DRL Failures, Locker Indicator Flashing, and Chasing Electrical Gremlins

Are those your zip ties?

 

Not 100% sure, but I usually cut them off.

 

Mine is the same as yours

Exactly the same as my 18 sport.

 

Same.

 

Thanks!

 

These junctions on the vehicles I work on can occasionally be a source of issues. This looks like a ground termination connection. Grounds from multiple sources joined together and then grounded to the chassis. Sometimes they don't seal or get soldered correctly and cause ground fault issues.

Also that zip tie should be cut flush! The person who cut it like that deserves to have his hand dragged across the razor sharp end!

 

You think a ground bus bar connected to the chassis ground there and then each of those grounds individually would worthwhile?

 

That is a lot of work, but if Toyota doesn't find a fault and you have to repair yourself, then it may be worth while to open it up and make sure there isn't a problem. A ground block would be good.

 

I'd peel that tape back and make sure there aren't any Pierce marks from them probing.

 

Winch or HIDs are both capable of producing voltage spikes because of their inherent inductive load.

On the scope display, it is going to primarily be the negative direction spike that you are going to be concerned about, and measuring as close to the Daytime running light LED as possible. I would expect the DRL in LED format can tolerate upto +60V in the positive direction spike, but less than 5V in the negative direction.
Generally you will create negative going spikes when turning an inductive load Off. (motors, anything with a magnetic core such as a transformer) That said, most sensitive electronics have a 'clamp diode' across the input power leads to limit any negative spike to -0.6V. You could do the same either at the power leads of the offending auxiliary part producing the negative spike (preferred solution) or at the input to the sensitive equipment. Basically a diode has an arrow symbol (or triangle if you prefer) with a line across the pointy end of the arrow. Connect the lead associated with the front of the arrow to ground, and the pointy end with the line across it to the positive lead.

Grounding matters! How your winch, winch controller, or HID modules are grounded; if in doubt, connect to points that are common grounding points that include a cable that goes back to the battery, versus just another body metal point of contact.

Edit: i didn't read the whole thread, just the first page.

 

Waited for my call back on Friday and Saturday from Toyota. Of course it never came. Waited on hold for about 35 total minutes today while I was on my way to court. Of course they couldn’t reach him and promised another call-back today after 4:00pm local time.

 

I would seriously just take it to reputable Auto Electrician instead of playing games with Toyota, it's a shame that they are giving you the run around. A good electrician will find the issue and there shouldn't be a debate about it when they do, it will be X is the problem, not guessing. I believe the Lemon Law is for a vehicle having 3 of the same problem and not having the issue corrected, hence "fog lights".

 

Well, Toyota finally called back and said that the FTS believes that the additional testing supports his position that the failures are caused by aftermarket interference. I’m not sure how he can make that determination based on the evidence in front of him, but he’s holding all of the cards until a judge/arbitrator tells him that he’s not.

Next step is to see how soon we can get an arbitration on the books. I have a couple trips planned and some other fun things for the truck. Just can’t wait months for an arbitration .

 

So i was driving around today and a 2018 pro was behind me. His driver's side DRL was burned out.

His looked completely stock, no lights, bumpers, anything.

Would have loved to let him know, as he might not even know about it.

I thought of this thread when i saw it.

Maybe he is on here and will see this thread.

It was a 2018 Cavalry Blue pro on I26 in Asheville.

 

Very interesting. Did you notice if it had a snorkel? Since it’s a pro, my only thought is maybe we share a similar grounding issue due to the fender difference in the pro with snorkel, that or the LED fogs are inherently an issue. Or it could be a bad batch of DRLs used in the pro headlight housings.

 

No snorkel.

 

Number 3 head light of mine is blown.

 

@therealprotaco

Have you thought about contacting Baja Design? Seeing if they could help prove it's not their product?

 

Older post now, but for the record, Toyota does not use solder in wiring harness or junctions. I'm not sure what method Toyota is using in this particular case, but in similar junctions they're either crimped, or using some form of cold pressure welding/adhesive technique that is then covered with anti-corrosion grease and a rubber cap.

Jeff