headlight shutoff question

[SexieWASD]

My old Camry (96 4d 4cyl) would shut off the headlights when you opened the drivers door. I found out today that my same year wagon v6 does not. I'm thinking that the door opens headlights go off feature is part of the VIP alarm that the four door has, but the wagon does not have. Can anyone confirm that?

If that is the case did the wagon ever come with the VIP system? I'm pretty sure the cabin wiring harness is completely different, but if it was an option I may be able to switch it over to the wagon without some major hacking involved.

[chronoti]

nope i have no alarm and mine shuts off, make sure when the drivers door is open the open door light is on the dash. i had to replace my door switch recently (same year)

[SexieWASD]

Thats actually what got me think ing that it was the alarm, I tested it after work and the dash light came on and it did not shut off the lights, so the door switch is working.

Actually now that i'm thinking about it I don't remember the door chime working either though. I didn't really notice because removing the peizo was the first thing I did when I got the four door.

[iovaykind]

The headlights only turn off if it happens in this sequence: Car is on, turn off car, then open door. If your lights are on when the car is off and door is open, closing and opening again won't turn it off. Nor will having the doors closed, having headlights on while car is off, and opening door.

In short, only when the car is on, then turned off, will the headlights turn off when doors open. Safety feature obviously, to keep from dead batteries.

[fenixus]

as far as I know the head lights shut off is built into the lights wiring and not into a security device circuit.

as above, check your door Ajar switch (or whatever it's called). make sure the dome light comes up when you open the door.

also as above mentioned, car must be shut off first before opening the driver door for lights shut off to happen.

[Mister_Perkins]

The Wagon / Coupe / Sedan all have the same Circuit for Auto-Light off:

[SexieWASD]

I think that I'll have to check out the integration relay where the switch is working and the buzzer and light shutoff is not.

[Mister_Perkins]

I have my piezo buzzer removed lights still turn off. I wonder if theres something inside the integration relay that stopped working ?

[LynchburgCSI]

^ Nope. It's the door switch itself. They LOVEEEE to get gummed up and stop working. Common issue. Take it apart and clean things up.

[Silent Runner]

Its a good system, shut off the lights when you shut off your car, and close the door. I really hate some of the newer cars that seem to have 5-10, minute timers on this!? Anyone else find themselves in a parking lot facing some stupid car with its lights still on for no frigging reason, and blinding you as you try to back out safely from your own spot. The door switches love to gum up as said above.

[LynchburgCSI]

^ My Expedition has a 10 second interval timer from key-off that goes up to 120 seconds. I leave it on 20 and call it day.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

^ Nope. It's the door switch itself. They LOVEEEE to get gummed up and stop working. Common issue. Take it apart and clean things up.

the only reason I was thinking that is because he said his Open door light turns on when he opened the door, which means the Switch would be working

[LynchburgCSI]

My door open light worked.... kind of. You may be onto something though.

[Mister_Perkins]

One thing you could try to do is next time you turn the camry off, open the door and fiddle with the door switch. Maybe it is messed up, but working good enough to indicate the door is open ?