Headlights won't turn off...

I have a 2001 Tacoma. Up until Saturday, I used to just leave the headlight switch in the on position, since they would shut off after I opened the door. Well apparently that isn't the case anymore. It's strange, (once I recharged the battery!) Once the truck is running, I can now turn the lights on and off with the switch. If I leave the switch in the on position, shut off the truck, and open the door, the lights will stay on, can't shut them off with the switch. The only way to shut them off once that happens is to restart the truck, turn them off, and then shut the truck off.

I've done some research, it sounds like maybe the relay is stuck? But if it was stuck, wouldn't they always be on? Could it possibly be the door switch instead? The dome light does function properly with the door switch. Any help would be appreciated, before I go buying a new relay I don't need.

 

If the door switch is functioning properly it sounds like the relay has went bad. An inexpensive and easy repair.

Also, welcome to TW!

 

+1...If there are no other door switches- then the relay is the thing to look at.

The cap that holds the power to keep the windows and lights going is staying charged and not quick discharging- then I think the relay is suspect.
Good luck.

 

Great, thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be orderig a new relay. Autozone had them for $60, I think I saw them at rockauto.com for like $20.

 

Let us know if it was a bad relay.

 

So before I had a chance to order the new relay, they started working properly again, and have been fine since. So that leads me to believe it was a stuck relay. I'll eventually order a new one, but got to get the timing belt work done first!

 

How many miles do you have on your truck?

Are you going to do it yourself? There is a great write up on changing timing belts.

 

I've got 104,xxx on it now. I don't think I'm going to do it myself. I'm sure I could do it, I've been working on cars for 15+ years, but I've got a kid on the way, so getting the house ready is taking all my time! Although I got a quote to do the belt and water pump, $700!

 

That sure is a lot of money. They wont do the thermostat and acc belts too for that price? That would make a good day off project.

Get the parts a buddy and beer and make a day of it.

 

I'll probably get them to do the belts and tstat as well. I wasn't ready to do the work when they gave me the quote, but I've done a lot of business with them, so I should be able to do some negotiating. Got to fix the wife's pathfinder first. Yet another 02 sensor for her's.

 

At that mileage barely even broken in yet!!!!!

 

I know it. Other than routine fluids changes, all I've had to replace is the radiator, the parking brake cables, and the front brakes at 80k miles. Can't say the same for my 01 pathfinder.