95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Low Beams out

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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 03:48 AM
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Low Beams out

Well, when you have a truck that just turned 300,000 yesterday, you can expect some quirky problems right? Thats what I am finding. My low beams stopped working. I did the obvious and changed the headlights. It didn't work. Here is the odd thing. With my headlights on and on high beam everything is fine. When I switch to low beam the lights go out but the indicator on the dash remains blue, indicating that the high beam is on.

Switch? That is my thinking now too, but how do I get the switch out? Do I need to pull the steering wheel? How? I tried to take the plastic cover off, but stopped thinking i would break it.

It is a 97 tacoma ext. cab 4x4 with V6 manual trans.
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 05:04 AM
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You have a short somewhere is my guess. Trace the low beam wires and I'll bet you find something. They may also be dry rotted and cracked. Run a test to see if the wire is broke somewhere. For both low beams to go out at the same time I would not believe it's the lights. Mike
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 05:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Beartracker
You have a short somewhere is my guess. Trace the low beam wires and I'll bet you find something. They may also be dry rotted and cracked. Run a test to see if the wire is broke somewhere. For both low beams to go out at the same time I would not believe it's the lights. Mike
I guess I should have mentioned that it started about a month ago while going from high beam to low beam sometimes they would go out, but flipping the high beam flash to pass would bring them back on. Thats why I am leaning towards the switch. That and the fact that the high beam blue light stays on when in low beam. What I am afraid of is the high beams going out next.
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 07:31 AM
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Yep, I agree. It does sound like it may be the switch. You can test it or just replace it.I don't have a clue as to the cost, sorry. Mike
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 11:30 AM
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From: Port Coquitlam, BC
This might help
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...eadlight_Combo
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by eric-the-red
Wow. Is this for a 97 generation Tacoma? That airbag cap pops right off?

This sounds like my problem to a T!
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 05:15 PM
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From: Port Coquitlam, BC
Originally Posted by Nimrod
Wow. Is this for a 97 generation Tacoma? That airbag cap pops right off?

This sounds like my problem to a T!
No, it's for an older 4Runner, but the switch might be similar.
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 04:08 PM
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Update! I pulled the steering wheel, took the switch assembly apart, cleaned all the grease and crap off the connectors, put it together and it worked! Thanks for all the help, you saved me a few hundred I am sure.

Oh yea, watch out for that little ball bearing on the end of the light switch lever. It could be easily lost.
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