Headlights won't turn off, what's my issue?
- Thread starter sharpe97
- Start date
Chris James
New member
1999 4Runner with 190K miles.
I started having exactly the same problem today after a VERY heavy rain. The hood was up because I've been having packrat problems (ate the wiring from the coolant sensor and canister relay...both now fixed). It was raining too hard to go close the hood. I didn't think it was a big deal. The engine has gotten wet before.
Headlights were on and wouldn't turn off unless I turned the key to accessory or started the truck. Turned the lights off. Turn off the key, close the door and the lights are back on again. High/low/flash are fine.
But it would appear that the water shorted something out. I was headed out in our other car when I discovered it and didn't have time for much troubleshooting so I just pulled the ground on the battery and I'll try and deal with it tomorrow. I'm not a big fan of coincidences so I'm sure the rain had something to do with it.
[Edit] I just checked out a couple of the other threads below and one mentioned that the issue happened after "four days of rain." I think we got four days of rain in about 45 minutes today, so I'm sure it's an H2O issue. The other thread mentioned jiggling the "headlight switch." Does that mean the stalk in the cab? Is there something under the hood aside from the fuses and relays (both well protected in their little plastic box) to jiggle?
thanks
Chris in New Mexico
Last edited:
nickbrumme
New member
Same problem here
Hey all-
I'm having what seems like the same issue with my 1998 4Runner. I don't have the auto off headlights. I have the standard SR5 V6 2WD. All original sound system and alarm system (I did turn off the alarm and remote lock though, so I only use the physical key to unlock).
The headlights work completely fine, but when it rains, they turn on. Clearly some water is getting somewhere and shorting the circuit. When it's raining, keys are not in the ignition and light switch is in the OFF position, the headlights are on. If I turn the PARKING lights on, the headlights turn off (like they should be when the parking lights are on). And of course when I turn the switch to the headlights on position, the headlights turn back on. But when I move the switch back to the OFF position, the headlights are still on. SOMETIMES going back and forth between on and off like this shuts them off. But only temporarily, and then as it rains more, jiggling the switch like this stops working and the lights are just always on. I've been functioning by taking the fuses out whenever it rains for a couple months now (doesn't rain much in LA). But every so often it starts raining while I'm sleeping and I wake up to a dead battery.
Some more info:
When I turn the car on sometimes after it's been off for awhile (raining or not raining) I hear what sounds like water draining from right where the dash meets the windshield. I'm sitting in my mechanics waiting room while I'm writing this and he says that sounds like there's something wrong with the heater core. My cold air AC definitely rarely works, though the heater seems to consistently work... I don't know if this is relevant to the lights.
One night, it was raining and I had taken the two headlight fuses out like I have learned to do. Went to get dinner and when I came back out to my car, the parking lights were intermittently flashing and I THINK I remember when they flashed, the horn also briefly beeped with it? It was probably like every 20 seconds or something it would just barely flash & beep for half a second. This only happened once (that I saw). Usually (to my knowledge) when I pull the headlight fuses out and it's raining, everything is off. To my memory it wasn't raining particularly heavy that night either...maybe just more consistently?
Pretty sure that's all the info I have related to that issue. I first noticed it happening probably 6 months ago. But it hardly rains in LA so I've lived with it. Maybe it was happening before without me knowing.
Hey all-
I'm having what seems like the same issue with my 1998 4Runner. I don't have the auto off headlights. I have the standard SR5 V6 2WD. All original sound system and alarm system (I did turn off the alarm and remote lock though, so I only use the physical key to unlock).
The headlights work completely fine, but when it rains, they turn on. Clearly some water is getting somewhere and shorting the circuit. When it's raining, keys are not in the ignition and light switch is in the OFF position, the headlights are on. If I turn the PARKING lights on, the headlights turn off (like they should be when the parking lights are on). And of course when I turn the switch to the headlights on position, the headlights turn back on. But when I move the switch back to the OFF position, the headlights are still on. SOMETIMES going back and forth between on and off like this shuts them off. But only temporarily, and then as it rains more, jiggling the switch like this stops working and the lights are just always on. I've been functioning by taking the fuses out whenever it rains for a couple months now (doesn't rain much in LA). But every so often it starts raining while I'm sleeping and I wake up to a dead battery.
Some more info:
When I turn the car on sometimes after it's been off for awhile (raining or not raining) I hear what sounds like water draining from right where the dash meets the windshield. I'm sitting in my mechanics waiting room while I'm writing this and he says that sounds like there's something wrong with the heater core. My cold air AC definitely rarely works, though the heater seems to consistently work... I don't know if this is relevant to the lights.
One night, it was raining and I had taken the two headlight fuses out like I have learned to do. Went to get dinner and when I came back out to my car, the parking lights were intermittently flashing and I THINK I remember when they flashed, the horn also briefly beeped with it? It was probably like every 20 seconds or something it would just barely flash & beep for half a second. This only happened once (that I saw). Usually (to my knowledge) when I pull the headlight fuses out and it's raining, everything is off. To my memory it wasn't raining particularly heavy that night either...maybe just more consistently?
Pretty sure that's all the info I have related to that issue. I first noticed it happening probably 6 months ago. But it hardly rains in LA so I've lived with it. Maybe it was happening before without me knowing.
Burritohead
New member
Ive had the same problem on my '96- I'm not 100% sure but I think the moisture is the key to the fix. The switch which rotates is a cap which can be pulled off. Over time the cap has loosened and if rain or snow gets on the cap it leaks into the gap....that fluid is now the connection and the headlights stay on till evaporation cures the problem. Simply remove the cap, dry the parts and viola....I think.
RoofRack
New member
Same Problem?
1999 SR5 4x4:
Most of the time when I turn the vehicle off and remove the key when the headlight switch is ON the headlights STAY ON and I can't lock the vehicle with the key fob.
Used to kill the lights with no change to the key fob locking function when I remove the key with the light switch ON.
This problem is intermittent enough that it confuses. me when it happens, but it feels like it's getting more common.
COINCIDENCE: This problem cropped up after I took out the fuel pump relay so I could depressurize the lines to change the filter.
Could I have damaged something on the fuse panel when I did this?
-M
1999 SR5 4x4:
Most of the time when I turn the vehicle off and remove the key when the headlight switch is ON the headlights STAY ON and I can't lock the vehicle with the key fob.
Used to kill the lights with no change to the key fob locking function when I remove the key with the light switch ON.
This problem is intermittent enough that it confuses. me when it happens, but it feels like it's getting more common.
COINCIDENCE: This problem cropped up after I took out the fuel pump relay so I could depressurize the lines to change the filter.
Could I have damaged something on the fuse panel when I did this?
-M
IBallEngineer
New member
Do you have DRL's? And can you clarify the problem with a statement like: Headlights won't turn off when...
But they do turn of when...
Hi Guys,
do anybody know how to disable "light auto turn off" function?
My lights works fine but have different problem, usually I left light switch on ON position.
Since I install remote starter I have to remember turn switch off b/c if I remote start truck ( with switch ON), and then remote turn of engine lights stay on and drain battery.
I don't think it's programmable feature so maybe some wire needs to be disconnected ??
do anybody know how to disable "light auto turn off" function?
My lights works fine but have different problem, usually I left light switch on ON position.
Since I install remote starter I have to remember turn switch off b/c if I remote start truck ( with switch ON), and then remote turn of engine lights stay on and drain battery.
I don't think it's programmable feature so maybe some wire needs to be disconnected ??
IBallEngineer
New member
Sorry I just saw this, helps to quote so I get a notice.
I have mega kids party to work my magic on today, and rewire a tow truck tomorrow so I won't get to this very soon. But the lights shouldn't turn off until you open the door, does that not happen?
:keyboard:
IBallEngineer
New member
It can be bypassed, but it involves removing the instrument cluster. I'll try to post a pertinent link where somebody did it. Later I'll get to that!
RoofRack
New member
JMH984runner
New member
Lights won’t turn on
First time 4Runner owner and I’m having an issue with my head lights not turning on. Worked fine the other day but had to replace the battery and now my head lights won’t turn on. My brake lights and Parking lights work just the head lights won’t turn on. I don’t know a lot about cars but I like
To try and fix things if I can and something simple enough. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
First time 4Runner owner and I’m having an issue with my head lights not turning on. Worked fine the other day but had to replace the battery and now my head lights won’t turn on. My brake lights and Parking lights work just the head lights won’t turn on. I don’t know a lot about cars but I like
To try and fix things if I can and something simple enough. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
IBallEngineer
New member
If you have access to a test light or a voltmeter you can check the fuses for the headlights, there are two. If they are good you can check to see if you have power at the headlamps. Those are the easy things to check.
JMH984runner
New member
Thanks man. If I get access to a voltmeter, what numbers or what should I be looking for when I use it?
Kryptoroxx
New member
Seems like I've come to quite the party here.
98 base 4runner here. Seems that I am having the same problem. I noticed a lot of similarities in the issues.
Headlights will stay on or turn on when the vehicle is off. I noticed water dripping on my foot, looked to see which hole it could be coming through, and plugged it with copious amounts of silicone. It seems to have stopped the h20.
If I turn the switch to parking lights then the headlights turn off. If I turn them on then lights turn on and the manual flash and brights both work. It is the low beams that stay on.
I'm thinking it's the stalk but I'd rather not drop 160 for a new one before checking some more things out. I pulled the headlight relay which seemed to be really stuck on and they immediately turned off. I plugged it back in and they stayed off with normal functionality. There was no corrosion on any of the connectors with the relay or the two headlight fuses. I will post up again if the problem returns.
I have a separate problem with my brake lights not working. The tail lamps work but pressing the brake does not activate the brighter lights. I'm going to check the trailer harness that is tied into the brake lights and see if it helps. I also need to hook up the trailer and test the brake lights to see if they work with a trailer attached.
98 base 4runner here. Seems that I am having the same problem. I noticed a lot of similarities in the issues.
Headlights will stay on or turn on when the vehicle is off. I noticed water dripping on my foot, looked to see which hole it could be coming through, and plugged it with copious amounts of silicone. It seems to have stopped the h20.
If I turn the switch to parking lights then the headlights turn off. If I turn them on then lights turn on and the manual flash and brights both work. It is the low beams that stay on.
I'm thinking it's the stalk but I'd rather not drop 160 for a new one before checking some more things out. I pulled the headlight relay which seemed to be really stuck on and they immediately turned off. I plugged it back in and they stayed off with normal functionality. There was no corrosion on any of the connectors with the relay or the two headlight fuses. I will post up again if the problem returns.
I have a separate problem with my brake lights not working. The tail lamps work but pressing the brake does not activate the brighter lights. I'm going to check the trailer harness that is tied into the brake lights and see if it helps. I also need to hook up the trailer and test the brake lights to see if they work with a trailer attached.
IBallEngineer
New member
The stalk is a rare failure. So in park lamp mode the low beams are off, but if you turn it off they turn back on?
Kryptoroxx
New member
Precisely.
I pulled the HL relay and reinserted it and everything is normal again. So far so good on the headlights. Is there any reason the relay might get stuck? I know how to wire relays for switches but beyond that my knowledge level is very dim....
Still working the brake light problem. Got a new switch and relay. Checking to see if that's the issue or not. I pulled the trailer adapter out of the equation till I get them working on pure stock wiring and then I will add it back in to see if anything happened.
Kryptoroxx
New member
Fixed everything. The fuses blew next to the post so I didn't catch it at night. .......ordered glow fuses. I hate fuses
TheDurk
Elite Member
I get tired of telling people. Don't LOOK at fuses. Use a meter, test light, or swap in new ones.
