Installing automatic headlight feature from another Toyota?

[andym1978]

Hi everyone,

I just bought a 2002 Camry LE I4 with 95,000 miles for my wife to replace her basic 2004 Corolla with 140+ K miles.

Her 2004 Corolla has automatic headlights that turn on when it gets dark out (from the factory). The 2002 Camry does not have this feature, and you can even see a dime sized plastic cover where the light sensor would normally go.

Here's my idea: We still haven't posted the Corolla for sale, so I was hoping to be able to transplant the automatic headlight sensor and components to the Camry. I normally find success when searching for info, but I am finding nothing on this subject. I see results for aftermarket systems which require a lot of splicing, but would prefer to use a stock Toyota system that I already have. Does anyone out there have any experience with something like this? I was also hoping to transplant the "stalk" if possible.

By the way: I absolutely love this car. I currently drive a 2007 Camry Hybrid, but this simple 2002 has so much character. The struts are a little tired, but everything else is great. We paid $5000 USD for it from her brother in law, who happens to be a mechanic. The finish is in better shape than my 2007!

[MJZ]

I'm sure it's possible but I don't even care about this feature in my own car that has it lol... is it a big deal for her?

[HeatherA]

My daughter has a solution for her 2002 not having this feature, she just keeps her headlights on all the time. ;-)

[andym1978]

@MJZ
To be honest, my wife doesn't care too much about this kind of stuff. The real issue is that she is used to automatic headlights (it was her first car ever) and I know that she'll often forget to turn them on. I won't lie. A big part of it is that I still have a small part of me that can't help modifying/upgrading my cars, and this has always been one of my favorite "gadgets".

@HeatherA
Excellent idea! That's what I'll tell her to do. I'd much rather change her worn out headlight bulbs a bit more often than have her hit something after forgetting to turn them on. My biggest concern would have been her forgetting to turn them off (thus wrecking the battery), but these cars have that lovely feature that turns off the headlights for you after parking.

[GT-R]

How can someone not turn on the lights until they hit something?

Dawn = Light Off
Dusk = Light On

[gdanaher]

Had you wanted to do this back in the day that cars rarely had more than 5-7 fuses for the entire vehicle, I would say, sure, try to do it. Not now. Unless you can find a full electrical schematic and are willing to take apart both dash units in those cars, it just isn't worth the time.

[workerant]

really, the light sensor to turn on the headlight is NOT inside the cabin next to the windshield?

I agree with Heather, if the light turn off when engine off than leave it in the ON position.

Originally Posted by GT-R

How can someone not turn on the lights until they hit something?

Dawn = Light Off
Dusk = Light On

I always wonder if those ppl have radar eyes, maybe echo location thing like bats. But than again, they don't need to see cause they don't have any brain to relay what they see to be process.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

The good thing about our cars is that if you keep them on all the time, and you forget to turn them off, if you hit the lock button twice they go off (and turn back on once the car is started) or they time out and turn off themselves!

I have the auto on and i never use it.

[joshuaboston]

Day Time Running Lights save lives and are mandatory for Canada and Europe. Personally I would just leave the lights on all the time... this is your cheapest solution.


Anyone who imports a car from the US to Canada usually needs to get DTRL installed as ell as other safety features that the US don't deem mandatory. The funny thing is that the US has much more stringent emissions control laws.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

I disabled my DRL's and never been stopped for it.

[workerant]

Originally Posted by joshuaboston

Day Time Running Lights save lives and are mandatory for Canada and Europe. Personally I would just leave the lights on all the time... this is your cheapest solution.

DRL doesn't turn on the light in the back. ON or Park Light will do this better.

[joshuaboston]

Originally Posted by workerant

DRL doesn't turn on the light in the back. ON or Park Light will do this better.

DTRL saves lives... it is not about being hit from the behind during the day, it is all about head on collisions.

[workerant]

^ how? It add extra to the bumper? LOL People should see you all around, and since light is better seen than a black car on a gloomy dark day it is best to turn it on all around.

But than, with all the texting and paying more attention on the cell phone now a day it's like those crazy drivers don't even bother to look.

Oh well, every little extra helps.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Well if it is a rainy dark day i turn my parking lights on so front and back are lit up. But bright sunny day, no lights.

[workerant]

^ I leave mine in parking.