Automatic headlights at night : possible mod?

Randyman... said:
Bump for update! I was a little shocked when the 2009 Corolla I borrowed had Auto Lights, but then my shiny new '13 T4R didn't (cost 2x as much as the Corolla, too!). Sounds like an easy mod as long as you have the factory sensor?

I really like the benefits of auto-lights over leaving them on 24/7 (for the aforementioned reasons - mainly for "proper" dash illumination response while still retaining auto-headlights at night w/o manually turning them off/on).

:cool:
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My experience too; my 07 Corolla S has auto lights and my past 04 Highlander Limited as well. I assumed a 13 would be a no-brainer, especially the SR5 Premium, lots more features than either older vehicle. My wife and I were deciding between a 13 Limited with higher miles out of state or a local 13 SR5 Premium. If she finds out the Limited has auto lights, the buyer's remorse will kick in pretty bad lol.
 
rigtec said:
Hi Bimmer-Bob,

I'm leaving this 5'th gen 4Runner 'limited' Headlight circuit diagram here on this thread; hoping that you (everyone) will accomplish your goal. I took a quick look at the diagram and marked the essentials needed to make it work, "see below":


It looks like you'll need only four parts as noted by the I.D. labels in pen e.g., the Headlight dimmer switch assm, Dimmer SW. harness, Automatic light control sensor, and the Light control sensor harness. The Main body ECU Network compu are ALL the same from 2010 to 2015, so no changes needed there.

Cheers!
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Rigtec, thank you for this. If anyone has direction to remove dash components, I'm happy to look if the wiring harness is in place. If so, I'll put the sensor in and trigger the wire in the dimmer switch reserved for auto on, and see what happens. If it's plug in sensor and toggle switch easy, that would be nice for everyone to know. Any you tube videos on dash removal or replacement of the light sensor?

EDIT: The harness is there, plugged into the cap itself which caps off the hole in the dash. I have no idea how to post a photo, but just pop that cap up and you should see it. Part # 89121-06020 for the sensor itself, retail is $167. I'm looking for a dealer who has it. Simple plug in and that will take me to the next step. My vehicle already has the DRL option on the turn signal switch so I'm curious if it would just be a program by Toyota or not afterwards.

Thanks.
 
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Does anyone have a pro or limited with the auto headlights who is willing to send a photo of your turn signal switch please? Thanks.
 
Why would you want to? I'm a more controlling type of person. I like to decide when I put high beams on.

And another thing, when it comes to wipers, I'm very anal. I rage if the wipers wipe when there's not enough water on the windshield.

I guess I like to decide, not a computer. It's a problem for me now-a-days.
 
Half Way there

So - the harness was already plugged into the "cap" where the sensor goes. I pulled out that cap, plugged in the sensor, and now my interior lights and NAV screen dim/brighten properly.

My headlight switch (I don't know why they call it the dimmer switch because the rheostat is on the dash, not on the stalk) has a setting for DRL instead of AUTO. I was hoping it would do the same thing, but it in fact does not operate the headlights, only the DRL's.

Wondering if there is a relay somewhere that may be involved, or if somehow the circuitry in the switch is different from what the Mitchell manual suggests?

Any ideas??

If I need to just replace the stalk, I will - but I kind of want to make sure I'm not just making a $150 mistake and all it needed was a relay or dealer program...

Thanks!
 
CactusHugr said:
So - the harness was already plugged into the "cap" where the sensor goes. I pulled out that cap, plugged in the sensor, and now my interior lights and NAV screen dim/brighten properly.

My headlight switch (I don't know why they call it the dimmer switch because the rheostat is on the dash, not on the stalk) has a setting for DRL instead of AUTO. I was hoping it would do the same thing, but it in fact does not operate the headlights, only the DRL's.

Wondering if there is a relay somewhere that may be involved, or if somehow the circuitry in the switch is different from what the Mitchell manual suggests?

Any ideas??

If I need to just replace the stalk, I will - but I kind of want to make sure I'm not just making a $150 mistake and all it needed was a relay or dealer program...

Thanks!
Click to expand...
What mode is the headlight switch in when the sensor is actively controlling your dash lights? Is it controlling them all the time, or only when in the DRL position?
 
It appears (sorry I haven't fully tested this yet) that it's only in the "on" mode that the dash lights auto dim. I will have to verify though.

It also appears that the headlight switch may require replacement. I can't seem to find any more wiring diagrams which would show me how else to trick or fool the system... yet.

UPDATE: Only in the "on" position and not in the DRL position.
 
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CactusHugr said:
So - the harness was already plugged into the "cap" where the sensor goes. I pulled out that cap, plugged in the sensor, and now my interior lights and NAV screen dim/brighten properly.
Click to expand...

That's worth the cost of the sensor right there. I'm going to check my '16 trail for the harness tonight.

Edit: Just checked and yes, the harness is there. You can order a sensor on Ebay for ~$12 straight from China.

For anyone interested the procedure to check is simple, use a flat blade screwdriver or similar to pull up the plug in the center of the dash. You don't need to access the underside of the dash at all.
 
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I popped​ out the plug, and there is no harness attached in my '14 TEP. I tried looking in through the windshield and it doesn't look like there's a harness anywhere in there.
 
I'm still waiting on the slow boat from China for the sensor. The two things I miss most (That I had on previous vehicles) on my trail are auto headlights and climate control. My 2004 GMC pickup has both, my 2004 Ford had both. If It was as simple as pulling those parts off a wrecked Limited I'd do it in a heartbeat.
 
Yeah - the one thing I miss the most from every other vehicle I've ever owned are the cloth seats. I've driven many with ventilated or air conditioned leather seats (which are amazing) but these I have now are just the worst. I broke down and bought a seat cover for mine, which matched the black/red thing pretty decently considering... and it has a fan that's loud but helps to seriously reduce the swamp ass and wet back that occurs in less than 60 seconds of driving this thing :flame: .

I also miss solid axles.

I miss headroom.

I miss properly placed steering wheel controls and a screen large enough to actually view (the Tacoma has all of this completely nailed imo but you're sitting in the worst possible position for any previously back injured human being).

I miss being able to change personal settings like "headlight delay time" and "beep once/twice" and "lock/unlock all doors" and whatever... seriously, the dealer has to do all this shit? WTF Toyota? :ybrick:

Then comes auto h/lamps and climate control.

I don't understand the way Toyota only has certain options on certain models... and they badge sub-standard equipped vehicles as "premium" and charge according to the false badge :noidea: .

Boo-hoo for me I guess :Cry: :Cry:

I'll feel better after I beat the shit out of this for a year or two, and if I don't I'm back to the Jeep world where mods are a dime a dozen, and you can mix and match to your heart's content.

Rant over... for now. At least I've had fun with emoji things.
 
CactusHugr said:
Yeah - the one thing I miss the most from every other vehicle I've ever owned are the cloth seats. I've driven many with ventilated or air conditioned leather seats (which are amazing) but these I have now are just the worst. I broke down and bought a seat cover for mine, which matched the black/red thing pretty decently considering... and it has a fan that's loud but helps to seriously reduce the swamp ass and wet back that occurs in less than 60 seconds of driving this thing :flame: .

I also miss solid axles.

I miss headroom.

I miss properly placed steering wheel controls and a screen large enough to actually view (the Tacoma has all of this completely nailed imo but you're sitting in the worst possible position for any previously back injured human being).

I miss being able to change personal settings like "headlight delay time" and "beep once/twice" and "lock/unlock all doors" and whatever... seriously, the dealer has to do all this shit? WTF Toyota? :ybrick:

Then comes auto h/lamps and climate control.

I don't understand the way Toyota only has certain options on certain models... and they badge sub-standard equipped vehicles as "premium" and charge according to the false badge :noidea: .

Boo-hoo for me I guess :Cry: :Cry:

I'll feel better after I beat the shit out of this for a year or two, and if I don't I'm back to the Jeep world where mods are a dime a dozen, and you can mix and match to your heart's content.

Rant over... for now. At least I've had fun with emoji things.
Click to expand...

Time to trade. Cheer up... that 4Runner has the best residual value of any vehicle you'll own so you will at least won't lose your shirt.
Good luck.
 
1engineer said:
Time to trade. Cheer up... that 4Runner has the best residual value of any vehicle you'll own so you will at least won't lose your shirt.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

True. It would be nice to be able to get all the capabilities of a trail and the amenities of a limited in one package though.
 
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