DRL Failures, Locker Indicator Flashing, and Chasing Electrical Gremlins

Toyota blaming Baja Design is because they are partnering with Rigid Industry LED on their Pro's . :/

 

Do you know if they did the original test with the engine running? If not, the alternator would not be applicable here.

 

I do not. I did email them this morning to request that the test be done under the same conditions as the prior test:

 

Nice man. Almost makes me think you're an engineer. Definitely written like an engineer haha.

 

I guess you're covered, then. If it was running on the last test and the alternator is still bad, the noise should still be present. If they tested without it running, and it exhibits the same symptoms with the mods disconnected, that should verify that the mods were not the culprit. I've seen a lot of crazy things troubleshooting electrical gripes on aircraft, even seen components do things they were neither designed nor capable of doing, but they did it anyway. Gremlins are real... Good luck.

 

Just a lawyer who has been working on/modifying cars for his whole life.

 

Interesting. I can see how as a lawyer you have to be meticulous and pay attention to the details.
That's the biggest thing about taking data and comparing data. A repeatable test plan with every variable accounted for. If you had presented the first data and the second data (while unplugging the aftermarket lights) without listing all the things you put in your list, it would get shut down right away here. I guess Lawyers are smart.
Taking the correct data, then presenting the data so it's easily understandable. Hence the time scales, the labels, everything.

 

I have a new respect for lawyers after this!

 

Tree dollars for the fogs.

 

Tree fiddy !!
https://youtu.be/pS_zE0DTWIU

 

I had to change it because tree fiddy sounds like 350$ haha.

 

We're very sorry that you haven't been able to reach us

There shouldn't be any interference or issue. I am happy to connect you with Tech or Engineering. Please let me know if you'd like both and I'll send you a PM with their emails.

Sorry again about any issues you're having. I hope we can help resolve them!

 

I didn't want to reach out to you until I had some actual data from the dealership to share. That being said, I do now have some data (well I'm picking up the data this evening) and Toyota is blaming two specific components for the signal noise (see next post). One is in fact the Baja Designs Squadron Sports.

 

2.50$

 

Alright, so I don't have the data in hand yet, but the dealership did confirm that there were two specific aftermarket components that were responsible for all of the signal noise. Even with all of the aftermarket components unplugged however, it never returned to a max of 0.2 like on the stock truck. The lowest it got was 0.3.

The two components that were causing 100% of the signal noise were:

1. Baja Designs Squadron Sports
2. MESO Stealth ECT button (just the button itself, they unplugged it at the tiny plug where the button harness meets the rest of the harness extension)

The following components had absolutely no impact on the signal noise:

1. Raptor Lights
2. MESO Customs Ultimate Turn Signals
3. MESO Customs Ultimate Map and Dome Lights
4. MESO Customs Puddle Pods
5. Warn VR10 Winch
6. LED License Plate Lights

This does not make any sense to me in terms of cause of DRL failures as neither of those items were installed for the 1st failure and the fogs were not installed for the 1st or 2nd. That being said, even though I don't agree with the diagnosis, I believe Toyota has sufficient data to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the aftermarket foglights or ECT button are the cause of the DRL failures. At this point, I am going to remove the stealth ECT button (it will be for sale if anyone wants to chance it....) and run the foglights through a relay harness rather than directly into the factory wiring. Then I'll repair the headlight myself and see what happens.

@MESO @Baja Designs

 

Not at all what I was expecting. Now I wonder if the signal noise even had anything to do with the DRL failures.

 

I think that the answer to that question is most likely no based on the install dates of the items causing the noise. Unfortunately, not much I can do at this point other than change the method of install and see if it happens again.

 

Assuming you pull the designated issue sources out of the system. Will Toyota stand behind a new warranty for new DLR’s ?

Edits: Also If I remember correctly; the failures were always on the one side. I would expect system noise from those sources to be system wide...

 

That is an interesting question that I do not know the answer to. One thing that the service director did mention to me was that the factory foglights are grounded to the same ground as the Driver's side DRL.