Headlights blink when using the turn signal

[Satter]

I've had this issue for a while now. When I'm driving down the road at night with the headlights on, and I use my turn signal to change lanes, almost everytime I switch the turn signal off my headlights will go off and then come back on for just a split second. It's like they almost blink. It seems my turn signal lever may be going out. Has this happened to anyone else? Is there a quick fix for this? Thanks.

 

[Singtoe]

Does it happen with the high beams on? Does it only happen with the low beams?

You are probably right with it being the head light switch.

 

[simmonsauto]

You may be able to take the combination switch out and clean the contacts but you should probably just replace it.

 

[Satter]

Does it happen with the high beams on? Does it only happen with the low beams?

You are probably right with it being the head light switch.

Well, I hardly ever drive with the high beams on. However, there have been a few times when I did drive with the high beams, and switched to low beams, and the headlights turned completely off for almost a full second. Scared the crap outta me.

 

[Tousar]

Did anyone find a "cure" for this? Was it the headlight switch? My 4runner just started doing this yesterday. At first I thought it was the Silverstar Ultras I put in two weeks ago.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

no cure. happens to mine too. gotta replace the signal lever most likely

 

[NotALimited]

This is exactly the issue on my '98 t4r as well. I found a part on eBay. Probably cheaper in a junk yard.

?96 ? ?99 Toyota 4Runner Turn Signal Headlight Dimmer Switch'99 | eBay

 

[ConstantFix]

Sounds like a bad ground. Your headlight connector can become corroded. Of the three female prongs one is the round, the other two are high and low beam. Clean them out if you see corrosion.

 

[nevada]

is there any play in the stalk?

ive seen something similar happen before, and the screws in the switch worked loose.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

I had this happen to mine. I tried to clean things up on the turn signal lever contacts and didn't have any luck. Ended up buying a used turn signal lever off the forum and it fixed the problem.