Originally Posted by drapaki

are you saying you "have all the parts"? I might be interested in most of the parts.

Originally Posted by drapaki

if you can post some pics, i'd be interested in making a package deal offer!

Originally Posted by Asmara

I wanted (actually the wife casually mentioned that it would be nice one day - project authorized!) automatic headlights like on the limited and did some searching in the forums. I found this thread about DRLs that also included a couple of posts (here and here) where Rando described installing automatic headlights. Rando really paved the way but here is my version; all in one place for easy reference.

I think if you have a local pick and pull, you can get some of the parts much more cheaply used, especially the light sensor which was used in tons of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

PARTS

Limited Headlight Dimmer OEM: 84140-35150 $109

a. Aftermarket – Standard Motor CBS1240
b. Airtex/Wells - 1S3999
(note: There are lots of similar ones for Limiteds on eBay but they don’t have the automatic headlight switch. Check the aftermarket part numbers. RockAuto had the cheapest ones.)

Light Sensor OEM: 89121-12010 $133 (got mine for $99 used on ebay)
Wire Harness
If you have standard climate control you need: OEM 82142-35020 $10
If you have dual climate control you need: OEM 82142-35030 $10 (thanks ThreeFiveO)

Note: As you’ll see in the install, I got the wrong three-wire dual climate control harness which required some minor modification for my ’04. No splicing required if you buy the correct wiring harness for you vehicle.

red butt connectors (X2) (but only if you get the wrong part )

TOOLS

Phillips screwdriver or 10mm socket
Butt connector Crimper
Wire Stripper

TIME

No more than two hours

Once you complete this mod, the tremendous burden of determining if it is dark enough and then removing your arm from the steering wheel to turn that little switch will be removed from your life. You do have to double check the switch if you ever valet park your car or you might end up like this poor woman.

When in auto, the green headlight indicator is only illuminated when the headlights are turned on by the system. There's a two or three second delay before the sensor turns on the headlights when the sensor goes from daylight to dark presumable to keep the headlights from flashing every time you're in a shadow.

STEP BY STEP

• Assemble the parts.
• Remove the plastic covering the instrument cluster. It just pulls off. Helps a bit if you pull out the top of the lower cover but you don’t have to unscrew the bottom screws.
• Remove the speedo cluster. 3 screws plus the 2 screws that hold the wiring connectors to the back of the cluster.

(cont.)

Originally Posted by matthewkristof

I've had this mod done for a while, and though its a luxury, I do enjoy it.

One thing I have noticed is that when left in the Auto position and I start the engine, sometimes, only one headlight will go on (almost always the left). In order to have the right one on too, I need to turn the headlights all the way to off, then back on again (or all the way back to Auto). It's not that big a deal, but to me, defeats the purpose of having the Auto feature.

I live in super hot and sunny Southern California so it's not due to cold weather in the morning when I start the vehicle. I have checked the ballasts and bulbs and everything is fine. Running Morimoto 35w, so the power draw is still pretty small. Is there a way to fix this? I have an almost 6 year old battery from the dealer...would a newer one with more power solve this issue?

Originally Posted by matthewkristof

I really need to write complete responses before I post... :/

I actually do have a relay connected to this. I originally installed it without the relay, but after reading responses from people on this forum about their safety, I decided to install one. I achieve the same results with or without the relay.

I currently don't have any battery drain (knock on wood). Never had any problems with it. Just noting that the battery is 6 years old, it's the second one since I purchased the vehicle; maybe that makes a difference when running the HIDs straight from the battery without the engine being on. Guess I should be looking into a new battery regardless...