My wife's 1999 4runner (the sr5 in my sig) doesn't appear to be shutting off the headlights automatically when she shuts off the truck. The problem appears to be sporatic, but I've had to jump off her truck a couple times when the battery ran low. I'm not sure if she's maybe doing something strange with the light controls after she pulls out the key, or what, but on the assumption that it's an electrical issue, can someone suggest the likely culprits I should check? My first thought was a bad door switch, but I haven't really gotten into the electical side of things yet (I want to learn, though).

 

I have a 1998 4runner and mine have never turned off automatically. I dont know if its a 1999 upgrade but i guess youll just have to start remebering to turn them off

I have the same problem ive had to be jumped a couple of times

 

on some rare occasions this has been a problem within the stalk switch itself.

Yes it was a 99 upgrade.

 

I know this is off topic, but has anybody done a retro fit onto and earlier model, say 96? I would love this feature and didn't know it existed in 3rd gens until this post. Again, sorry for going off topic.

 

any new news on this pendrag? Just curious...

 

I'm sorry - I just saw your reply. I think the driver's side front door switch was a little sticky. I swapped out the driver's side front and rear door switches (we rarely use the rear door). I'm going to replace the suspect switch later on, provided the problem doesn't pop back up.

 

no worries pendrag but I am not following the logic-are you saying the headlight situation is related to the door switch?

Not questioning your interpretation-I have no idea -it just does not seem related to me...

 

I'm thinking that perhaps the courtesy lights or headlights were sporadically getting left on, because the switch was sticking, and not telling the car that the door had opened.

I'm not 100% sure that's the case. For all I know, my wife's just distractedly turning one of the lights to 'on' and walking off. She sometimes doesn't pay all that much attention to her truck, leaving it unlocked, that sort of thing. She's a smart woman, but she does have a few blind spots in her day-to-day, particularly if she's focussed on something else (like work).

 

okay I see your train of thought there. But I was under the impression it was all ignition switch related, but not sure why the more I think about it. My friend with the 01 Limited is similarly distracted. She just leaves her headlights on all the time, and was unaware her vehicle even had Daytime Running Lights. Likewise she was unaware how to control the dome lights -short of shutting the doors or the rear cargo hatch- and running the battery down...