High beam indicator won't activate (1 Viewer)

[mbx118]

Dealing with some PO wiring issues. The low beams on my '84 FJ60 stay on when the stalk is in the high beam position (full forward). That's not normal right? I think this is what's preventing my hi beam indicator in the cluster from lighting up (checked the bulb, even swapped a known working one). I disconnected the big plug at the base of the steering wheel and the continuity for the headlight switches is as described in the FSM, the low beam path becomes discontinuous after pushing the stalk forward to high beam.

FWIW, the stock bulbs have been replaced with Hella H4s, I don't know if that makes any difference.

Is there some kind of common mod people do to keep the low beams on all the time? Maybe the low beam path is just grounded, not through the switch?

 

[mattressking]

Do me a favor, swap in an LED bulb and see if that fixes it. Another way to check prior to LED is pull the cluster again, run alligator clips off the circuit board and connect bulb to aligator clips, if it illuminates, but faint, it has something do with with the H4s. It happened with mine when I installed Koito H4s and harness and seems to be somewhat common. Haven't found the true reason why yet, low priority.

 

[FJ Noob]

X2 on what @mattressking said. I installed H4s and had similar issues. Threw in an LED bulb in the dash and everything is fine now.

 

[Seth S]

I’ve got H4’s in my truck and no issue with the hi beam indicator. But I’m running all stock harness right now. But if someone converted to LED which I think @mattressking is pointing to then that’s one problem. Basically if someone converted from the stock ground switched circuit to the more conventional power switched circuit layout then you could have problems.

 

[FjLobo]

Same here. Installed the koitos with OEM harness upgrade and it’s not working. Might try the led bulb.

 

[OSS]

H4 halogen bulbs won't interfere with the blue high beam indicator on the dash. I reckon 99.743% of the time the blue high beam indicator doesn't work is because an inadequate aftermarket wiring harness was installed.
In order for the high beam indicator to work, the new wiring harness has to have three relays. The only harness I found that actually worked correctly (and had the three relays) is the one made by ARB. Cruiser Outfitters has them

 

[FjLobo]

Interesting because I bought the Toyota harness and it only has two relays. Could someone post the diagram for the third? Searched here but haven’t come across it yet.

 

[mbx118]

H4 halogen bulbs won't interfere with the blue high beam indicator on the dash. I reckon 99.743% of the time the blue high beam indicator doesn't work is because an inadequate aftermarket wiring harness was installed.
In order for the high beam indicator to work, the new wiring harness has to have three relays. The only harness I found that actually worked correctly (and had the three relays) is the one made by ARB. Cruiser Outfitters has them

True. Was cleaning out the a/c blower and found an aftermarket relay hooked up to the red/blue stripe high beams wire behind the passenger side kick panel. Not sure if I want to start messing with that and tearing into the dash, but would seem to be the cause. Also found that 2 out of 3 wires at the headlight were hot relative to ground when high beams were on, which is not stock.

 

[Cruzmeister]

I have the same issue.

On my '96 FZJ80 (quad headlights version), one of my outer H4 halogen bulb blew (Hi/Lo Beam) and decided to take the opportunity to replace both with LEDs - but kept the inner H1 lights (Hi beam only) as halogen. Then while night driving I noticed the High Beam indicator in the dash will not come on.

I assumed it blew - like the D indicator - so I replaced the dash indicator light (and the entire dash bulbs) with LEDs. But it turns out, the bulb wasn't blown.

The indicator light will only come on for a split second when I turn the high beams on. So I tried a test where I replaced one of the H4 LEDs bulbs back to halogen.

Guess what? When I turn on the high beams, the indicator light comes on.

Is the cause something to do with wattage drawn? The LEDs are 30W each (the halogens 55W/65W). I'm not an auto electrician, so don't know how to solve this beyond going back to halogens.

Any suggestions?

 

[Cruzmeister]

OK, after much researching online, I found how to solve my problem.

I need to get a H4 LED Canbus / decoder. I didn't think I needed one as they usually are only for newer vehicles that have computers connected to everything (like my daily). But it seems the FZJ80 high beam indicator fault with LED high beams will be solved with a canbus.

I've ordered one and will see how that goes.

 

[Makhulu]

OK, after much researching online, I found how to solve my problem.

I need to get a H4 LED Canbus / decoder. I didn't think I needed one as they usually are only for newer vehicles that have computers connected to everything (like my daily). But it seems the FZJ80 high beam indicator fault with LED high beams will be solved with a canbus.

I've ordered one and will see how that goes.

Hey mate. Did you manage to find one that worked. I'm having the same issue now with my 80 Series and want o avoid all sorts of wiring.

 

[Cruzmeister]

Hey mate. Did you manage to find one that worked. I'm having the same issue now with my 80 Series and want o avoid all sorts of wiring.

G'day Makhulu

I did. I ended up getting a pair of Smart LED Load Module from eBay. And so far, so good. Three years on, they still work.

2x Smart LED Load Module Fits Toyota Landcruiser 60 70 75 76 78 79 80 Series AU | eBay Australia

Specification: Type:Smart LED Load Module Brand:GoodParts Condition:100% Brand New Color: Black Bulb Fitment Code:For H4 Globe Application: For Headlight Installation:Simply plug these into the headlight sockets and then plug your new LED lights into these.You need 1 module per light. This...

www.ebay.com.au

Cheers

 

[Makhulu]

G'day Makhulu

I did. I ended up getting a pair of Smart LED Load Module from eBay. And so far, so good. Three years on, they still work.

View attachment 3641752

2x Smart LED Load Module Fits Toyota Landcruiser 60 70 75 76 78 79 80 Series AU | eBay Australia

Specification: Type:Smart LED Load Module Brand:GoodParts Condition:100% Brand New Color: Black Bulb Fitment Code:For H4 Globe Application: For Headlight Installation:Simply plug these into the headlight sockets and then plug your new LED lights into these.You need 1 module per light. This...

www.ebay.com.au

Cheers

Great thanks will check them out. I had Narva LED bulbs fitted. Did you have to fit a module to only the H4 plug (daytime and high beam) or the H1 (high beam only) as well?

 

[Cruzmeister]

Great thanks will check them out. I had Narva LED bulbs fitted. Did you have to fit a module to only the H4 plug (daytime and high beam) or the H1 (high beam only) as well?

I only used the module on the high/low beam lights (H4).

The 80 Series High Beam light indicator uses wattage load to trigger it to light up. With LEDs since they draw lower wattage, it fails to trigger the indicator. So these module simply increases the load. Enough to trigger the dash indicator.

 

[Cruzmeister]

These have the H4 plugs. So, for the 80 series (with quad-lights), they are fitted on the High/Low beam lights (outer lights). The hi-beam only lights (inner lights) have the H1 plug.

In addition, these modules already have the reverse wiring specific for the 80 Series Landcruiser.

 

[Makhulu]

I only used the module on the high/low beam lights (H4).

The 80 Series High Beam light indicator uses wattage load to trigger it to light up. With LEDs since they draw lower wattage, it fails to trigger the indicator. So these module simply increases the load. Enough to trigger the dash indicator.

Thanks I got one from Super cheap and it works a treat. Blue light on the dashboard for high beam now comes on when I turn high beam on. I notice though no green light when normal daytime lights are on.... but I can't remember seeing them before the upgrade either, does yours come on?

 

[Cruzmeister]

Thanks I got one from Super cheap and it works a treat. Blue light on the dashboard for high beam now comes on when I turn high beam on. I notice though no green light when normal daytime lights are on.... but I can't remember seeing them before the upgrade either, does yours come on?

What green light? Are you referring to the dash lights themselves? I changed mine to white LEDs years ago, and I've forgotten they were originally green.



If you are, then they should come on when you turn on your park lights and/or headlights. Check the fuse box and/or if the dimmer switch is set on the dimmest setting.

If not, I don't know which green light you are referring to. The above photo is of my dashboard. These are all the lights showing with the engine running and low beam (only) headlights on.

Is yours different?

BTW mine is a '96 GXL petrol (1FZ-FE). If you have a diesel, there are additional warning lights etc.

 

[Makhulu]

What green light? Are you referring to the dash lights themselves? I changed mine to white LEDs years ago, and I've forgotten they were originally green.

View attachment 3643209

If you are, then they should come on when you turn on your park lights and/or headlights. Check the fuse box and/or if the dimmer switch is set on the dimmest setting.

If not, I don't know which green light you are referring to. The above photo is of my dashboard. These are all the lights showing with the engine running and low beam (only) headlights on.

Is yours different?

BTW mine is a '96 GXL petrol (1FZ-FE). If you have a diesel, there are additional warning lights etc.

OK cool thanks for that. No, I was referring to the standard green signal that comes on in most cars when you turn the headlights on (see picture below. But I guess the 80 series doesn't have that then. I whipped out the halogens too quickly, I never checked that there is such a signal - just assumed. But it's clear from your picture it doesn't have one. All good. I have a 1997 GXL Petrol.

 

[Cruzmeister]

OK cool thanks for that. No, I was referring to the standard green signal that comes on in most cars when you turn the headlights on (see picture below. But I guess the 80 series doesn't have that then. I whipped out the halogens too quickly, I never checked that there is such a signal - just assumed. But it's clear from your picture it doesn't have one. All good. I have a 1997 GXL Petrol.
View attachment 3643755

Yeah, I don't have that light on my 80.

But the good thing about the 80 Series, if you have the headlights on and turn the engine off, it will also turn off the headlights. Great feature for preventing your start battery from being drained. And they will automatically turn on (so long as they were left on before the engine was turned off) when you start the engine again.