Map lights issue

[Stephen941]

So to begin, my wife and I have owned our T4R since new, 21 years now. T4R is now old enough to drink. It's a 2001 limited, 4X4, and we had a TRD exhaust system and supercharger installed by the dealer when it was new. It has 230K miles. Recently, the map lights stopped turning on when you open the door. They used to turn on but stopped a couple months ago. It's not the little black thingy in the door frame - note that the dome light still works when you open the door. The map lights themselves work, when you press on the switch to turn them on. So it's not the bulbs. Any thoughts on what is causing this, and how to remedy it? I miss being able to see inside the T4R when I enter at night and before I turn it on.

 

[RodrickHeffley]

So to begin, my wife and I have owned our T4R since new, 21 years now. T4R is now old enough to drink. It's a 2001 limited, 4X4, and we had a TRD exhaust system and supercharger installed by the dealer when it was new. It has 230K miles. Recently, the map lights stopped turning on when you open the door. They used to turn on but stopped a couple months ago. It's not the little black thingy in the door frame - note that the dome light still works when you open the door. The map lights themselves work, when you press on the switch to turn them on. So it's not the bulbs. Any thoughts on what is causing this, and how to remedy it? I miss being able to see inside the T4R when I enter at night and before I turn it on.

sounds like it could be either a wire or the relay. before i wrecked my 4runner i had noticed the same issue happening, sorry I can't be more help

 

[PRG3K]

I have an issue w my dome light too, but the opposite happens. Mine won't shut off when doors are closed. I put an LED in there and it dims when the doors are closed and lights up full when open. Weird. It's drawing constant power somehow. Sorry to hijack.

 

[Stephen941]

I have an issue w my dome light too, but the opposite happens. Mine won't shut off when doors are closed. I put an LED in there and it dims when the doors are closed and lights up full when open. Weird. It's drawing constant power somehow. Sorry to hijack.

That sounds worse that having no light. Maybe take out the LED and put in a regular bulb and see if it fixes it? Your post is one of the reasons I have always been hesitant to mess around with LEDs.

 

[phattyduck]

I wasn't aware they were linked. AT least on the '96-'00 they are not. Map lights only come on with the switches in those years.

Scratch that, I just checked the diagrams and the front map lights are not linked to the dome light on an '01 either. Are you 100% it ever did it?

-Charlie

 

[Malcolm99]

Thats actually not a bad idea to have the map lights turn on with the dome light, but they are not set up like that from factory. A LED in the dome light improved visibility considerably in my 99.

 

[phattyduck]

Thats actually not a bad idea to have the map lights turn on with the dome light, but they are not set up like that from factory. A LED in the dome light improved visibility considerably in my 99.

Somebody on here made a custom harness that linked them. I think it only worked for the '96-'98 years though. It is on my long-term 'would be cool' list of mods.

-Charlie

 

[shadow247]

Thats actually not a bad idea to have the map lights turn on with the dome light, but they are not set up like that from factory. A LED in the dome light improved visibility considerably in my 99.

That's what I thought. I was sitting here reading this, thinking I was taking crazy pills. I have owned 2 3rd gens, and been in a bunch. I don't ever recall the MAP lights coming on, just the Center dome light...

 

[Stephen941]

Crazy pills

Maybe I am on crazy pills! Have owned her since 2001 and I would swear under oath they always came on when I opened the door. I will have to ask my wife. Maybe I am having early Alzheimer. If so, I apologize for the post.

 

[ArthurKotb]

On my 2004 4Runner they don't
On my 1999 Sienna they do
On my son's 2006 4Runner they don't

Maybe someone with the same model year as yours will chime in here

 

[brillo_76]

I know in the pre 01 and 02 they don't turn on unless you turn them on.

I don't have a battery in my 01 sport to see if the map lights kick on with the door.

Interesting thread.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

 

[PRG3K]

That sounds worse that having no light. Maybe take out the LED and put in a regular bulb and see if it fixes it? Your post is one of the reasons I have always been hesitant to mess around with LEDs.

I did. The issue started with a regular bulb. I switched to an LED so it would draw less power if accidentally left on. Weird issue for sure.