OEM Puddle Lights don't work

[3kushn]

I noticed a thread on Puddle Lights upgrade and I'm like Hmmm, never noticed my mirror lights turning on. Just did a key fob test and mine don't shine.

Is this some kind of setting or do i have to deal with my Dealer?

I'm Jones'n to do something new/simple mod and this should be easy. Except I'm thinking there's no power getting to the OEM lamps.

That problem won't be easy to solve,for me.
I'm not expert with electricity. Torque questions?.... Bring em. Need photos.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I noticed a thread on Puddle Lights upgrade and I'm like Hmmm, never noticed my mirror lights turning on. Just did a key fob test and mine don't shine.

Is this some kind of setting or do i have to deal with my Dealer?

I'm Jones'n to do something new/simple mod and this should be easy. Except I'm thinking there's no power getting to the OEM lamps.

That problem won't be easy to solve,for me.
I'm not expert with electricity. Torque questions?.... Bring em. Need photos.

What year, and trim is your 4Runner?
Bought it used and never noticed them working?
Driver and passenger side?
Do your external mirrors look like this?

 

[daytonaviolet]

Do they turn on when doors unlock ?

 

[Charlievee]

They can be turned off, via a programmer. Carista can do it, so dealer can also.

 

[fkheath]

I noticed a thread on Puddle Lights upgrade and I'm like Hmmm, never noticed my mirror lights turning on. Just did a key fob test and mine don't shine.

Is this some kind of setting or do i have to deal with my Dealer?

I'm Jones'n to do something new/simple mod and this should be easy. Except I'm thinking there's no power getting to the OEM lamps.

That problem won't be easy to solve,for me.
I'm not expert with electricity. Torque questions?.... Bring em. Need photos.

Not all trims come with puddle lights.

 

[Saker]

Not all trims come with puddle lights.

Hmmmm, I didn’t know that!

 

[3kushn]

Its a 2021 Limited, so yes the mirrors look like ElecrtoBoy's image.
Neither lamp lights up on unlock.

 

[3kushn]

Sorry guys,
They're working.
Now I'm wondering why they're even there.
My test was from my house window.
The lights basically aren't bright enough to be seen except if you put your hand 3" away from the mirror.

 

[Mark4runnar]

agree on the brightness.........I owned the 4runner since new (2014), and never noticed them until one night about a year ago - it happened to be locked in the garage.........which I never do, I had the fob in my pocket and was going to my other car and it was 100% dark in the garage, and leds in the bottom of the mirrors activated.. I was shocked..............blahahhah

 

[zcruiser]

Sorry guys,
They're working.
Now I'm wondering why they're even there.
My test was from my house window.
The lights basically aren't bright enough to be seen except if you put your hand 3" away from the mirror.

They’re intended to illuminate the ground when it’s pitch black. Mine work well for that.

Any low light situation and they really aren’t necessary anyway.

JMO

 

[oljedi11950]

Just switched my 14's to 10-13 mirrors , larger surface ! Mine was a model with no puddles (Old Red to the rescue) & of course Lasfit bulbs really light it up better than oem bulbs !

 

[fkheath]

agree on the brightness.........I owned the 4runner since new (2014), and never noticed them until one night about a year ago - it happened to be locked in the garage.........which I never do, I had the fob in my pocket and was going to my other car and it was 100% dark in the garage, and leds in the bottom of the mirrors activated.. I was shocked..............blahahhah

There are LED upgrades for the puddle lights to make them brighter, but they are really difficult to install. There is a thread here on the 4Runner forum on how to do it.

 

[ElectroBoy]

There are LED upgrades for the puddle lights to make them brighter, but they are really difficult to install. There is a thread here on the 4Runner forum on how to do it.

Not real difficult. But a little nerve-wracking the first time you take the front top trim cover off. Try that method versus the mirror pull-off method. And wait until the weather warms up or your truck is in a heated garage, so the plastic is more compliant.
Check out this thread:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3361074-post116.html

You can replace the dim incandescent bulb with a brighter LED, or get a MESO puddle light kit.
4 Runner Puddle pods
– MESO CUSTOMS LLC

If you’re talented you could cut a bigger hole and glue in the actual VLEDS diode array MESO supplies in his kit.
Puddle Lights - Shop Products