DTRL Lens Melting

just sayin'
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why didnt you just switch to the halogen bulbs before you brought it to the dealer?! problem would have been solved. you are the 3rd person i have heard this happen to...very wierd as there are thousands of tacos running around out there w/ no problems.

 

Now that you spent all that time investigating the lense temps, etc, Toyota's factory DTRL setup will melt the lenses over time. I've read about it on other Tacoma forums and on the highlander forums as well (our other vehicle). They use bulbs that burn too hot or are just too close to the lenses. Another quality toyota part (yes, sore subject with me due to my front diff bearing).

 

not really true. Stock bulbs did this to mine. I went to the dealer and they changed the whole headlight. I asked them if they plan to fix the problem so it won't happen again, and they said probably not. Unless Toyota deems it a problem. With all this safety issues in the news it may be time to tell them its a fire hazard.

I forgot to mention I also have HID's installed and they gave me no problem at the dealership.

 

You are correct but I think it depends on what state you live in. I know California has that law but here in NV where I live, they could care less.

 

Thanks I have printed this and reviewing.

I wish I would have swapped back to stock but in all reality that is not whats causing the issue.

Do you have any pictures? Also would you be willing to send me a copy of the repair order. This would help me greatly as my dealer claims they nor the Toyota rep have ever seen this happen.

 

With regard to Headlights (not auxiliary lighting like fog lights, aux lights, etc), the headlight laws are the same across all the States. Headlight laws are not State laws, they're Federal. Whether your local law enforcement cares or not is a whole different story.

 

I have Tac 08 with the same issue of burned in lens on the DTRL. It got factory lamps. I am out of warranty with respect to mileage. Any suggestion on a replacement lamp that will not cause this problem and is there a way to just replace the DTRL lens only? Any assistance would be great.
Thanks

 

i have a few extra sets of blinker lenses if you want one. all you would have to do is open up your headlights and replace them. very easy, preheat oven to 275, TURN OVEN OFF!, place headlight in oven for 10 min, take lense off, then install is reverse of removal!

 

You're kidding right?! .. I have an '05 ALL stock.. and YES the DRLs did the same thing after about 2-3 yrs..can't remember exactly when they started looking like Cr@p.. but i bought a pair of '07 headlamps w/a few broken tabs and was thinkn of switching out.

 

This is my experience.

I installed the DTRL mod on my '06 .... ran them for three years with no problem. The lenses as clear as the day I first drove it off the lot.

I did the same on my 2010 this week. One thing I have done is replace the factory 4157 amber bulbs (12.8 volt/28.5 watts) with 3157 amber (12.8 volt/26.9 watts.)

There doesn't appear in daylight to be any difference.

I'll sit back and let the engineers chime in.

 

UPDATE:

The dealer has replaced my headlights. They informed Toyota Corp has requested they do this and send them my old ones for inspection. The replacement was done last month (June) and I have not received any further communication from them. It is my guess they will not provide the results of their findings especially if they find a defect. I will be keeping a close eye on the lenses fro here on out.

Also of note I had removed the HID kit and put the stock bulbs back in April. Even after this the lenses continued to melt.

 

Based on what I've read about this problem, I would be inclined to look for a LED bulb replacement solution for the turn/park indicators if I had DRL installed.

 

I have done a search for both #4157 and #3157 amber LED with a wedge base ... no results. I don't expect it will be long before they become available.

 

I see 3157 wedge base bulbs in amber and other colors here and other places online.

 

Thanks for the link man ...... I hadn't found that.

Now .... wow .... $23 plus ... I'll stick with my dula filament #3157 .....

 

I did this Mod a year ago.....it's still on......no issues on an 07 TRD O.R.!

 

Res-erection: I have the same prob on my 09. At the dealer now and they said they've never seen this on Tacos but Higlanders had a problem with high beams melting the lens. I'm at 55K miles so they're contacting the extended warranty company for replacement. My bulbs are stock so if the exteneded warranty company doesnt cover it, the dealership will. This is a defect no matter how you look at it.

 

Right, just in case I was the only one paying attention in school HIDs are great because they provide a lot of light for very low power. 35, 55w is nothing. And they run MUCH cooler than a halogen because of this efficiency.

So of course they aren't the problem, unless something is shorting or burning out - they'll run cooler than your stock bulbs!

The only way they could cause a problem with your DTRL's is if they somehow interfered with the circuit the DTRL's are on... and they're completely separate, anyway, so I don't see how this is possible.

 

On the HIDs, HIDs are more efficient than halogens. HIDs are great at producing a ton of light with very little power, so of course they run cooler than your halogens. The dealer is dumb.

Unless they're somehow forcing the DTRL's to run at a higher wattage when the HIDs are off (and on a separate circuit, aside from the relay to turn them on) this makes no sense.

I have stock lights. Just to be sure, I can get my temp gun and see what temp my lenses are at after I get home from work for you. I suspect I'm running hot too (and will be installing a DTRL disable switch shortly.)