2013 Tacoma (new to me!)

Thank you for letting me join the forum.

Noticed some similar threads but have a specific question about goofy automatic light system.

As I get distracted easy, it is not uncommon for me to open my door first before shutting off the truck. Had to jumpstart it twice already.

Is there a kit to circumvent the door open part or has anybody just disconnected the door closed “switch”.

I have to find a solution since I drive throughout Eastern Ky and help may not be close.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Ryan

 

I have a '13 base. While I don't have fully automatic, it does have auto off.

But my '14 RAV has fully automatic.

I'm not understanding your problem. Are you saying that if you open the door, lights on, truck running, then shut truck off, exit, the lights don't shut off?

 

Basically. If you turn the truck off then open the door, the lights will turn off. However if you open the door first then shut the vehicle off, the lights stay on. Such a stupid design

 

They do shut off, eventually. I want to say after 10 minutes

 

There's no way I know of to change the behavior of the system, you either have to turn the headlight switch off or open the door after you turn the engine off.

Nope they will stay on until the battery is dead, just ask @TnShooter
IMO they should time out but they don't.

 

I'm a simple guy. Seems like using the manual setting would be the simple fix.

Using that, see if they won't turn off after a short time.

Otherwise, just turn them off and on as needed. Automatic lots of things are overrated.

 

Welcome

 

Unfortunately as I get older the whole remember part sometimes doesn't work

 

I understand. I'm one of the oldest here.

But if you're that old you remember manual only. Test and see if it doesn't auto off in the manual position.

If you need help remembering to turn the headlights on, you might consider riding with Uber.

 

Correct. They do not go off on their own.
I had it happen to me.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/do-your-head-lights-stay-on-you-might-need-to-know-this.373690/

 

If you truly can't remember to turn off your headlights, why not buy one of those emergency battery jump starters?
Peace of mind, affordable, and you can always start your trucklet without relying on others or being stranded.

 

I probably will buy a jump pack. However I am also going to find a way to circumvent the door switch so the lights will turn off otherwise.

 

Welcome to TW!
Any pics of your truck?

 

Wait really they stay on if you open door then shut off. Ill need to test this.

 

I’m gonna have to test this on my 2015 I’m positive I’ve gotten out with the lights on door open and they shut off.

 

I really don't know how it is on my 2005. I started driving in the mid-Sixties and leaving your lights on means you're coming back to a dead battery. So I always automatically turn them off.

 

Tested on my 2013. If you have your headlights on. Open the door and shut off the truck, the head lights shut off.

If you rotate the stalk to off then back to headlights on, the headlights will turn on (didnt leave it to see if they auto turned off after x time).

I do have a KARR alarm so that plays into things (like auto locking/unlocking doors on key) but not sure if that effects headlights. Needless to say i find it really odd that headlights are sticking in the situation you describe as that just isnt the case on my 2013.

 

This is incorrect on all 2013s. Mine is a 2013. Ex: Truck running and lights on. Open the door then shut off vehicle. My lights stay on. If I shut off the truck first then they will shut off. Really dumb

 

Dead batteries suck. Sorry just working on 50 posts so I can buy off the for sale forum. That sucks also.