headlights stuck in the on position - NOTHING else works

[UMIGHTB]

New to the site so I thank you all in advance for your help, now and in the future!

I bought a 99 4runner from a friend recently which had lightly rolled onto its side into a bank last year during a snow storm. The only significant damage done was to the right front door. The vehicle has been routinely turned over and driven at least every couple of weeks since but no body repairs were made.

It got into my hands about 2 months ago and it made the 25 mile drive to its new home without any issue. Had started it up and drove it around the property several times within the following weeks and it continued to have no issue. I opened up the front right door panel and a friend used some body working tools to basically yang the exterior panel out enough so that the window glass would roll up and seal properly.

About an hour after beating out the door I went to turn on the truck on to move it. When I turned the ignition there was a "tick - tick - tick- tick" sound and the engine did not turn. Second attempt and everything was completely dead. Replaced the battery and without the vehicle being on when the poles are connected the headlights are stuck in the on position and there is no other response when trying to turn the ignition.

The only thing I can think is that something may have been shorted or tripped when messing with the door. We really had to beat the hell out of that thing!

Is there a roll over switch or something which may not have completely engaged which was set off?? I am at a loss and trying to trouble shoot whether or not ts a simple fix before moving forward...

 

[IBallEngineer]

New to the site so I thank you all in advance for your help, now and in the future!
Replaced the battery and without the vehicle being on when the poles are connected the headlights are stuck in the on position and there is no other response when trying to turn the ignition.

The only thing I can think is that something may have been shorted or tripped when messing with the door. We really had to beat the hell out of that thing!

Is there a roll over switch or something which may not have completely engaged which was set off?? I am at a loss and trying to trouble shoot whether or not ts a simple fix before moving forward...

No rollover switch. Are the lights coming on even with the key OFF, or is the key on? If so does the vehicle have DRL's? The diagnostics are different for each one.

Either way, pull he headlight relay out, then figure out why it won't start first, or just start it.

 

[UMIGHTB]

Lights come on even without the key in

 

[IBallEngineer]

Does the vehicle have Day Time Running lights?

 

[TheDurk]

Does the vehicle have Day Time Running lights?

I'll get the popcorn and watch this one. I think 2000 was the first year all North America 4Runners got DRL's. '99 definitely only in Canada.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I'll get the popcorn and watch this one. I think 2000 was the first year all North America 4Runners got DRL's. '99 definitely only in Canada.

opcorn: <--here take mine!

 

[UMIGHTB]

Damn it! You guys are already popping popcorn. Not a good sign... There are no DRL's. Like I said with no key in, when I connect the battery the headlights are on. No response when I put the key in or try to turn it over. Also I did not mention that the only dash light on is the airbag icon.

Grab another bucket and maybe a coke.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Damn it! You guys are already popping popcorn. Not a good sign... There are no DRL's. Like I said with no key in, when I connect the battery the headlights are on. No response when I put the key in or try to turn it over. Also I did not mention that the only dash light on is the airbag icon.

Grab another bucket and maybe a coke.

No, the popcorn means we are in it for the long haul. [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] and I really enjoy solving these things. But since we are doing it by proxy, you need to do your part.

First thing is you CANT give us too much info, you are our eyes. So when I ask for clarification, PLEASE try to answer EXACTLY.

So now the problem is more than just your headlights right? Nothing from the ignition switch when you turn the key on and you NOW have a known good battery. Is this correct?

Please pull the headlight relay out, see if this at least momentarily kills the headlights. And give the main relay/Junction block a good visual inspection. Does anything look damaged or burnt?

:ranger:

 

[TheDurk]

Damn it! You guys are already popping popcorn. Not a good sign... There are no DRL's. Like I said with no key in, when I connect the battery the headlights are on. No response when I put the key in or try to turn it over. Also I did not mention that the only dash light on is the airbag icon.

Grab another bucket and maybe a coke.

[EDIT: I wrote this before I saw the post above...but I got a long phone call while I was writing it. As usual, I am on the same wavelength with my West Coast colleague.]

Sorry. It's no fun for you, but it IS fun for us. So let's get started.

First, pull the HEAD relay in the engine room fuse box. That should kill the lights. Then we will worry about those later.

Next is to check all the major fuses. These are the square plastic thingys with the plastic windows in the pic below. We are most interested in the 120A ALT, 50A J/B, 30A AM2, and 40A AM1. Some of these biggies need to be unscrewed from underneath if you have to change them. I am not a fan of visual checks of fuses but I suspect you will see one of these is burnt.

I cannot for the life of me figure out how this symptom set could be caused by messing with the door. But we will figure it out.

I guess all-DRL started in 2001. OOPS. Makes things easier. I hate that DRL circuit.

 

[sterbenlicht]

This is odd to me too. I've seen symptoms exactly like this more than once, or other times, headlights will be on constantly, but vehicle will start. While running, the block will start smoking and catch on fire or something.

Unfortunately, each time I've experience it, it's been a symptom present immediately after it got into an accident and the body shop worked on it. It always turns out they've re-pinned a connector or pinned something in the block backwards.

That doesn't look like it's going to be the case here though, so I'll be interested in seeing what has happened.

 

[UMIGHTB]

/\ Thank you sir! This is some good info to start. Please give me some time to respond. I am honestly playing middle man because my truck is parked 30 minutes awayat my buddies spot who has a shop (and WAY too many projects to juggle) so I will relay this info to him and make some time to get out there next weekend. I really appreciate the help and support so far!

The only forum I have ever been involved in was bmxmuseum.com (old school bmx stuff) and I have really enjoyed the experience. Looking forward to meeting a new crowd!

 

[IBallEngineer]

This is odd to me too. I've seen symptoms exactly like this more than once, or other times, headlights will be on constantly, but vehicle will start. While running, the block will start smoking and catch on fire or something.

Unfortunately, each time I've experience it, it's been a symptom present immediately after it got into an accident and the body shop worked on it. It always turns out they've re-pinned a connector or pinned something in the block backwards.

That doesn't look like it's going to be the case here though, so I'll be interested in seeing what has happened.

As a former body shop owner, that hurts. But the truth frequently does. I realize most shops don't have someone like me there to prevent that.

:art:

 

[sterbenlicht]

Haha, nothing meant to offend. In all honesty, knowing what kind of damage was fixed in the repairs is impressive enough to not hold a grudge for putting a pin in backwards.

And truth be told, they do a hell of a lot better job with their electrical work than any of us would with our body work!

 

[CdaleR4000si]

/\ Thank you sir! This is some good info to start. Please give me some time to respond. I am honestly playing middle man because my truck is parked 30 minutes awayat my buddies spot who has a shop (and WAY too many projects to juggle) so I will relay this info to him and make some time to get out there next weekend. I really appreciate the help and support so far!

The only forum I have ever been involved in was bmxmuseum.com (old school bmx stuff) and I have really enjoyed the experience. Looking forward to meeting a new crowd!

That's cool, I used to spend quite a bit of time over at bmxmuseum, as well as vintagebmx and bmxsociety.
Anyway, this is a really great forum, you will be amazed at how much you will learn about your 4Runner. There are some really cool members over here.