Headlights Delay on Camry 2008

[VCJ]

Does somebody knows how to eliminate the timing at all. I had the dealer to reduce the timing to 0, but I still have to open the door for them to turn off. I have the remote start installed into the car with a Viper alarm system and if it is dark or even into the garage if I remote start the Camry and then turn it off with the remote you would have to go and open the door for the headlights to turn off. How could I have this car to turn the headlights off as soon as I turn the key off. Even it it involves switching some cables somewhere. Thanks

[GT-R]

Isn't it better to just switch it off manually by hand? That's what I do everytime I get out of the car cause I have HIDs.

[bandit]

Turn on and off your headlights manually. If you remote start your car, DRL's and parking lights should come on. When you take full control of car, turn it on manually from the stalk. I dont know why people use auto or why its even included. You have idiots on highways or streets who have it on DRL or some other stalk setting thinking the headlights are on. Which the DRL isnt even bright enough to light up the road and tailights dont even light up unless brakes are pressed.

I was driving home and a FJ cruise had no lights on except for their 4 foglights on their push bar. Luckily the car was silver and I have retrofitted headlights. If the car was black and had crappy headlights, I wouldnt have seen them.

[Mozram]

Originally Posted by dcemureviews

You have idiots on highways or streets who have it on auto and the headlights dont even come on

When it's on AUTO aren't the headlights suppose to turn on when dark? Guess I'm one of those idiots. Mine is on AUTO almost 100% of the time cause I thought the headlights turn on by themselves. I need to watch out for that.

[bandit]

Originally Posted by Mozram

When it's on AUTO aren't the headlights suppose to turn on when dark? Guess I'm one of those idiots. Mine is on AUTO almost 100% of the time cause I thought the headlights turn on by themselves. I need to watch out for that.

Actually you're right, for our car, if set on AUTO, it switches between DRL and headlights based on darkness. But even with that I'm not fond of using. I'll turn it on when I need it and turn it off when I dont. DRL's are ugly.

What I meant to say was DRL or whatever other stalk setting other cars may have.

Sometimes I just want to hi-beam them non-stop or pull up next to them and yell at them to turn on their headlights. Not only is it dangerous for them to drive since they cant see but its also dangerous for other drivers because we cant see them. Its worse when you're driving on a highway in a semi-dark area and the car has no lights on. What makes it even worse is that its obvious that they cant see the road because their headlights are off, the dash or buttons on the dash/radio is pitch black and they still dont turn on headlights. I've gotten close calls where I would change a lane and I wouldnt know they were there if I looked from side view mirror until only after I changed lanes that there was a car or they start honking. Its semi noticeable if there is on-coming traffic because the headlights will give a silohette of the car in front. /end ranting

[Netforcer]

just press lock twice to shut off the lights

[GT-R]

^ That too.

[catric69]

Also, If you have your e-brakes engaged before you start your vehicle the lights will not turn on.

[workerant]

Auto means it'll detect the light and turn on headlight if it's Dark Enough.

When Auto doesn't work:

- Rain/snow/fog during the day. Not dark enough so headlight is OFF. And no headlights mean no tail lights and no fog lights. Some State law require headlights to be on when whippers are ON.

- Momentary stop under a bridge. It's dark enough so Auto switch the headlights ON and switch back off when you pass the bridge. Not good to have headlights ON/Off constantly.


The other day I was driving home. The road was almost pit black and I drove up to this car with it's headlight off and he was driving very slow, I'm guessing cause he can't see. I flash him several times and he still don't know to turn on his headlights. So I put more distance between him and turn off my headlights too. He finally understood, turned on his headlights and speed up to normal.

[Mozram]

Originally Posted by workerant

Auto means it'll detect the light and turn on headlight if it's Dark Enough.

When Auto doesn't work:

- Momentary stop under a bridge. It's dark enough so Auto switch the headlights ON and switch back off when you pass the bridge. Not good to have headlights ON/Off constantly.

It's bad for the headlights to turn on/off constantly? I need to be more careful. What type of problems will it cause?

When going into a tunnel or dark underpass during the day I always liked the fact that the headlights turned on/off by themselves. Thought it was safer that way. We have a lot of tunnels and underpasses here in Seattle.

[Yazovets]

Originally Posted by Mozram

It's bad for the headlights to turn on/off constantly? I need to be more careful. What type of problems will it cause?

When going into a tunnel or dark underpass during the day I always liked the fact that the headlights turned on/off by themselves. Thought it was safer that way. We have a lot of tunnels and underpasses here in Seattle.

That's only in the theoretical sense. Specifically for xenon lights, the ignition process each time you turn them on wears them out quicker as compared to just leaving them on. But these are very small, theoretical difference in wear/tear and basically don't worry about it.

Diesel engines are the same way - it "costs" you less to leave it idling rather than re-ignite the engine each time. Diesels don't like short trips and also you'll notice most trucks and buses always idle. Sometimes that's because the tax-payer is paying for the fuel (in the case of buses) but other times to prolong the engine's life.

[GT-R]

What about when you push the panic button, your headlights will go on and off right? Is this bad for your HIDs?

[carlo$]

I think the installer of the remote and alarm misedwired something.

[VCJ]

I know the easiest way is to turn them off manually but I want to take advantage of the auto lights. It is really convenient not having to thing about turning on and off when you get out of the car, I know the inconvenience of the raining time but I always make sure I turn them on then. Hitting the lock on the remote twice does not work that only work when the timing is running and that only happens when you open the door and close it again. I need the lights to turn off as soon as I turn the switch off. There must be a wiring alteration that can do that but I cannot find the timer. I also try locating the cable that keeps the electricity running (timed wire) that goes into the light switch to exchange it by a wire that is dictated by the ignition switch (switched wire) but I cannot find any wire that keeps the electricity going after the ignition switch is turned off. I heard once that Toyota's lights work with negative pulses and they are a totally different system than the regular positive system... ANY INPUT??

[bandit]

It could be a safety feature or like when you turn off the car and removed key, that you still have a couple of seconds to roll up window or close whatever without inserting key again.