1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

How To Turn Off Auto Headlights

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by NotACarGuy, Oct 17, 2022.

  1. Oct 17, 2022 at 2:22 PM
    #1
    NotACarGuy

    NotACarGuy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2022
    Member:
    #29127
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    I own a 2022 Trail Edition. How do I disable auto headlights completely?

    This is a problem for me when I camp in the car and had to adjust the windows in the middle of the night. Turn on key ignition and the lights had to be on by default even when it's set to OFF. The AUTO mode isn't even on the stalk anymore.

    Best I can get is to set the lights to turn off immediately as I open the door so it doesn't stay on for another minute after I lock it. Such an annoying feature.
     
  2. Oct 17, 2022 at 2:31 PM
    #2
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2019
    Member:
    #10510
    Messages:
    2,324
    Gender:
    Male
    Austin Texas
    Vehicle:
    2019 trd pro voodoo
    I wonder if you can change it with a Carista device
     
  3. Oct 17, 2022 at 2:34 PM
    #3
    Thepremier141

    Thepremier141 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2020
    Member:
    #12645
    Messages:
    424
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    ‘22 SR5P
    I thought none of the models aside from limited had auto-headlights? auto hi-beams, yes...... If it's not on the stalk, you don't have auto headlights.
     
  4. Oct 17, 2022 at 2:59 PM
    #4
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon H9 halogen is the best led bulb

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Member:
    #15450
    Messages:
    1,013
    Snowland
    Vehicle:
    ‘22 Tesla Model Y
    keep it on off and thats about it
    i have the same issue camping
     
    kmeeg likes this.
  5. Oct 17, 2022 at 3:19 PM
    #5
    kmeeg

    kmeeg New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Member:
    #5853
    Messages:
    5,211
    Gender:
    Male
    yep, keep it off

    images_83a885ae0c0fbd822e26f149f0fa98befd9af00a.jpg
    images_1460da04b210b8f42125ccafde9716620b6c21ed.jpg
     
    semprenissart likes this.
  6. Oct 17, 2022 at 4:05 PM
    #6
    NotACarGuy

    NotACarGuy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2022
    Member:
    #29127
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    There is no AUTO / DRL mode on the stalk. There's just ON or OFF.
    I have the headlights set to OFF since day 1 and never ever turned it on for anything. The hidden auto feature turns it on when I drive at night.

    Should probably mention that I am in Canada and perhaps the factory settings a slightly different.
     
    Thepremier141 likes this.
  7. Oct 17, 2022 at 4:09 PM
    #7
    Thepremier141

    Thepremier141 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2020
    Member:
    #12645
    Messages:
    424
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    ‘22 SR5P
    Ahhh, the Canada factor. That explains it, different features.
    Also I do not know an answer for you.
     
  8. Oct 17, 2022 at 4:12 PM
    #8
    NotACarGuy

    NotACarGuy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2022
    Member:
    #29127
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    I mean a brick would do the trick. Maybe in 20 years I'd give that a shot.
     
    Thepremier141 likes this.
  9. Oct 17, 2022 at 4:17 PM
    #9
    kmeeg

    kmeeg New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Member:
    #5853
    Messages:
    5,211
    Gender:
    Male
    headlights set to OFF since day 1, hidden auto feature turns it on?
    upload_2022-10-17_17-15-57.jpg
     
  10. Oct 17, 2022 at 4:38 PM
    #10
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    2,002
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    If you got the headlight schematics for the Canadian version of your model year 4Runner, and you could find the control line from the Main Body ECU to the relay that supplies power to the headlights, you could put a switch inline to interrupt it.

    It’s not elegant, and you have to be confident in your abilities to do this electrical work, but that’s one solution.
     
  11. Oct 18, 2022 at 8:05 AM
    #11
    Brodie

    Brodie New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2021
    Member:
    #20291
    Messages:
    54
    Gender:
    Male
    Richmond, Va
    Vehicle:
    2021 Grey 4Runner SR5
    I have a 2021 SR5 and there are some light settings on the center console. Here's how to get to them:

    Press Menu button
    Press Setting
    Scroll by pushing the down arrow on screen to Vehicle
    Press Vehicle Customization
    Press Light Settings
    You can turn Daytime running lights off here. You also can control how long the Headlights stay on after shutting car off.

    Don't know if this will help or not but it is kind of hidden.
     
    Jedi5150, Austin26 and Too Stroked like this.
  12. Oct 18, 2022 at 8:54 AM
    #12
    joshdub

    joshdub New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2020
    Member:
    #16386
    Messages:
    443
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP
    $10 says op thinks his Canadian DRLs are his low beams
     
  13. Oct 18, 2022 at 12:23 PM
    #13
    Didz

    Didz New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2021
    Member:
    #20618
    Messages:
    36
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 AG pro
    Could be.

    In Canada on the stalk there is an Auto mode and an Off position. What we do not have on the stalk is the DRL off. But if you put the parking brake on the DRL should turn off.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2022
  14. Oct 18, 2022 at 4:10 PM
    #14
    Redwood

    Redwood New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2021
    Member:
    #23750
    Messages:
    241
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2022 4Runner TRD Off Road
    Agreed my Canadian ORP does not have a DRL off position on the stalk as in Canada DRL lights are mandatory.
     
  15. Oct 18, 2022 at 4:22 PM
    #15
    kmeeg

    kmeeg New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Member:
    #5853
    Messages:
    5,211
    Gender:
    Male
    Will someone with Raptor style grill lights be ok in Canada if anyone do something else with DRL?
    (No this is not a joke question :D)
     
  16. Oct 19, 2022 at 8:49 AM
    #16
    ShakyDog

    ShakyDog New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2021
    Member:
    #20059
    Messages:
    66
    First Name:
    Steve
    Vehicle:
    2021 4R TRD ORP Nautical Blue
    Does the parking brake work like the American DRLs? Off when parking break is on and on when brake is off?

    Steve
     
    Captain Spalding likes this.
  17. Oct 19, 2022 at 9:32 AM
    #17
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2021
    Member:
    #23370
    Messages:
    477
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 SR5 Premium
    Correct, but this disables the Daytime Running Lights, not the Automatic Headlight feature.
     
  18. Oct 19, 2022 at 10:10 AM
    #18
    jmkulbeth

    jmkulbeth Have you tried turning it off and on again?

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    Member:
    #16511
    Messages:
    103
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeffrey (KE5HDB)
    Siloam Springs, AR
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Offroad Premium, Nautical Blue
    Bone stock!
    With the DRLs switch set to on: when I turn on the ignition and the parking brake is set the DRLs are off. Then when I release the parking brake the DRLs turn on and stay on even if I depress the parking brake again. The process resets when I kill the ignition.
     
    2Toys likes this.
  19. Oct 19, 2022 at 5:41 PM
    #19
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #15337
    Messages:
    1,672
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gordon
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRDORP
    This is correct.
     
  20. Oct 19, 2022 at 6:27 PM
    #20
    playdixie

    playdixie Missi'ppi Fella

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2022
    Member:
    #26734
    Messages:
    540
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Missi'ppi
    Vehicle:
    2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium
    I believe there is a light sensor in the middle part of the dash (near the windshield -- looks like a small round peg). You may be able to use a plastic trim tool to pop it out and disconnect the sensor. But my 21 does not have an auto feature.

    OR like my 16 Tacoma I had (assuming it has auto headlights like my 16 did), you pop off the passenger side grab handle, remove the plastic cover off the speaker and the light sensor was in the speaker. Again, disconnect it, put the trim piece back in place, and replace the grab handle.

    This vid may help explain it's location:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozlauIjifeo
     
  21. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:43 PM
    #21
    vancouver 4runner

    vancouver 4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2023
    Member:
    #31148
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    to ELECTRO BOY OR ANYONE IN THE KNOW

    If you got the headlight schematics for the Canadian version of your model year 4Runner, and you could find the control line from the Main Body ECU to the relay that supplies power to the headlights, you could put a switch inline to interrupt it.

    any idea where to get one

    2022 4runner
    this is Canada
    our headlight switch is on or running or auto / nothing else
    so if you are waiting in a lineup on a dark winter night with engine running you can't turn the lights off / no capability
    so your idea sounds great
    or a sensor idea

    thank you
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2023
  22. Feb 9, 2023 at 2:20 PM
    #22
    Sandbuster

    Sandbuster Breaking Wind

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19157
    Messages:
    696
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Central Florida
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD Offroad
    Power Commander, LED lights upgrade, Eibach Pro Truck Series suspension upgrade (front & rear), Airbags (rear), dash integrated trailer brake control, Body Armor front bumper, Smittybilt 10K winch
    Maybe try what Playdixie suggested - easy fix if that's it.. and then there is this from Electroboy: This won't cure your initial concern but it may solve your issue with lights coming on while camping at night in your 4runner. I did this mod (as have many others) and it is great for not having to reach over, turn the ignition on then adjust your rear liftgate glass. Check it out..
     
    2Toys likes this.
  23. Feb 10, 2023 at 6:29 AM
    #23
    vancouver 4runner

    vancouver 4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2023
    Member:
    #31148
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    thanks Sandbuster
     
  24. Feb 10, 2023 at 7:59 AM
    #24
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    2,002
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    For wiring diagrams go to the online Toyota Technical Information System (TIS) website. Select your vehicle, model year, etc, and see if there’s a Canadian specific version. There are various subscription rates for access from 2 days to a year.
    https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInf..._request_url=https://techinfo.toyota.com:443/

    You can download the files for various systems you need to your computer.
     
    LuLu likes this.
  25. Feb 10, 2023 at 8:13 AM
    #25
    LuLu

    LuLu New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2022
    Member:
    #26229
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    Utopia
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRD Sport
    OEM Crossbars OEM Hood Deflectors OEM Running Boards Tints
    Great site. @ElectroBoy

    Even shows latest recalls and TSBs.

    Non available for T4R 2022/2023.

    Don't be fooled by third party websites.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2023
    ElectroBoy[QUOTED] likes this.
  26. Feb 10, 2023 at 8:14 AM
    #26
    vancouver 4runner

    vancouver 4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2023
    Member:
    #31148
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    ELECTRO BOY
    Great information
    thank you
     
  27. Feb 10, 2023 at 8:18 AM
    #27
    LuLu

    LuLu New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2022
    Member:
    #26229
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    Utopia
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRD Sport
    OEM Crossbars OEM Hood Deflectors OEM Running Boards Tints
    ===================

    Dash Sensor - 891210E060

    The Dash Light Sensors Mod doesn't seem to apply to T4R 2022/2023.
    Provided my VIN to Toyota parts.
    Got this response.
    2022 TRD Sports

    "According to the vin number provided, this part is not applicable to the vehicle"
     
  28. Feb 15, 2023 at 9:53 AM
    #28
    vancouver 4runner

    vancouver 4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2023
    Member:
    #31148
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    2022 4Runner TRD Off Road / Canadian Version

    I removed the dash light sensor (butchered it unfortunately - but that is fine)
    and:
    now everything is perfect for me
    the headlight setting works the headlights and running lights
    the running light setting works the running lights
    and the best
    the auto headlight setting does nothing so it is now my off switch for lights / perfection !!!!!
    no more "lights on" when the engine is running in the dark
    now great for ferry lineups etc ...........

    thanks to everyone !!!!!!
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2023
    Keith E., playdixie and ElectroBoy like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top