2002 Headlights & Fog Lights went out suddenly

[NVAGVUP]

Headlights and Fog lights suddenly cut out. 2002 with 188K miles.

All other lights work including turn signals, brake, parking, dash lights, and all fuses are good. Anyone have any ideas other than the chipmiunks might have eaten some wire?

Is there a relay that powers the 2 headlights and 2 Fog lights that may have failed? Some moisture makes its way into drivers foot well if a heavy rain.

Until I figure it out it is a daytime driver only.

 

[TheDurk]

Headlights and Fog lights suddenly cut out. 2002 with 188K miles.

All other lights work including turn signals, brake, parking, dash lights, and all fuses are good. Anyone have any ideas other than the chipmiunks might have eaten some wire?

Is there a relay that powers the 2 headlights and 2 Fog lights that may have failed? Some moisture makes its way into drivers foot well if a heavy rain.

Until I figure it out it is a daytime driver only.

Only thing I can think of that would kill both while everything else keeps working is the 7.5A DRL fuse. Don't just LOOK at it, test it.

Do you have DRLs and do they work?

If that's not it, I can help you troubleshooting if you have a test light or DMM.

 

[NVAGVUP]

The Daytime Driving lights are out also.
Checked the DRL 7.5 fuse visually the fuse metal looks okay from the side, however I noticed the top plastic is darker red somewhat discolored. I don't have a tester or Digital MultiMeter. I could just replace the 7.5 fuse to eliminate the bad fuse issue.

 

[TheDurk]

The Daytime Driving lights are out also.
Checked the DRL 7.5 fuse visually the fuse metal looks okay from the side, however I noticed the top plastic is darker red somewhat discolored. I don't have a tester or Digital MultiMeter. I could just replace the 7.5 fuse to eliminate the bad fuse issue.

Known good fuse is a valid test. Of course, it may blow as soon as you put it in.

 

[NVAGVUP]

the new fuse did not solve it. bought a DMM to go along with the fuse package. What's next possibility and steps?

BTW, I suppose 'It could come down to the chipmunks chewin' wire, as the cat can't catch them all and my observance of how the cat will dismember but not eat a chipmunk, it's presumed chipmunks don't taste good to the house feline. That leaves quite a few rodents to mess with the warm engine environs in winter. Often smell the aroma of roasting acorns on a long trip.

Although the stalk turns on the dash, signal, and parking lights, could the contact or wire for the head lights from the stalk be the issue? are the Fog lights independent of the headlights? or do the head lights have to be on for the fogs to operate?

 

[GHARP57]

I replaced my relay that went bad, on your fuse box under the hood its labeled as the Main Relay. 90987-02006 Should be about 22 bucks retail from your dealer. I literally just had to replace mine. Try that and see if that gets you anywhere. My relay went bad by constantly clicking and drawing power, it killed my battery.

 

[TheDurk]

the new fuse did not solve it. bought a DMM to go along with the fuse package. What's next possibility and steps?

BTW, I suppose 'It could come down to the chipmunks chewin' wire, as the cat can't catch them all and my observance of how the cat will dismember but not eat a chipmunk, it's presumed chipmunks don't taste good to the house feline. That leaves quite a few rodents to mess with the warm engine environs in winter. Often smell the aroma of roasting acorns on a long trip.

Although the stalk turns on the dash, signal, and parking lights, could the contact or wire for the head lights from the stalk be the issue? are the Fog lights independent of the headlights? or do the head lights have to be on for the fogs to operate?

Factory Fogs are linked to Low-beams.

Lots of things COULD be the issue. Let's find out what IS the issue. First thing is check that DRL fuse for 12V+ and all four headlight fuses on BOTH sides. Do this key on and stalk in high or low, as appropriate. This is not just checking fuses, this is checking circuitry at the easiest place to check it. Here is our EWD for 2002:

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96-02_Repair&Wiring/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/ewdtmc2/ewdtmpdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/020hldrl.pdf


Also, please check if heads come on when you use the FLASH function on the stalk. That tells us something, too. But there are several other possibilities, including the stalk.

If you want me to come back to the thread, please quote me. Otherwise I assume nothing has happened and it may be a while before I see your post, if ever.
[MENTION=125025]GHARP57[/MENTION] is correct, that Main DRL Relay is a prime suspect:

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-90987-02006-Genuine-Relay/dp/B008JGFS4A

 

[GHARP57]

Factory Fogs are linked to Low-beams.

Lots of things COULD be the issue. Let's find out what IS the issue. First thing is check that DRL fuse for 12V+ and all four headlight fuses on BOTH sides. Do this key on and stalk in high or low, as appropriate. This is not just checking fuses, this is checking circuitry at the easiest place to check it. Here is our EWD for 2002:

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96-02_Repair&Wiring/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/ewdtmc2/ewdtmpdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/020hldrl.pdf

If you want me to come back to the thread, please quote me. Otherwise I assume nothing has happened and it may be a while before I see your post, if ever.
[MENTION=125025]GHARP57[/MENTION] is correct, that Main DRL Relay is a prime suspect:

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-90987-02006-Genuine-Relay/dp/B008JGFS4A

Durk is right trace it back. I got lucky because mine was clicking drawing power.
It freaked me out when I pulled it and my tail relay started clicking and when I pulled and then my starter relay started clicking! I was worried that I had underlying issues but for now it seems to be fine.

 

[NVAGVUP]

Factory Fogs are linked to Low-beams.

Lots of things COULD be the issue. Let's find out what IS the issue. First thing is check that DRL fuse for 12V+ and all four headlight fuses on BOTH sides. Do this key on and stalk in high or low, as appropriate. This is not just checking fuses, this is checking circuitry at the easiest place to check it. Here is our EWD for 2002:

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96-02_Repair&Wiring/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/ewdtmc2/ewdtmpdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/020hldrl.pdf


Also, please check if heads come on when you use the FLASH function on the stalk. That tells us something, too. But there are several other possibilities, including the stalk.

If you want me to come back to the thread, please quote me. Otherwise I assume nothing has happened and it may be a while before I see your post, if ever.
[MENTION=125025]GHARP57[/MENTION] is correct, that Main DRL Relay is a prime suspect:

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-90987-02006-Genuine-Relay/dp/B008JGFS4A

It took a while but The DRL, Headlights and Fog lights are back on and for the past 24 hrs functioning normally. The DRL Relay and the LAMP Relay were both shorting out. Both were replaced we'll see how it goes from here. Also, the warning light for the battery which came on intermittently but would go out after a few minutes, has not come back on. It was probably identifying a short all along.

Thanks for the road map on electrics.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Only thing I can think of that would kill both while everything else keeps working is the 7.5A DRL fuse. Don't just LOOK at it, test it.

Do you have DRLs and do they work?

If that's not it, I can help you troubleshooting if you have a test light or DMM.

LH low beam fuse also powers the fog lamp relay, could you have one bad bulb too? Also the DRL relays come in to play on both circuits.

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96-02_Repair&Wiring/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/ewdtmc2/ewdtmpdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/021ffl.pdf

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96-02_Repair&Wiring/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/ewdtmc2/ewdtmpdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/020hldrl.pdf

EDIT, man I don't know where my head was. I thought I was responding to a new thread, El Durko had this covered!