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2020 Tundra - How to Turn Off Headlights with Engine Running

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Johnny_B500, Aug 4, 2020.

  1. Aug 4, 2020 at 9:38 AM
    #1
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    Hey guys,

    After coming from a 2013 Tacoma to a 2020 Tundra (Tundra has automatic on/off headlights and daylight running lights), does anyone know how to successfully turn off all lights at night with the engine running? I've tried the turn off vehicle and engage parking brake trick but, because of the auto headlights, this does not seem to work. I've also tried the same trick with just the side markers and ended up with the same outcome. Am I missing something obvious or is it just simply not possible?

    P.S. The reason I want the lights off is, I often photograph the Northern Lights in the winter and of course I want the vehicle running for warmth and have all the lights off as to not destroy the photographs/time-lapse etc.

    Any input appreciated.
     
  2. Aug 4, 2020 at 9:53 AM
    #2
    NCSkeeter

    NCSkeeter New Member

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    Turn the switch to DRL Off
     
  3. Aug 4, 2020 at 10:12 AM
    #3
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    I don't believe there is any such switch. Maybe because it's a Canadian vehicle?
     
  4. Aug 4, 2020 at 10:15 AM
    #4
    NCSkeeter

    NCSkeeter New Member

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    On my Headlight switch there are positions for DRL, Auto, parking lights, and headlights on
     
  5. Aug 4, 2020 at 10:19 AM
    #5
    omgboost

    omgboost The Accountant

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    That may be possible since DRLs are required on Canadian vehicles. How many positions so you have on the headlight switch by the signal stall? I wonder if you can swap a US switch and enable the feature.
     
  6. Aug 4, 2020 at 10:20 AM
    #6
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    That makes sense. Unfortunately mine only has Auto, parking lights and headlights on. Thanks for the suggestion though!
     
  7. Aug 4, 2020 at 10:56 AM
    #7
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Mine has a bottom option, OFF, I use it and turns off headlights and DRL when needed. Of course I dont use it, I leave it on Auto cause I am a fat lazy American slob.
     
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  8. Aug 4, 2020 at 10:59 AM
    #8
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I do believe this is a Canadian requirement to have drive lights on.
     
  9. Aug 4, 2020 at 10:59 AM
    #9
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Would make sense if the OFF option is not on the stalk for our northern brethren
     
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  10. Aug 4, 2020 at 11:06 AM
    #10
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    There is a time-delay on my SR5 that keeps the headlights on for about 30 seconds(?) after the engine is turned off. The same delay may occur when the headlight switch is simply turned to "Off" with the engine running. Give them a little time and see if the lights not turning off is just the delay.
     
  11. Aug 4, 2020 at 11:42 AM
    #11
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    I believe I tested the headlight time delay set to 0/Off a week or so ago. Saying that, I'll revisit it tonight after work as you might be on to something.
     
  12. Aug 4, 2020 at 1:34 PM
    #12
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    After studying the owner manual, I now believe the DRL will remain ON when the engine is running and the parking brake is released, regardless of light switch position. Try setting the switch to "O", set the parking brake, and wait the 30 second delay. Maybe that will do the trick.

    The delay can be adjusted, but it has to be done using Techstream.
     
  13. Aug 4, 2020 at 1:36 PM
    #13
    GreatBigAbyss

    GreatBigAbyss New Member

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    I think often the DRL function is tied to the parking brake. I haven't tested it on the Tundra (haven't had the need), but on all my other vehicles (Canadian Spec), engaging the parking brake and turning all other lights to 'OFF' would turn off the DRL's.
     
  14. Aug 4, 2020 at 1:53 PM
    #14
    tech1208

    tech1208 Old Salt, New truck

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    Park the truck 180 degrees differently, and lower the rear window for the pics?????
     
  15. Aug 4, 2020 at 2:10 PM
    #15
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    You're 100% correct (that is how my Tacoma was) except, there is no off. Auto, parking lights, and headlights on are the only option on the stick.
     
  16. Aug 4, 2020 at 2:40 PM
    #16
    19TurdPro

    19TurdPro New Member

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    That's not going to work for his situation.
    He's taking long exposures, camera is outside on a tripod. He want's to be able to set up a long exposure and leave the camera outside while he sits in the truck and stays warm while the camera does its thing.
    When shooting long exposures at higher ISOs, it doesn't take much light pollution to ruin a shot.

    I wonder if a new stalk would work?
    Otherwise, I think you can buy extension harnesses for the headlights that would make it easier to access to just flat out unplug them.
     
  17. Aug 4, 2020 at 2:58 PM
    #17
    tech1208

    tech1208 Old Salt, New truck

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    I tried. I don't get the whole Northern Lights thing anyway. Georgia is highly overrated, especially at night from Florida?!
     
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  18. Aug 4, 2020 at 4:04 PM
    #18
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    Ok, so I tried the following; Parking brake on, Headlight Auto-off Timer set to off (to speed up the testing) and Auto Headlight position on stick ON, then start engine. The daylight running lights stay off as long as the parking brake is kept on (great, this is how it should work) but, as soon as it's dark, the auto headlights come on. I'm starting to think that a headlight disconnect mod might be the only solution here due to the lack of headlight OFF setting on the stick.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]


    Correct! A lot of the time I'm also outside using Bulb mode as exposure time changes constantly due to Auroa strength. The problem is, after a while, fingers and toes do start to freeze at temperature like -30/40C, hence where the warm truck comes into play.
     
  19. Aug 4, 2020 at 4:07 PM
    #19
    Rgross2112

    Rgross2112 ASCM #5: Just like Sick and Disgusting

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    Share your Northern Lights pics!!!!
     
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  20. Aug 4, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    #20
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

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    Have you tried turning off the truck and pushing the lock button on the key fob twice?
     
  21. Aug 4, 2020 at 4:12 PM
    #21
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    No I haven't. What will that achieve?
     
  22. Aug 4, 2020 at 4:14 PM
    #22
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

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    I missed the part that you wanted them off with the engine running.......I don’t know that there is a way to achieve what you’re asking without doing a bypass.
     
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  23. Aug 4, 2020 at 4:20 PM
    #23
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    What happens if you turn the stalk to park lights on? Any chance it turns the headlights off (though if it works, it would still leave the park lights on, unfortunately)? I don't really know because I always drive with my lights on.
     
  24. Aug 4, 2020 at 4:24 PM
    #24
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    Yes, the parking lights stay on. I could do a duct tape special I guess. ;)
     
  25. Aug 4, 2020 at 4:27 PM
    #25
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    Here's a random (quality might be pretty awful on here)...

    2.1 sec @ f/1.8 ISO 2000 - Central Alberta.

    [​IMG]
     
  26. Aug 4, 2020 at 5:06 PM
    #26
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    Okay, try this:
    There's the ambient sensor on the dash close to where it meets the windshield. It's a little black dome about the size of a nickel. Take a jacket, towel, T-shirt, or whatever and a small flashlight. Turn the flashlight on and point it into the sensor using the cloth to prop it in place while also preventing light from escaping. Then with the headlamp switch in Auto and the park brake set, start the vehicle. If this works, maybe you could source a USB powered LED with a long enough wire to reach from the USB plug in the dash to the area of the sensor. It would only have to be bright enough to trip the sensor then you could just stuff the cloth such that no light escapes. The threshold to activate the Auto headlamps is adjustable but may only be accessible via Techstream, I'm not that familiar with the newer trucks that way.

    Let us know...
     
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  27. Aug 4, 2020 at 5:15 PM
    #27
    Rgross2112

    Rgross2112 ASCM #5: Just like Sick and Disgusting

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    That is awesome! Hope to see that in person some day. Very cool!!!
     
  28. Aug 4, 2020 at 5:15 PM
    #28
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Huh well I be damned, there is no off setting on the stalk. Soooooo can a replacement stalk be added with the off setting?
     
  29. Aug 4, 2020 at 5:17 PM
    #29
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Side note, I have seen the northern lights here in Oklahoma during deer season. My buddy thought there was a fire to the north, I told him what it was, he was like damn I have heard of that never thought I would see it. Was pretty cool and not every year you see it either.
     
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  30. Aug 5, 2020 at 9:15 AM
    #30
    Johnny_B500

    Johnny_B500 [OP] New Member

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    This thought also did cross my mind. I'll give it a try sometime this week and report back. On another note, Headlight Auto-on sensitivity can be changed, at least on the 2020s, under Light Settings.
     

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