2nd Gen - high beams don't work! Relay?

[lelebebbel]

The high beams on my 2nd Gen 4R (1995 3.0 V6 manual) have become unreliable - they work when I pull the turn signal lever (flasher), but when I push the lever forward to activate the high beams, 50% of the time the lights just turn off completely.
Rather irritating when driving at night!

The bulbs are ok, so are the fuses. The main headlight relay under the bonnet seems to work, too. From what I can tell, that doesn't have anything to do with hi/low beam switching anyhow?

Is there a seperate hi/low beam relay hidden somewhere?


I've had a look at the shop manual and tried to make sense of the wiring diagrams, but i couldn't quite figure it out. The fact that I have a right-hand drive car (Australia) and my shop manual is for left-hand drivers doesn't make it easier!

Any hints greatly appreciated.

 

[lelebebbel]

This is the relevant wiring diagram from my manual, I think.

Now the problem seems to be somewhere in the R-G connectors. The high beam indicator light does work, and so does the "flasher" function.

The "DIMMER SW" must be the actual turn signal / lights control lever on the steering column? Could that be the problem?

 

[Hyde802]

they work when I pull the turn signal lever (flasher), but when I push the lever forward to activate the high beams, 50% of the time the lights just turn off completely.

Sounds like the switch in the steering column is failing.

 

[fourwd1]

Sounds like the switch in the steering column is failing.

That's the combination switch, and it's a fairly common problem.

Here's some info that may help.

 

[lelebebbel]

Thanks- that has to be it. Very strange that Toyota routes the full headlight current through that switch, no surprise it's failing.
I think I'll do a relay conversion if I can find a suitable wiring harness somewhere.

 

[lelebebbel]

Found the switch and cleaned it up - all good now. Thanks a lot for the help.

Quite tricky to dig out the switch under all its plastic covers and bits and pieces. Steering wheel definitely has to come off in the 2nd gen.