resetting the head unit & the BCM.

1) Disconnect the negative terminal of the vehicles 12 volt battery

2) Wait 30 seconds

3) Reconnect the negative terminal of the vehicles 12 volt battery

If that doesn't work, I'd pull the codes. The light sensor might be bad.

You could test the sensor by shining a flash light on it or cover it with your hand... that would tell if you if the sensor is working.
But if the reset doesn't fix it - you'd have to pull codes to see what the error is.

 

[studawg]

3 times now I have parked my '08, same as always, with lights in the "auto" position and come back some time later to find they never turned off. Turning the selector to "On" and then back to "Auto", they will turn off. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this issue?

I am a tad nervous, because I had a blocked sunroof drain that led to water on the A-Pillar (driver side) near all the connectors. I had an issue with the rear AC fan not working, that I corrected by unplugging and replugging the mulitpin (block) connectors near the DS floorboard under the A-Pillar plastic trim. I suspect a small amount of corrosion had built up. AC has worked fine since. This was also causing the fog lights to stay on, which also was corrected by this action. Any similar experiences? I hope I don't have to go digging in the wiring again, but sounds like a distinct possibility. GOD I HATE LC SUNROOF DRAINS!!! Fought constant issues on my wife's 80 back in the day.

Thanks in advance!

Hey Ramon, hope you are enjoying that green 100! I had that happen in my '08 once and recently came out to the fog lights being 'on the 13 after a hard rain. Both times I had moisture in the kick panel. Both times I disconnected battery for a while, removed the kick panel, unplugged some of the connectors, used a hair dryer to blow hot air over everything and put it back together and it has been fine since. Sunroof drains were clear. Im starting to think there another place that water gets in besides coming down the A pillar from clogged sunroof drains.

After hooking the battery back up, dont put your foot on the brake when pressing the start button. Press button once, then again, and let it all boot up for a minute or so, then turn it off, and then brake plus button to actually start the vehicle.

 

[mtweller]

Hey Ramon, hope you are enjoying that green 100! I had that happen in my '08 once and recently came out to the fog lights being 'on the 13 after a hard rain. Both times I had moisture in the kick panel. Both times I disconnected battery for a while, removed the kick panel, unplugged some of the connectors, used a hair dryer to blow hot air over everything and put it back together and it has been fine since. Sunroof drains were clear. Im starting to think there another place that water gets in besides coming down the A pillar from clogged sunroof drains.

After hooking the battery back up, dont put your foot on the brake when pressing the start button. Press button once, then again, and let it all boot up for a minute or so, then turn it off, and then brake plus button to actually start the vehicle.

Sounds like we've had very similar issues. Mine was definitely sunroof drain on the d.s. - I cleared it and confirmed after some recent hard rains that it's staying good and dry. I wish you the best of luck finding another source if not that.

Can you elaborate on which connections you "toggled"? I did basically everything I could get to and unplug. The AC issue proved to be the two big multipin connectors at the very bottom - the ones that you have to remove the bolt from the center. I really appreiate this response (and the others) and will try the battery disconnect trick if I have this happen again. Going to test some today.

 

[mtweller]

More digging after the problem returned...

Found this in the 3 multipin connectors in the DS kick board

Moral of the story - keep your sunroof drains flowing properly. I cleaned these up with a soft bristle brush and some baking powder to help keep the corrossion at bay, after blowing everything out with compressed air. Problems are gone for now, hopefully for good.

 

[CharlieS]

Deoxit also works well for cleaning corroded connectors, plus some dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion.