I have a 2nd gen 4runner that has two light problems. The first one is the light located right over the center console and the second one is the light located in the far back by the truck tailgate.

Once upon a time they used to work flawlessly, but now they only work certain times. Usually it's based on whether or not the car doors are open but it has settings for that (off, on, door) and they don't seem to affect it.

tl;dr -> my lights don't work when I turn them to ON, only to DOOR.

Is this a more serious wiring problem or has anyone heard of this kind of problem on 2nd gens?

 

Not terribly familiar with the 2nd gen lights, but the following applies to the 1st gens.
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/LEDs/1.html

Typically those lights have constant 12 volts to them in one wire. Then they get turned on when the other side of the light is grounded. That can either be via a wire down to the door switches (in the DOOR position) or via the ON setting of the internal switch. So probably check the continuity of that on-off-door switch and see if it is working right. Also, check that the grounding screw in the light assembly is making good metal contact.

 

Thanks for the reply 4crawler!

I'll be checking these things when I get home tonight for sure, thanks for giving me a place to start haha

 

Oxidation of the lightsocket or doorjam switch

 

Could you elaborate for me on that? I know what oxidation generally is, but does that mean if it happens to my sockets or switches that they are no good now?

EDIT: Fixed! I cleaned off the contact points and now they work like a charm. Thanks for the help fellas.