I came across a document from Toyota on testing the sensor with a multi-meter. I'll try to find it and post a link.
My $5 mod in 5 mins.
- Thread starter tjnptel1
- Start date
I came across a document from Toyota on testing the sensor with a multi-meter. I'll try to find it and post a link.
Found it.
If you need to check if your sensor is performing as expected, follow the procedure in this document:
Toyota 4Runner: Light Sensor Circuit Malfunction (B1244) - Lighting System - Service Manual
If you need to check if your sensor is performing as expected, follow the procedure in this document:
Toyota 4Runner: Light Sensor Circuit Malfunction (B1244) - Lighting System - Service Manual
2020:ORP Works great!
Bought the 89121-30020 sensor on eBay. I made on offer and knocked off $6 and he took it. Paid $68.99, free shipping. I have a 2020 ORP. Wire was pretty short, so I tied a shoelace to it before I released the dummy sensor. New sensor plugged right in. Tested and works great before I pushed sensor back in the hole. Love the results. Much better to see when lights are on during the day for bad weather. Thanks to all for the info. Mike
Bought the 89121-30020 sensor on eBay. I made on offer and knocked off $6 and he took it. Paid $68.99, free shipping. I have a 2020 ORP. Wire was pretty short, so I tied a shoelace to it before I released the dummy sensor. New sensor plugged right in. Tested and works great before I pushed sensor back in the hole. Love the results. Much better to see when lights are on during the day for bad weather. Thanks to all for the info. Mike
2020 TRD Off Road Premium. This mod does NOT work. The wiring harness in the 2020 is attached to a blank which easily pops out, but the connector is a 4 pin connector. The sensor that I received has 6 pins.
After popping out the blank, already visually different from photos posted in this thread.
Sensor, part # 89121-50020
The wiring connector to the dash
Oh well not much wasted on a $5 part. Everything snapped back in quicker than it came out.
Calling 2 dealers with a PRO Vin
The 2020 part
Ambient light sensor
New number 89121-0E060
89121-30020 succeeds to this new number
2020 sources
I would not buy from the dealer as it seems to run around $130. Search eBay for the old number, not 4Runner. These are a common Lexus part and seem to go for about half of the dealer price for a new one. It took 3 days, over a weekend, to arrive, I took my time, was very careful and it probably took 7 minutes to install and test.
I did a ski trip to Whistler, BC in January and had snow in Vancouver. I had my headlights on in daylight due to the road conditions. It was very hard to see my GPS due to it was too dim. This mod fixes that....
I would not buy from the dealer as it seems to run around $130. Search eBay for the old number, not 4Runner. These are a common Lexus part and seem to go for about half of the dealer price for a new one. It took 3 days, over a weekend, to arrive, I took my time, was very careful and it probably took 7 minutes to install and test.
I did a ski trip to Whistler, BC in January and had snow in Vancouver. I had my headlights on in daylight due to the road conditions. It was very hard to see my GPS due to it was too dim. This mod fixes that....
You also could have simply reached over w/ your left hand, at any time, and rotated the dash light dimmer switch until it ‘clicks’ at the brightest setting...
I also have a 2020 SR5 Premium and it's great to know that this mod will actually work on it. I just wish the price wasn't so steep.
Yeah, it sucks that it isn't $5. But I leave my headlights on all the time so it was worth it. Adjusting the dial every time was a real PITA. Made an offer on ebay for $65 shipped and the guy accepted it.
I just installed the light sensor in my 2020 TRD ORP and so far so good.
I did have a question:
The old sensor had only two wires and the new one has four. Is there any chance it has four to potentially control the auto on/off headlight function?
Here is the link to the one I purchased.
Colt
I did have a question:
The old sensor had only two wires and the new one has four. Is there any chance it has four to potentially control the auto on/off headlight function?
Here is the link to the one I purchased.
Colt
LakeRunr
Member
This is exactly the situation in my 2018 SR5. F9 connector is missing wires in positions 20-22. I'll have to get my eyes on the FG1 connector to see how I want to handle this.
A simple solution for adding the terminals is to fold over the end of a new solid wire (opposed to stranded). The folded end supposedly locks into the connector cavity similar to a terminal. I wouldn’t consider this a permanent solution, but perhaps is sufficient to prove that you bcm will react to the sensor as expected.
The iDatalink t-harness is the only “proper” solution I know of.
LakeRunr
Member
The folded wire thing is a kludge. Never gonna happen in one of my vehicles.
I've already ordered the iDatalink t-harness from Best Buy. Thanks for the tip on that! And it seems that I already have the wires to the light sensor itself, but I haven't looked for the FG1 connector yet. My guess is that it's a dead end. I'll probably just end up tapping into the light sensor's wire harness (between the sensor and FG1) and running a jumper over to the new T-harness.
I wonder if 89121-12010 will fit 2020 ORP. It has 3 pins and my ORP has 3 wires just like pictured.
Pictures here
Attachments
LakeRunr
Member
Well, this is odd. The F9 connector lacks the tiny 5-digit number that (up until now I thought) every Toyota connector has on it. I checked mine this past weekend. So no joy on the terminals
hwell:
pableaux
New member
Haven't seen a successful SR5 yet.
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