Headlights auto shut off?

^^ nvm, Brian answered that.

 

Yep that is the order. If you turn them on with the ignition off they will stay on forever or until battery dies. Personally I just leave the switch on and run with the lights on day and night.

 

Resurrecting an old thread based on a recent experience (tonight). Normally during the early mornings or evenings I leave the lights on and just cut the truck off, no issues. One morning last week I turned off the lights with the truck running, then powered down the truck. Stepping out I flipped the lights into the on position so one less thing to do when I hopped in that evening. (Lazy, I know.) That evening it was slow to turn over but I didn't think anything of it because it started up.

This morning - squeal. This evening - needed a jump!

So, I think if you have the lights on while the truck is running and cut the power, they will shut off no issues as I have experienced. BUT, if you're a lazy knuckle-head like I was and turn the lights on AFTER the truck is no longer running, expect a dead battery.

If nothing else, this thread proves that the search function is alive and well!!! Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays, All!

 

If you turn off the truck then turn on the lights , the lights come on do they not ?

 

Yup, but I don't think they go off as if you had left them on and turned the truck off. I dunno without testing this more though. I do recall this morning the lights being on when I walked away and assumed they'd go off in a minute or two like the times when I turned the truck off first.

 

Oh , I see what you are saying , yes , I believe if you turn them on after the truck is off that they stay on

 

10-4 - Learned that the hard way. Fortunately a guy in a Ford Ranger (cringe) gave me a jump.

 

^^^^^^This...

I went out and ran mine to de-ice my truck the week I bought it. I had it backed in, and the drivers side was Caked with Ice, so I got in easily on the passenger side and ran it while I cleaned up my wife's car next to it. I just let mine run till the ice melted off (Defrogger on High for about 15 minutes, I had no other reason than to get it de-iced ... I had no plans to drive anywhere yet), and Knowing that the lights were Auto-off with the key and door trigger, Closed up and went inside. Came out about an hour later to help my wife load up the car and there my truck sat, lights still on, because I had never trigger the driver door switch. Lesson learned. I haven't looked to see about having a battery saver feature that would turn off the lights if left on... but I know after an hour, they will still be on as it sits.

 

Old post but I figured this out today too...
I was hearing a humming noise coming from the back axle of my truck, which I have now found is normal. During trying to figure out what the noise was I figured I would put the key in the ignition and turn on the trucks electronics but not start it. When I did that my son said the noise stopped so I pulled the key and began to walk away when I noticed the front parking lights, rear lights and license plate lights were still on. I had originally entered the vehicle through the passenger door to put the key in and then remove it. So it seems related to the passenger door. When I noticed the lights were still on I entered the vehicle through the drivers side to check things and then shut the drivers door and then the lights went out.

 

If you have a car starter and get into the habit of leaving your headlight switch on and allowing the door switch to shut them off you could end up with a dead battery. The car start will start the truck and the headlights will come on. Once the car starter times out and turns the truck off the light will stay on. If you never make it back to the truck, jumper time.

 

A light is one of the few things that will drain a battery completely. This is the main reason modern vehicles turn the headlights off after a period of time even if the headlight switch is left on and the override procedure isn't initiated (varies by vehicle)
Most other electrical items (radio, blower fan) require a certain voltage to work. If the battery drops below that voltage the item simply shuts down and stops drawing power.
A light (incandescent) will draw power no matter the voltage. The light may not glow but it will draw power. LEDS have minimum voltage requirement.
I have no clue if HID lights would drain a battery down completely.
I believe seat warmers would work the same as incandescent bulbs if left powered on.

 

Good point.

 

I had my 07 Prerunner converted to RHD for my job as a mail carrier. I am always leaving my lights on and would like to figure out how to power off lights with engine, instead of the driver’s door. Any takers?