Auto headlights shut-off with turn signal

Occasionally, when driving around at night and use the turn signal, the headlights will shut off and interior dash lights and radio lights will dim, as if it is day time. I have been able to replicate it and recorded it to show the service writers.

Anyone else have this issue. Ill be dropping it off at the dealer but wondering if anyone else has had this issue. I have only noticed it with auto headlights as that is what I have them set to. I've read somewhere that it might be the turn signal stalk making a bad ground.

16 Platinum that a bought new. OEM headlights with Sylvania ZXE bulbs.

 

Sometimes my turn signals will flash once after clicking off on the left signal. Not sure why and dealer couldn't reproduce it. I've just dealt with it and my warranty is way over now.

 

Just had a tech tell me that the ground in the engine bay, where I grounded my amp step module, was overloading and causing the short. Anyone ever witness this?

 

I had a coworker with the same issue. He had made no mods. Dealer wouldn’t or couldn’t fix it. He eventually traded it in and went back to Chevy.

 

I have a 2016 Tundra purchased new with no mods that just started having this issue.

 

I have a 2017 Tundra that this just started happening to last week. It is at the dealership now and they can not get it to duplicate so they are returning it to me. All stock no ad on's. They said they would call Toyota tomorrow to see if anyone else has had this issue. Anybody get a fix yet?

 

I’ve been having the same issue. 2017 Tundra, bought brand new, no mods. Took it in and dashlights/headlights went out when the intake specialist looked at it and fiddled with the turn signal, but it wouldn’t duplicate for the technicians. I was told they couldn’t fix it until the issue became more “prominent”. Needless to say I spoke with the dealership GM and they’re looking at it again tomorrow. I will update if I have any useful information. Fingers crossed...

 

Mine 16 1794 does it too.I think the headlight/turn signal switch is worn internally or making some bad contact there

 

Sounds like ur on to something here!

Oh boy something to look forward to in my 18’

 

ZXE blue or gold?

 

What has that got to do with it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsBysD68Sgs

 

Yeah, I figured it’s somewhere in the column, but of course that would be too much to investigate. ‍♀️. Hoping to be a squeaky wheel and get some grease... Gotta act while the warranty is still good.

 

It's just a question about what bulb he running, I have the Syl Ultras, thier are zxe blue n new ones gold, so thats what I was asking about that's all

 

I did the whole better bulb/LED bulb thing. Some are better than others, but in the end, you just really need to spring for 2018+ OEM LEDs.
Remember, Black Friday is coming up, I bet @Roman will have deals.

 

I know, I know, but I'm also on the market for the '19 PRO IDK yet for sure, but yeah I e been running the Sylvania Ultras which are pretty good also have em in the fogs, but then I saw em in Midland when I was working, almost $80 for a pair zxe gold, claim to be bright white, zxe blue has a blue white tint

 

Hey Everyone, I'm new to the forum. I'm having the same issue with my 2015 1794 Edition. It typically happens in the mornings when it's cold out (I don't have a garage), like less than 20 degrees. It's happened probably 4 times in the last 2 months and seems to only occur when turning left. I live in Bailey, CO at 9000'. When we lived down in Denver and we had a garage this never seemed to be an issue. I'm just including all of the variables to compare with other's experiences (cold weather, no garage, etc.). I saw on TundraTalk that a tech told an owner that the 'headlight on' switch had to be replaced because it was getting hot, causing it to short out. This was an old post though (6 years ago).

 

UPDATE: This morning I was able to easily replicate this issue and even better, potentially resolve it.

Here are the steps:
1) Start the truck with the Auto headlight switch on.
2) Turn the right and left turn signal on and sure enough, the headlights shut off consistently.

The potential resolution:
3) Turn the headlight switch from Auto to the next setting which I believe is just manual headlights.
4) Turn the right and left turn signals on again. Headlights didn't shut off.
5) Turn the headlight switch back to Auto.
6) Turn the right and left turn signals on and voila, the headlights stayed on.

Can any of you who've been experiencing this issue please try these steps to see if you have the same results? I've already made an appointment with the dealership (11/30) to have them look at it but if others are able to replicate and resolve this the same way I did, I'll cancel the appointment. The reason being, I'm not confident they can replicate the issue based primarily on the fact that it won't be dark when they test it.

 

I have a 2016 1794 Tundra with same issue. Just happend on the way home tonight. It's 42 degrees, turned on right turn signal, headlights go off for 2-3 seconds, then come back on. This is the 4th or 5th time it's happened. Is there a fix, or has Toyota issued a service bulletin on this yet?

 

I have a 2017 1794 Tundra and I am experiencing the same issue, primarily using the left turn signal and it happens about 10% of the time. I havent yet taken it to the dealership but it does appear from the posts this is a common issue. Any idea if there is a TSB bulletin on this? Has anyone gotten a fix at the dealership? If so please let me know what the resolution was?

 

@dvolfan See my post on 11/21 (3 posts up). I haven't had this issue come back yet after going through those steps.

 

Took my truck to the dealership last month and they couldn’t duplicate the problem. So they sent me home but kept an open ticket on it. Got my camera out and started taking it with me and recording all the time at night until it happened again and sent the dealership the video. They called Toyota and got a supposed fix. REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS. So far so good. We will see what happens, been going strong for a month now and no problems.

 

Thanks Firehawbow6! I think I will try the camera idea as well and give the Service writer the footage. Hope the replacement solved the problem for you!

 

Hello, the below is what has been happening to my Toyota Tundra 2015 Platinum and I have included a link to the videos.

Has anyone found or received a fix from Toyota. I do not have any modifications.

Background:
To give you some background our 2015 Toyota Tundra Platinum we purchased from Hayward Toyota has been serviced only by Hayward Toyota. We also purchased the most extensive extended warranty when the truck was purchased. We have had the stereo already replaced as it was having intermittent electronic issues captured on video.

Current Issue:
Over the past few years I noticed the driving and internal lights completely shut off. The first time it happened I thought it was just an outside light coming into the truck and my eyes were playing games with my mind.

NOTE: THIS IS A SEVER DRIVING HAZARD -

• We purchased our 2015 Toyota Tundra Platinum 4X4 specifically so we can safely travel to Tahoe during Ski and Snowboard Season. Having the confidence of Toyota as I am a long time Toyota Customer, this was my Go To Truck.
• If and generally we travel to Tahoe we have no control over the weather and many of times have driven in serious weather where visibility is limited.
• If we were to loose our Driving Headlights and Instrument Panel during such weather we would in fact be driving BLIND.
• We also regularly visit my dad in Oregon traveling on US 101 north where many times there are no lighted highways. This would also cause a very serious driving HAZARD on very windy roads at night:
  • If we were to loose our Driving Headlights and Instrument Panel during such weather we would in fact be driving BLIND.

Then it happened again, this time I truly noticed all the lights shut off. I explained to my wife the issue and thought it was weird. This happened when I would use the left hand turn signal to change lanes.

Then it happened again with my wife in the truck. It was only instant a few seconds or so but this time she saw it happen first hand. This is when I wasn't going crazy and decided to bring the truck into your service center to look into the issue. We left it with you for a few days and Steve from your Sr. Level Service Department Tech took it home to try to see it happen. He could not reproduce the issue and our Service Adviser Jay W. and Steve said to keep in eye on it and if it happens again see if you can grab a video.

Here we are November 12, 2018 and my wife and I are traveling to SF at around 6:00AM in the morning. We are headed northbound on Highway 880 and starting to merge left to the commuter lane. When we approached the second far left lane and I turned on the left turn signal to merge into the commuter lane. ALL OF THE LIGHTS - DRIVING HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL completely turned off. This time they stayed OFF.

So my wife and I engaged our Cell Phones to capture the issue as it was happening. Both videos can be found at the link below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oPZSE7Z4ssaP29KE8

I have also included both of your emails an you should also receive an email with instructions.

There are two videos:

Both Videos have been seen by Steve and Benjamin. They both recognized all of the below behavior happening and can't explain why the lights turned off nor why when I turned the left hand turn signal off they turned back on.

I was explained the soonest my truck could be looked at was Monday of next week as there were other circumstances of why I couldn't leave my truck today. There weren't any managers on duty who I felt could make any decisions on if I could leave the truck today and get a loaner.

1. Drivers Recording duration .32 seconds - Listen to the audio

• You can see on my video the left blinker and the only two lighted areas of the panel which are the Navigation and middle data within the console. If you look outside and against the barrier you can see the DRIVING LIGHTS are off and only the Running Lights are on.
• You can clearly see how highly illuminated the Navigation Screen is, and not showing the black contrast background when driving at night.
• At .15 seconds in the recording I am saying now if I turn the Blinker Off the lights come back on.
• At .16/.17 seconds you will actually see the Driving Headlights turn on and illuminate the road and barrier. You also see the instrument panel, (RPM, Speedometer, Gas Gauge, Oil Temperature, Battery Monitor, Thermostat) all are now illuminated with lights but at the correct night time driving setting.
• You also notice the Navigation Screen is no longer illuminated with HIGH intensity but back to the Night Time Driving setting.
• This same behavior can be duplicated by turning OFF the lights.

1. Passenger Recording duration .42 seconds

• You can see from this video clearly all of the Instrument and Driving Headlights are OFF.
• You can clearly see how highly illuminated the Navigation Screen is, and not showing the black contrast background when driving at night.
• At .20 seconds in the recording I am saying now if I turn the Blinker Off the lights come back on.
• At .21/.22 seconds you will actually see the Driving Headlights turn on and illuminate the road and barrier. You also see the instrument panel, (RPM, Speedometer, Gas Gauge, Oil Temperature, Battery Monitor, Thermostat) all are now illuminated with lights but at the correct night time driving setting.
• You also notice the Navigation Screen is no longer illuminated with HIGH intensity but back to the Night Time Driving setting.

I missed going into work today as I thought I was going to be able to drop off my truck. Now that I was told to come back on Monday again a work day for me I would like to drop it off on Saturday and get a loaner so I don't have to miss going into work again.

I will try to call later today and speak to the General Manager and see what can be done for Saturday.

Sincerely,

Joel

 

Was your headlight switch set to Auto? If so, look at my post above to see if that resolves the issue.

 

I’m having the same issue. I have a 2017 1794 edition. This just started for me a few weeks ago. I did a little research myself and I was just going to replace the auto headlamp sensor up in the center of the dash by the windshield. I found out the original part number was Superseded to a new part number. I’m going to replace the sensor myself This week and see if that fixes the issue. If the part was superseded by Toyota that may be an indication of the problem they know exists. The part is only around 100 bucks. The original part # was:

$40 89121-50020 JESBEN Automatic Light Control Sensor Replacement for 4Runner 10-18 Highlander 08-13 Sienna 04-18 Venza 09-17 2.7L Avalon 05-14 RAV4 13-18 2.5L Sequoia 08-15 Tundra 07-18 4.6L 89121-50020

89121-50020 but was replaced with part # 89121-06020 . I’m pretty sure this part number is correct. I will look into it on Monday when I return to work (I work @ a Collision shop) my database and my dealer for parts should be able to verify this. I’m hoping this is the solution.

 

Hello, new and first post..
My headights are turning off when on auto as well, tried manual but problem still exists.
I've taken baby in 3 times now to no avail. My problem has always been with Right turn signal until the other night it happened with Left turn signal. .
All 3 right turn problems have been after stopping at a stop sign and turning. 4th time was doing 70mph and moving left to pass on highway.
On 3rd time I pulled into driveway and left everything running as I got out to inspect truck all around. To my shock it was not only headlights and dash lights but this problem also causes the tail lights to go out COMPLETELY.
Only on 3rd time I took to dealer were they able to see lights go off but could not find reason.
Taking to dealer for the 4th time tomorrow.. will update

 

Bam66 I feel your pain. Hopefully Toyota can figure out this issue since it’s unsafe. Or maybe one of us bringing it to the dealer can figure out the problem.

 

I dropped off my Tundra this weekend I will keep you all posted if they find something.

This is a Serious Safety Hazard and I believe collectively we need to reach out to the NTSB and start expressing how this could end up causing deaths if it happens at the wrong time.

 

Let me ask a question???? Does anyone have any aftermarket accessories on their vehicles? Only asking because before I hade my 2017 tundra I had a 2010 tundra. I added an aftermarket 3rd brake light that plugged into my trailer connector. It had an electrical short inside the unit that when I applied my brakes and it signaled to the aftermarket 3rd brake light to go on my reverse camera and dashboard lights would come on. I realized this after I disconnected the aftermarket brake light that the problem went away. Just figured I’d throw that out there. I currently have another type of aftermarket 3rd brake light installed but after having this issue with the lights shutting off I disconnected it to see if this could be the problem.