Was fixing the key ignition button and removed the steering wheel cowling and now when I turn on the headlights the highbeams come on.When I pull back the lever to normal lights they don't come on.Don't see any loose wires.Any ideas?

 

We have no idea what year Escalate you are working on.

 

Yes, MLDave.
We know you, and we know you have a Toyota but did you upgrade? LOL!

Seriously,
Pls see signature.
AND How Headlight: Troubleshooting in sticky applies to 4Runners up to 3rd-gen US model (no DRL).

So High beams always work when selected?
Low beams never work when selected?
Hazards work?
Bulbs good?

I bet low-beam contacts are bad. the poor wiring of the headlight circuit (google "convoluted path 4crawler") caused that AND our dim lights.

 

!986 Toyota 22RE 4x4 5 speed standard cab. When I first turn the headlights on there on highbeams with the blue highbeam indicator on the dash.Pull back the lever to low beams and no headlights.Hazards work andbulbs good.

 

That's what I thought.
OK, Headlight: Troubleshooting in sticky applies to 4Runners up to 3rd-gen US model (no DRL).

Select low-beam, SHORT low beam pin of combo switch to ground. What happens?
Short low-eam pin of headlight connector to ground. What happens.

 

My friends a mechanic and has a shop here in Angels Camp,Ca.He always helps when he can.Said he'll get it going.I've anothewr headlight/turn signal unit which was the original on this truck,but I've forgotton why another friend changed it out for me.Perhaps we can use some parts off of that.

 

Cool, Dave.
It's usually just pitted contacts. You can build up the pitted spot with solder. I've done it with our 87 Prelude that I think had similar poor wiring design. After fixing the switch, use H4 conversion harness or wire in ONE relay like I did (on my thread).

 

O.K. thanks Rad and people.

 

It was red wire inside the headlight combo switch that broke off from it's solder.

 

Cool to know, Dave.
Toyota components are bullet-proof...

 

Except that Toyota didn't solder those wires. Someone has been in there post-Tokyo.

 

Scope103,there's three or four other soldered wires also,.under a small plastic cover.

 

YUP; Toyota parta are bullet-proof... problems arise from bad wiring, etc.

 

I checked the wire against a spare headlight combo switch and it's a red wire/green stripe and it also is soldered to a small piece of copper.I don't know much about any of this except what I see.

 

Yes, That connects the low beam filament to the low-beam contact of combo switch. If broken no low beam.
schematic's on Headlight troubleshooting post in stickys.

 

Yes Rad,and it's soldered.My eyes are getting fuzzy but not quite totally out of whack.Thanks to you and scope103 for the replies.Youfellows are better than some of my doctors.

 

Most welcome Dave.
Just don't make us work on Escalades. LOL!

 

Ha,ha...no Escalades for me..even if I hit the lotto.

 

You didn't happen to get any pics if them innards did ya?

 

L5wolvesf,don't have a camera anymore.