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Park lights coming on by themselves, and won't turn off - 2009

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by iroc409, Sep 19, 2010.

  1. Sep 19, 2010 at 5:19 PM
    #1
    iroc409

    iroc409 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    A red one
    I had my truck, a 2009 access cab v6, into the dealer on Friday for some various services. Firstly, to get denied the steering column fix, and second for the recall (and tire rotation/etc). The computer was reflashed for the logic upgrade during the visit, so maybe that has something to do with the problem. The truck hasn't been driven since then (until today), and I was in the garage last night and did not notice the lights being on. My girlfriend went out to the garage this afternoon, and came back in and said my lights were on. Curious, I went out to investigate. The park lights were all on, along with the gauge lights and so forth. I unlocked the truck, and checked the headlight switch--off. I turned the lights on and off a couple times, but the park lights would not turn off at all. I started the truck, cycled the light switch, shut the truck off and tried again, and no luck.

    So, after a few minutes talking about it (and the lights still on), I decided I would take it out driving to charge up the battery, disconnect the battery, and take it to Toyota in the morning. I started it up, and pulled out of the garage. Our garage doors are not powered so I got out to close it. The lights on the truck were completely off. I stood there looking at the tail light scratching my head, and the park lights turned on. Nobody was in the truck, and the switch was off.

    I took it out for a drive, and the lights went back to normal (as in, they turn off when told to do so). So far, it is behaving but I am going to check on it every couple of hours to see if they come back on.

    Has anyone heard of this? Any ideas?

    This is probably unrelated, but I am also have radio issues again (replaced once). The radio now sometimes turns on or off by itself.
     
  2. Sep 19, 2010 at 5:37 PM
    #2
    Rufus

    Rufus Well-Known Member

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    OEM Truck Bed Extender, Window Tint, Tailgate Security Mod, OEM Spare Tire Lock, Cam Locks (storage compartments), OEM Bed Mat, OEM Skid Plate, Stant 11504 Locking Gas Cap, TW Edrin55 OEM Running Boards, Pop & Lock w/Back-Up Cam, Black WeatherTechs, Red Line Quick Lift Plus Hood Struts, Wet Okole Front Seat Covers-black/charcoal with red & white TRD graphic & back seat pockets, DIY Satoshi Grillcraft & Old School Toyota Badge, TW ZonKs Black UWS Low Pro Truck Box, Rear Suspension TSB, 3M Scotch Guard Paint & Headlight Protection Film 8mm Urethane, Flyzeye V2 Wired Amber/White/Amber Interior LED Lights w/Silver Case, Sleek Looking Black LED Tail Lights from K2 Motors (Identical to OEM, but black).
    It's possessed. Time for an exorcism. Pray that it doesn't take you & your girlfriend over.
     
  3. Sep 19, 2010 at 6:32 PM
    #3
    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

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    Western New York
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    Rear Spring TSB,Billy 5100@.85,Bull bar,Nerfbar,Painted Grill,Painted Rims,Bed D-rings,Compustar Starter,Goodyear Duratrac's,Transmission TSB,Brake Overide
    logical trouble shooting:
    was this a problem before you took it to the dealer??
    if the answer was no,
    go back to the dealer and find out exactly
    what was done to the truck, everything.
    they may have pinched a wire or something.
    the lights are grounded, so they are getting power from somewhere
     
  4. Sep 19, 2010 at 6:46 PM
    #4
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Central Coast, CA
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    06 4x4 Off Road Access Cab v6 6spd
    LEER Shell with dome lights operated with 3 way switches, aux backup lights with relay and 3 position switch, modified wiring to compass/temp display and clock to include switch that disables dimming function (poor man's DRL solution), Scan Gauge 2
    We had a guy on here awhile back that had his headlights stick on high beam. He tapped the appropriate relay under the hood and that unstuck them. You might find out where the parking light relay is and tap it if you have the issue again. Would be nice if the dealer could fix it, but sometimes that's an uphill battle and you have to get involved.
     
  5. Sep 19, 2010 at 6:47 PM
    #5
    iroc409

    iroc409 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    To my knowledge, this has not happened prior to visiting the dealer--a brand new "feature". I'll take it back to the dealer and see what happened. I have a set of Lightforce 240's on the front that I know people in the shop were gawking at, but I can't imagine they would have caused it, but the switch was on when I got the truck back (it's hooked to ignition on or hi beams). The lights have been on the truck for over a year, so I can't think that is related.
     
  6. Sep 19, 2010 at 6:50 PM
    #6
    iroc409

    iroc409 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's a pretty good idea, and something I will check into. The only thing is, they came on by themselves after being turned off (I watched). Is there something that could provide power that the relay normally cuts (aside from direct to battery) that may have failed?

    I guess I might have to consult the FSM for that...
     
  7. Sep 19, 2010 at 6:55 PM
    #7
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Central Coast, CA
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    06 4x4 Off Road Access Cab v6 6spd
    LEER Shell with dome lights operated with 3 way switches, aux backup lights with relay and 3 position switch, modified wiring to compass/temp display and clock to include switch that disables dimming function (poor man's DRL solution), Scan Gauge 2
    Hmmm. Maybe the body control module switches that relay? Not sure. I suppose if they reflashed something, that could be an issue. Or a pinched wire as someone mentioned. Maybe ask if they had the dash apart? FSM time.
     
  8. Sep 19, 2010 at 7:37 PM
    #8
    qnyla

    qnyla Well-Known Member

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    I had the same symptoms. I hope you do not have the same problem I did.

    It was traced to a short in the main fuse block. The connector on the wiring harness was melted as a result. The harness itself was undamaged and the main connector was able to be re-pinned. The fuse block was $600 plus a ton of labor for testing each wire in the harness.
     
  9. Sep 19, 2010 at 8:03 PM
    #9
    iroc409

    iroc409 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yikes! I hope that is not the issue, but I am still under the 3year/36k warranty. I might have a look around the fuse block to see if I notice anything.
     
  10. Sep 19, 2010 at 8:23 PM
    #10
    qnyla

    qnyla Well-Known Member

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    My 2006 had this problem at 145k miles so it was not under warranty. I now have 205k with no other issues.

    There was no way to see any indication of the issue on my truck until the dash was largely removed and the fuse block removed.

    Oh, if the wiring harness had been damaged--30 days for a new one from Japan and $4000 installed by the dealer.
     
  11. Sep 19, 2010 at 11:16 PM
    #11
    iroc409

    iroc409 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, it's been sitting for several hours and the lights haven't turned back on. I'm going to take it in the morning anyway, as I am taking a copy of the steering wheel clunk TSB to argue with them some more. They're probably going to tell me I'm nuts... I have no idea how to troubleshoot something like this. When I get time, I'll start poking around myself I guess.
     
  12. Nov 1, 2010 at 9:09 AM
    #12
    iroc409

    iroc409 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So... just an update with my truck.

    I took it to the dealer a while back, and they tried to find a problem. I told them they were unlikely to, but they really wanted to try and all that. They couldn't find anything. I also had to have the radio replaced at the time (2nd one), and am still trying to get the steering column fix--with no luck.

    Since then, the lights have not had the problem again, that I am aware of. I suppose it's always possible it's happened but it was not observed.

    However, now I'm starting to get really bad transmission lag. It will rev up to probably almost 2000 RPM if I am idling/rolling slowly and then accelerate. It's really bad! All this happened after the gas pedal logic upgrade, so now I am kind of wondering if that didn't bugger the system. I've flashed plenty of desktop/laptop BIOS, and there's been times that everything appeared to go fine but didn't and it caused bugs.

    Is this even possible? Or, is it more likely the transmission lag is completely unrelated? It had lag before, but was pretty minimal. This is crazy! Could it be worn out fluid, this early? Or, maybe I have a leak?
     

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