Puddle Lights, 2021 TRD/ORP

Gentlemen: Just a quick question: When are these lights on the side mirrors supposed to come on/off ? Thanks.

 

I have an SR5P. They come on when you unlock the doors with your keys. I believe they stay on for 15 seconds.

 

Off-road premium? When you walk up to it

 

Thanks guys.

 

Only the 20's and above when you walk up to it, or the Limited trim pre 20's.

Cheers,

Sean

 

Hi again.

Hmmmm. Mine are not coming on. I even tested this in my garage when pitch black. Wonder if there is a setting ? Can't seem to locate in the manuals.

 

Correct. In my Limited, when I walk up next to the 4R (with the key fob in my pocket) the puddle light turn on (inside too).
Side note: I actually want to swap out to LEDs (the halogens are weak)

 

you're not talking about the side mirror blinkers? you're referring to the puddle lights on the bottom of the mirror?

 

The operation of the exterior puddle lights is under the Customization section of your user manual. One setting for “Time elapsed before the exterior lights turn off” and “Operation of the outer foot lights” is Off. These settings are configurable by the dealer, or yourself with the Carista app plus dongle. Maybe yours are configured to the Off setting.

 

Yes, that's correct.

 

Thanks for the help. It does seem they are in the "off" mode. I'll have this done at the dealer during the first service. Wonder if this would be a warranty type item ?

 

My ‘16 has puddles lights and cones on when unlocking and when I walk by

 

They should do it for free. If they try to charge you, decline and do it yourself. For $30 you buy the Carista OBD Adapter from Carista. Download the free app from Apple or google to your phone. You get one month of free use to customize the many features on your 4Runner. After that there’s a fee.

https://caristaapp.com/adapter

https://caristaapp.com/pricing

It works great.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Questions:
I presume you bought this 4R new and are the first owner.
-Did you ever notice these puddle lights working for you?
-Is everything still stock electrically?
-Did you replace any OEM light bulbs with LEDs, such as the door bottom footlight bulbs?

 

They never worked from day one. No changes done. Vehicle still stock. Yes, purchased new. Stopping by the dealer this afternoon. Think they are just not turned on. LOL

 

OK, that’s good. I just was thinking of a somewhat common problem when people replace the door footlight incandescents with cheap import LEDs. There’s actually no fuse in the circuit for the footlight bulbs and if an LED bulb is internally shorted when inserting it into the socket the result is a blown main body ECU unit. This can result in other erratic light bulb symptoms for mirror footlights and dome lights and others. This affects pre-2020 4Runners, I’m not sure about 2020+ models when the electrical systems were somewhat changed.
But it seems that is not your issue.

Let us know how it all works out.

 

Stopped by the dealer yesterday. With the help of the sales rep we were able to confirm that the puddle lights do indeed work. But not in the way I was expecting. With the doors locked, we then un-locked the doors. When I grabbed the door handle and opened the door, the puddle lights came on. Then the puddle lights went off shortly after closing the door. So, at least I know they do work.
Apparently, there must be some way to re-program those lights to come on when approaching the vehicle. I'll have to check one of the owners manuals again. Bit of a mystery.

 

Please don't flame me on this but, As silly as it sounds, I really wish we had one of the puddle lights that would shine a T4R or TRD or something on the ground….

I guess I’ve been spoiled with my previous vehicles… lol

 

I suspect the sales rep you talked to doesn’t know much about the features. (Not a surprise). The beauty of the exterior footlights is that they light up when you unlock the doors. Mine do manually with my key remote. Yours should with your keyless fob as you approach the vehicle. If the feature is enabled.

It’s listed on page 550 in your manual as a dealer configurable feature. You’ll probably need an appointment with service to change it. Go through the Customization section and make a list of everything you want to tweak because they will charge you for it.

Or just buy Carista and do it yourself.

 

You can do that with aftermarket lights. But test any bulbs you buy before installing. One guy on this or the other T4R forum replaced his with a faulty bulb that shorted the mirror 12V and fried the main body ECU. Refer to post #17.

 

Thanks so much for the help. I'll do a bit more testing.

 

but I haven’t even seen an option to do this, nor have I found a vendor who makes such a think for the 4Runner. My wife’s Range has a very cool puddle light:

I want something like this for our 4Runner

 

Meso makes brighter puddle lights. That’s what i use.

https://youtu.be/05DUE4Wvv3Y

 

Yes. But how cool would That light be with a T4R or TRD logo in it…. Lol

 

This is a good reason for using a generous dab of bulb grease on the puddle light bulb bases (or in the socket itself).

When I replaced my OEM puddle bulbs with LED I found a lot of water in there on the bulbs. Likely from the car wash, but there nonetheless.

 

Whoa. That’s not good. Do you think water was getting blasted down behind the windows and draining below (the bottom of door lights)? Or was that in the mirror puddle lights?

The silicone bulb grease -would- protect the contacts in that case.

 

I just wish Meso kept 4Runner parts in stock. I love the way their products work but I never find what I want in stock

 

yes most of there products are sold out. I just add my name to the mailing list and they email me once it’s a available

 

Yeah I’m talking about the little lights in the bottom of the side rear view mirrors that shine downward.