Tacoma lights on and off randomly -

Saw a thread on this topic from 2011 and wondering if any resolution. Have a 2006 Tacoma. The headlights go on and off randomly when the car is parked and no one around. There is also a high pitched whine when the truck is running. It goes away if headlights turned on. The running lights relay was replaced and thought to fix the problem. It did not.
It has a new brain - 6 months ago - as it basically shut down while driving on the highway. Worried that I am heading to a repeat brain failure due to some haywire electrical problem that remains unresolved.
The one problem that was traced and fixed - turning off and removing the key did not necessarily stop the engine. Had to open the driver’s door to make it shut off. Maybe it is all related.

 

Check the ignition switch at the steering column. Is the alternator whining? Unplug it when the engine is running and see if the noise goes away

 

Was there an aftermarket security and/or remote start system installed?

 

Turns out the alternator was whining because it was overworking to recharge the battery when the lights came on in the middle of the night - for anywhere from 15 mins to 7 hrs! (Put a camera on it) New battery, alternator regulator ok. Still working on it.