3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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I have a 1993 Camry LE and both low beams are inoperative. The high beams work fine and so do the parking lights and interior lights (including dash). All fuses are good...I checked the voltage at the plug and there was none with low beams on, but normal with high beams. I didn't receive any voltage when I checked the fuse terminals to ground on both fuses. I don't know how to check the switch, but I'm thinking that is the problem. I was told that if you replace the switch, you should replace the enitre switch body (including wiper switch, etc.) not just the headlight switch. Can someone please confirm this and help me determine the probelm? I'm no mechanic, so be nice ! =) Thanks
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
Sounds like you can run a voltmeter or a test light, Thats good, There are some links to the 94 wiring info on this board that may be close enough to help you out. If you cant locate it let me know and I will try to get some info to you.
Have you tried to jiggle the headlights switch or turn off and on several times to see if anything different happens ?
Where exaclty is the headlight relay located? I'm pretty sure it's in the fuse box under the hood, but can you confirm this? Thanks! I did jiggle the switch and turn it on and off...I've had this problem for about 2 weeks now and the headlights have not turned on at all since. BTW, how do you test a relay with a multimeter?
if the high beams work at all then the 2 15amp fuses for the headlights, and the headlight relay both work.
if the highs only work when the flash is on (combo switch pulled, as opposed to headlights on on and on highbeams) then check to see if those lows are working too (use tape if necessary). the integration relay (or a loose white/black ground wire) is the problem if the lows work. if they don't then they have both blown out simultaneously.
check dome, guage fuses. I would skip the wiring manual and go straight for the body electrical system manual because it has both wiring and troubleshooting. but first things first, I think the bulbs are both blown - check continuity, and not by looking at them cause you can't always tell visually. Light bulbs can burn out around the same time, one bulb could have gone out before you noticed it, ie.
My Haynes manual shows a relay, that activated the low beams and disables the running lights. So if you turn your headlights on, and the running lights go off, the low beam relay is working. If that happens then power is not getting from the relay to the 15A headlight fuses, if the fuses check out good.
The relay is in the relay box by the air cleaner.
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
i've got the identical car, and the schematic on my desk for my foglight project. The cars in the us didn't have running lights for the 1993 model year. The reason that both 15 amp fuses and the headlight relay are proven fully operational is that the highbeams work and they wouldn't work unless all three of those components worked. The canadian models operate very differently and are wired very differently from us models, they have extra fuses, fuseboxes, harnesses.
if highs work in both flash (pull anytime) and high (push, but only when headlights are on) then it's the bulbs or the ground point (behind where the driver side headlamp and side fender of the car meet right next to the battery). if the flashs work only when pulled then it's the integration relay or the combination switch.
Hey, you're right, the schematic I was looking at was for 1993 and earlier Canadian models.
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
I feel like an idiot! I tested the bulbs again at the plugs (this time I tested them the right way), and what do you know, 12 Volts! I just need new bulbs! I almost spent $175.00 on a new headlight switch...thank god for finding this website and asking you guys first! It's not too often both bulbs burn out at the same time...wierd! Thanks again for taking the time to help me!
If both bulbs blew out at the same time I would check the output of your alternator. Both blowing out at the same time is a vary rare thing. If the internal regulator in the alternator goes bad, it could be overcharging. This could blow out both low beam headlights, along with other electricals. Use a DVM to check the output of the alternator while the car is runing. Just touch the 2 probes to the 2 battery terminals and read the meter. Rev the engine a bit. It should never go over 14.75 volts. It only takes a couple of minutes to check, just to be safe.
Mike
Last edited by Mike Gerber; 01-13-2005 at 12:28 PM.
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