'95 Camry XLE Headlights Won't Work - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

MagicJigPipe · 04-14-2008, 12:40 PM

1995 Toyota Camry XLE 4 Cylinder

Okay, I know this sounds simple but allow me to explain.

At first when I tried to start the car the starter motor sounded like it was having problems turning but the car would still start. About a month later it was so bad that it required a jumpstart every time. Then it got so bad that I had to sit there and turn the ignition over and over while somebody moved the alligator clips on the jumper cables to get a perfect connection. Eventually it got to the point to where it would sometimes take a good 10 minutes to get it started.

One night I was getting frustrated and it I thought I heard the starter starting to turn so I left the ignition engaged for longer than I should have. I saw a small amount of smoke coming from the engine area and after that it would no longer "click".

Well, I changed out the starter and it still wouldn't work. So, I rigged up a switch that ran the "small" wire of the starter to the positive terminal on the battery so the starter could be switched on and off from inside the car. You know, turn the key to the on position then switch the starter on and then off real quick to start it. It works perfectly.

One problem. Now the headlights won't come on. Everything else works (even the gauge lights) and all of the fuses appear to be good. When I try to turn the lights on I hear a clicking sound coming from underneath the driver dash by the pedals. It is a little block box with a small plastic "dial". I have read that it is some kind of relay for the headlight/turn signal switches. I am about to go outside and have a look at it.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be my problem here?

Also, I have determined that the starter issue is most likely an ignition problem.

Thanks, in advance.

BlueFusion6851 · 04-14-2008, 12:50 PM

Yeah, the copper disc on your starter is probably corroded and all crapped out, might as well replace the whole starter if you're gonna go down that road.

...Anyway, The issue is with relays/fuses, check all your headlight fuses and make sure they aren't blown. The clicking is the relays making contact, but they may also be fried as well. If you replace them all, it should work. GL

MagicJigPipe · 04-14-2008, 05:07 PM

Well, I rechecked the fuses and cleaned the leads. They're good so that's not it. Technically, if the relay is switching then it shouldn't be that either unless the contacts are dirty. I believe that is VERY unlikely as they are inside the vehicle and the other relays that are outside under the hood are still good.

The reason I haven't checked the relays yet is because it's nearly impossible to get the right one out. It's "sandwiched" in between 2 other relays AND it's at an awkward angle under the dash. I have never seen such a hard relay to get to. But I can definitely hear and feel the relay clicking on and off when the headlight switch is activated.

God I hope it's not a wiring issue. Since I have my starter on a direct path to the positive battery post could this be causing it? My lights started not working after I "rigged" the starter to work. And as far as I know I reconnected all of the wiring.

MagicJigPipe · 04-15-2008, 07:17 PM

Hey guys. I'm really stuck here. I can't drive at night until I get this fixed and I REALLY need to.

I suppose I could give some more information.

When I turn the headlight switch on the steering "column" all my gauge lights come on and my clock dims. So at least that is doing what it is supposed to do. I hear a clicking of a relay under the dash on the left side when I turn it on and off. Both light bulbs are good. Fuses good.

I did some looking around and figured out that the starter is on a direct path to the battery anyway and if the wires were damaged then it shouldn't make a difference. SHOULDN'T...

Since my ignition is probably bad is there ANY way that that could be causing this?

Someone please help!

MagicJigPipe · 04-17-2008, 06:12 PM

The relays are good, by the way.

God, this car is falling apart but I have no choice put to keep wasting money on it.

The CV Boot is cracked open to where all the grease leaked out. Now it is "clicking". Breakage will happen in about 5,000 miles. That's my guess.

I finally just decided to spend $25 at Radio Shack to buy some wires to rig the headlights through a fuse to the battery and a switch inside the car to turn them on and off. I'm about to do that right now.

Now, as if that weren't enough, the check engine light is coming on and every time I take it to AutoZone to run a diagnostic it goes off... Arggggg.g.....

Thanks for everyone's help, by the way. Haha!