Running lights sometime on then off ??????

[Mellemel]

Been noticing recently when starting the 4runner after dark the running lights don't always come or they will do a few moments later ! Could this be a faulty ignition barrel ? Anyone had this happen ? Can someone point me to where to check for bad connections etc... Wonder if I spray WD40 in the key hole it might remedy the cause ! Mmmmmmmm. I am 375,000km something might be finally wearing out !

 

[IBallEngineer]

Been noticing recently when starting the 4runner after dark the running lights don't always come or they will do a few moments later ! Could this be a faulty ignition barrel ? Anyone had this happen ? Can someone point me to where to check for bad connections etc... Wonder if I spray WD40 in the key hole it might remedy the cause ! Mmmmmmmm. I am 375,000km something might be finally wearing out !

Why are you focusing on the ignition switch? Does the light switch work? Or do you just leave your switch on and let the combination meter turn them off?

And is there any other symptom to make you think there is a fault with the ignition switch?

For the record in 35 years of working on cars I've never seen an ignition switch cause the running lights not to work.

:couch2:

 

[Mellemel]

The twist light switch works. All lights work, I mentioned the ignition switch just assuming that when the motor starts, with the light switch in the off, the running lights usually come on. Just for the record, then, the first twist brings on the dash lights, 2nd twist brings on the headlights.
Are the running lights supposed to come on automatically then when the motor starts ? They have done for the past 2 years, just recently noticed they sometimes didn't !

 

[IBallEngineer]

The twist light switch works. All lights work, I mentioned the ignition switch just assuming that when the motor starts, with the light switch in the off, the running lights usually come on. Just for the record, then, the first twist brings on the dash lights, 2nd twist brings on the headlights.
Are the running lights supposed to come on automatically then when the motor starts ? They have done for the past 2 years, just recently noticed they sometimes didn't !

Well in the states, no they don't, you have to have the switch on. Maybe that is a Canadian spec thing?

On US spec, the running lights come on with the first position, same as the dash lights. Is that NOT happening on yours?

Maybe my east coast problem solver extraordinaire [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] knows more about the Canadian stuff.

layball:

 

[TheDurk]

Well in the states, no they don't, you have to have the switch on. Maybe that is a Canadian spec thing?

On US spec, the running lights come on with the first position, same as the dash lights. Is that NOT happening on yours?

Maybe my east coast problem solver extraordinaire [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] knows more about the Canadian stuff.

layball:

Well, I know Canada has required DRL's since before the first 3G 4Runner, so they all have DRL's. The running lights come on when the motor actually starts, NOT when the ignition key is turned. The DRL relay is energized by the alternator voltage sensing wire. So key switch is really not a suspect, as long as the truck starts. This is a battery protection thing, so that the DRL's can't drain the battery when the engine isn't running.

What year are we dealing with? I don't see it anywhere.

In any case, I'd focus on the health of your battery and charging system, its wiring and grounds. The intermittent nature of the fail makes this a beyotch to nail down, but I would start by monitoring voltage at the battery at start-up. If it takes the same amount of time to go from key-off voltage to something over 13V as it does for the DRL's to come on, that's where your problem is.

If the problem does not lie there, this is going to be a real pain to track down.

Shot in the dark: When the lights DO come on late, does that coincide with the first heavy acceleration of the motor? I'm thinking that maybe your alternator is failing to self-excite at initial low RPM's as it should, and thus not calling the DRL's.