Noise when headlights are on

I have a 2017 Tundra SR5 TRD Off Road. Last year switched headlights out for LED with Auto Level. All was good. Recently noticed I get noise when I turn my headlights on like a hum almost as though there is a small motor / fan running. It seems also that the leveling is not working. What should I check first, anyone have any experience? Thanks!

 

Check all harnesses to the headlight. Turn the vehicle on and listen at the headlight? Its possible the auto level motor is going. Do you have a link for the specific headlights you installed?

 

Thank you, I will give it a shot.

 

I bought them from carparts.com - set for 250.00, probably not the best decision.

 

Can I disconnect the leveling motors and level the headlights under the hood with an adjustment screw?

 

Maybe, but I'm not sure how their autolevel works. Normally your adjustment screw is to line up the beam at install (allows up and down movement) and the leveler is to adjust the beam when you are loaded(I believe only down). I know in my 2018 the leveler switch in the cab let's me angle the beam downwards from level but not upwards.

 

You can disconnect the motors and adjust with the screw. Sometimes the motors will no longer work or work on their own(like mine). I suspect it’s the actual switch and not the motors. I disconnected mine and just adjusted the screws.

 

Turns out the leveling motors do work. The noise is the only issue now. Only when headlights are on, I get the noise sounds like a fan and some electrical interference?

 

Could be fans in the lights. My LED fogs have fans in them, and I can barely hear the hum when all else is quiet. SOme of these high-powered LEDs need the fans for cooling.

 

I hear the hum / noise near the firewall - dash area.

 

If your radio is on, try to turn it off. Some LED bulbs cause rf interference which can create static.

 

Open your hood and turn your headlights on without the truck running and you should find the source easily. Sounds like you are hearing cooling fans on the headlights.

 

tmtundra,

I just bought a 2010 Tundra TRD today. Tonight, I found that the passenger side headlight is making a running motor noise like you mentioned. Did you ever find out what the issue was with your truck?

 

What headlights do you have?

 

It’s just with stock headlights with a Phillips H11LL bulb. The noise is coming from the assembly under the headlight where I’m pointing in the attached picture.

 

That is the leveling motor. They can short out.

 

Well, I removed the bulb and turned on the headlights to see if it would still make the noise. It’s didn’t make the noise without the bulb in. Then I plugged the bulb back in and tried it and everything worked fine without any noise.

I’m sure it’s not permanently fixed but it’s not making any noise now. I’ll have keep an eye on it to see if I can figure out what causes it again.

 

Ok, good to know. I’m sure I’ll have to replace it then. Thank you very much for your help!!

 

The switch on mine shorted out a while ago. They just operated on their own once in a while. I ended up disconnecting them. I don’t think you can purchase the motors separately, but I’m not 100% sure.