headlights won't turn off?? HELP

[Scag]

This morning when I arrived at work I was told my lights were on on my 98 limited. I thought it was weird because I never really leave them on. When I opened the door and went to turn them off, the switch was already off. NOT GOOD! So i played with them for a little bit and finally they went off. I talked to a mechanic at my dealership (not a toyota dealership) and he said the multi-function switch was probably going bad.

About half an hour later, I look back at the truck and the lights are on again. Called toyota to see how much a multifunction switch is and they quoted me $330 after tax WITH my discount for working at a dealership. Plus any kind of labor that I spend having this fixed. They said there is a switch available for just the headlights, but it is very hard to install vs. doing the whole assembly. The switch for just the headlights is only $100 cheaper.

Does anyone have any idea whats going on? I know its hard to say without looking at it, but I was hoping someone could confirm our thoughts that this is the multifunction switch problem or maybe something else.

Thanks in advance! By the way, this is the first problem I've ever had with the truck. I'm the 3rd owner and its got 152,000 on it...runs like a top!

 

[Ron Helmuth]

that does seem quite odd

That is an odd situation. Welcome to our forum scag (always wanted to say that-had to jump on that one)

I wonder if perhaps there is a fuse that can be pulled? so that you can have more time at your leisure to get this fixed and diagnosed properly without draining your battery constantly.

When you say you play with the lights to get them to go off- I believe you are confirming their diagnosis-you manipulate the switch by 'jiggling' it just so and it finally engages the off position? does that seem logical?

You can find the switch cheaper and then perhaps your dealership would match the price....or would install the piece you bring them....Not sure you would want to go through all this for a used switch but I bet they would not be all that hard to find...Never really heard of this switch being "fixable" but maybe even that is possible.

We can certainly help you find the exact part for a better price-I can't help you install it but perhaps someone else can assist with that or you have those skills maybe? Maybe a senior tech at your dealership would be able to take this on with proper instructions...

the possibilites are endless as long as your battery is not getting drained each day.

Sorry to get long in the wind-this is my brain Bacardized::dancin:

 

[benormous]

I'm not sure if its the same part, but trdparts4u.com quoted the headlight switch stalk for about $66. The part number was 84724-35020

 

[Scag]

The for the help guys

As of now, the lights have not come back on by themselves. That in it self kind of worries me. At the same time, i'm not really in the position to take the time or the money to really diagnos this problem. I shopped around a little bit and found the multifunction switch at napa for $156. I realize I can probably find this a lot cheaper used, or from an online vendor like you suggested, but my worries are returning the darn thing if it turns up not being the part I need.

Napa will deliver the part to me on Saturday and I have a tech here at the dealership that used to work at an all toyota shop. He's done my tbelt/waterpump and some other stuff and really knows what he's doing.....I hope he can spot the problem. Napa said, just keep the receipt and I can return the part no problems....even if I install it and remove it.

I will keep you guys updated. Thanks again. And let me know if you come across any other ideas...i'll be looking as well.

 

[benormous]

I understand your concern about being able to return it. But just for reference, trdparts4u is run by a Toyota dealership and is very reputable. Good luck, I hope the switch is the source of the problem. The worst thing is not knowing what is causing a problem.

 

[Scag]

I know I'm reviving a really old post, but I realized I hadn't responded and I don't frequent this board too often. Anyhow, I just wanted to say that the problem only happened a couple times the day I posted and it never happened again.

I just jiggled the headlight switch assembly back and forth until they went off. I did notice that we had receieved like 4 days straight of rain and it was very humid. I also have a very tiny leak in my windshield in the top driverside part. I am wondering if a drop got on the switch or something. So if this happens to anyone else, try jiggling it till it goes off