auto off headlights not turning off

[dr.john]

Hello all, I am new to the 4runner and forum. I recently bought a 2001 sr5 4x4 and am very happy with it.

The only problem I am having is that without a warning bell I have left my headlights on a couple of times and they are not turning off automatically as I think they are supposed to.

This morning at work there was an overhead page -there was a black 4runner (mine) with its headlights on in the lot- about an hour after I got to work. I would have had trouble getting home without the page.

Is it possible the previous owner turned off the warning tone? If the auto off is failed, is this common? Any suggestions? I will try the dealer tomorrow.

 

[alaskanboi]

Mine only stay on if i have the door open before i turn off the car. I don't think i get a warning noise when I do this, but then again, I do it on purpose so i know.. I would have to double check to see if I get a tone...

 

[Doug S]

I also have an 01 SR5, no warning tone but they do go off when I open the door. Are your DRL's working?

Doug

 

[dr.john]

Thanks much for the repies.

Doug:
Yes the DRLs are working.

alaskanboi:
That raises a good question. I read through the owners manuel again and saw that the auto off works when you shut off the engine and then open the door. I would imagine I did just that, but now I will have to try to make it happen again.

It does say as well though that even without the auto off they should turn off in 30 minutes which did not happen in this case.

Thanks again -
John

 

[GSGALLANT]

Likely a door switch that's intermittently sticking.

See solution here.

 

[Ill4Runner]

I just keep mine turned off, I don't trust the auto off. My father has a Mountaineer and he just leaves the lights on and lets that auto switch go to work....he's needed to be jumped a few times.

 

[dr.john]

Thanks GSGALLANT. I think you are right. I have only been able to recreate the problem once, so it is intermittant and the door switch problem seems a likely cause.

Ill4Runner, you are right, probably best not to rely on the auto off. I just want to fix it because I know once in a while without a warning tone I will forget to turn the lights off. Especially in the AM going into work.

Thanks again for the responses.