96 4runner headlight issue

campkey · 11-22-2009, 08:55 AM

I have a problem on my 1996 SR5 4Runner, where the headlights won't shut off after a battery jump. My driver side door sensor has been broken for some 100k miles so i've had a jump or two in my day. Today being one of those days, i jumped my car and got it started. when it was idling the headlights stayed on even when the switch was off, but it was just the headlights, not the tail lights.

When i drove the mile to my mechanic to have him take a quick look at the issue, guess what, the lights turned off. and we couldn't get the problem to repeat. So i returned home and a half hour later looked outside and saw the front lights had turned on again.

i have the fuses pulled so the car will start tomorrow hopefully.

I had just put a new battery in the truck last week. I also told a buddy that i was approaching 220k miles headed to 300k. jinx.

any thoughts?

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

98runner210 · 11-22-2009, 08:23 PM

somebody else had the same problem, i advise a search. And BTW it means you have a faulty headlight relay. Next time they get stuck on, tap the relay and they will shut off. Pretty said your mechainc didn't know this.

campkey · 11-22-2009, 09:40 PM

Thanks for the reply 98. I did do a search and didn't come up with a definative answer to the problem. I have kept the headlight fuses out for the last few days and hope to do some testing with the lights over the next few days before i bring my truck back into the mechanic on wednesday.

I will definately have him look at the relay switch. Any thoughts on how a new battery could have impacted this problem? bad battery? bad connections?

98runner210 · 11-23-2009, 08:37 AM

maybe just a coincidence. try the relay before u take it back

hairbear65 · 12-04-2009, 07:57 PM

I'm having the same issue on my wifes 97'. The headlights will come at and kill the battery overnight sometimes. I've taken apart the column switch...swapped the headlight relay a few times with known good relays. I thought I had this solved for at least the last year...yesterday she calls me at work..tells me it's dead again. It was raining out that night...I'm sure the moisture is helping this somehow...always seems to happen when it's wet out.
So i swap the battery and drive it to work...(gave her mine)...I pulled the relay while at work...come out after work...install the relay and the headlights DID NOT come on...and have been off since. Its got to have a short somewhere in the system and I'd have to assume it somewhere under the hood and not inside the trucks dash.

I'll let you know if I find anything....

Tom

hairbear65 · 12-04-2009, 08:30 PM

Oh forgot...I installed a new headlight switch from the stealer as well and it still had the same problem...so I pulled the switch and returned it....

So where does thatleave me???....Looking for that needle in the haystack wire short!!!

T

campkey · 12-08-2009, 07:15 AM

To follow up on my post from a few weeks ago... The issue with my lights staying on seems to have fixed itself. My problem also coincided with rain so there may be an electrical short somewhere in the works.

Can anyone explain to me where i can find the headlight relay, so i can "hit it" next time this problem occurs?

Retrop · 01-24-2010, 10:03 AM

I am having the same problem with my 1998 4runner the headlights wont shut off. I pulled the headlight relay out of the fuse box in the engine compartment so my battery wont die... Since it is only the headlights and not dash lights and tailights I was thinking it might be something to do with drl??? But I don't have the relay by the battery to unplug. Any help would be great!

11-22-2009, 08:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
98runner210 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 818	somebody else had the same problem, i advise a search. And BTW it means you have a faulty headlight relay. Next time they get stuck on, tap the relay and they will shut off. Pretty said your mechainc didn't know this. __________________ '98 4Runner Limited White w/ silver flares

11-23-2009, 08:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
98runner210 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 818	maybe just a coincidence. try the relay before u take it back __________________ '98 4Runner Limited White w/ silver flares

12-08-2009, 07:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
campkey Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4	Self Resolved Issue To follow up on my post from a few weeks ago... The issue with my lights staying on seems to have fixed itself. My problem also coincided with rain so there may be an electrical short somewhere in the works. Can anyone explain to me where i can find the headlight relay, so i can "hit it" next time this problem occurs?

01-24-2010, 10:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
Retrop Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 12	1998 4runner daytime running lights wont shut off I am having the same problem with my 1998 4runner the headlights wont shut off. I pulled the headlight relay out of the fuse box in the engine compartment so my battery wont die... Since it is only the headlights and not dash lights and tailights I was thinking it might be something to do with drl??? But I don't have the relay by the battery to unplug. Any help would be great! __________________ 1995 T100 Ext. Cab 4X4 3.4L Auto 180K 1998 4Runner SR5 4X4 3.4L Auto 171K

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-22-2009, 09:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
campkey Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks for the reply 98. I did do a search and didn't come up with a definative answer to the problem. I have kept the headlight fuses out for the last few days and hope to do some testing with the lights over the next few days before i bring my truck back into the mechanic on wednesday. I will definately have him look at the relay switch. Any thoughts on how a new battery could have impacted this problem? bad battery? bad connections?

12-04-2009, 07:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
hairbear65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 16	I'm having the same issue on my wifes 97'. The headlights will come at and kill the battery overnight sometimes. I've taken apart the column switch...swapped the headlight relay a few times with known good relays. I thought I had this solved for at least the last year...yesterday she calls me at work..tells me it's dead again. It was raining out that night...I'm sure the moisture is helping this somehow...always seems to happen when it's wet out. So i swap the battery and drive it to work...(gave her mine)...I pulled the relay while at work...come out after work...install the relay and the headlights DID NOT come on...and have been off since. Its got to have a short somewhere in the system and I'd have to assume it somewhere under the hood and not inside the trucks dash. I'll let you know if I find anything.... Tom

12-04-2009, 08:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
hairbear65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 16	Oh forgot...I installed a new headlight switch from the stealer as well and it still had the same problem...so I pulled the switch and returned it.... So where does thatleave me???....Looking for that needle in the haystack wire short!!! T