99 Corolla headlights only work as DRL - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tonyend · 10-29-2005, 01:34 PM

Here's my problem: when I start my corolla, I have driving lights until the light sensor activates the dashboard lights. The dashboard light comes on, but headlights go off.

If I try to turn on my headlights with the switch, the dashboard lights come on, but the headlights do not; if they are on as DRLs, then they go off. If I shine a flashlight on the automatic light sensor, I can kill the dashboard lights and the headlights (DRLs) will come back on. (That might sound silly, but I thought I'd experiment.)

I figure I have a bad electrical relay somewhere, but I am not sure if I'm on the right track. I've swapped out the DRL relay under the hood but still have the issue. Has anyone else encountered this and/or have any suggestions?

cashcrazy · 10-30-2005, 09:58 PM

MY 1999 had some problems with the DRL so my parents put it in the shop before i bought it off them. After the mechanic replaced a few unneeded things they found out the problem was in the drivers side headlight. They replaced the whole light(they are fairly cheap on ebay) and no more problems. I think that their DRL would just not come on. I hope this helps.

tonyend · 11-01-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashcrazy

MY 1999 had some problems with the DRL so my parents put it in the shop before i bought it off them. After the mechanic replaced a few unneeded things they found out the problem was in the drivers side headlight. They replaced the whole light(they are fairly cheap on ebay) and no more problems. I think that their DRL would just not come on. I hope this helps.

Thanks. I don't think it's the headlight because it does work. It just doesn't come on with the on switch or when the light sensor activates.

OmarR · 11-02-2005, 11:35 PM

It's late for me, so this is just a quick answer...I think you definitely have a ground problem. Shoot me an email.

Bad_dude · 11-04-2005, 08:39 PM

So have you solved the problem? I would like to know since I have the 1999 Corolla VE, but no problem yet. I would like to know in case it does comes about.
Thanks.

tonyend · 11-16-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad_dude

So have you solved the problem? I would like to know since I have the 1999 Corolla VE, but no problem yet. I would like to know in case it does comes about.
Thanks.

No, still having the issue. I've tried replacing the DRL Relay behind the glove box to no avail I was sure that would be it since I checked the other relays. I've been too busy traveling to spend much time on it but it's bugging me. I've found other posts on various boards from others who've had the exact same issue over the years but no one ever posts what they did to fix the problem.

tonyend · 12-22-2005, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyend

No, still having the issue. I've tried replacing the DRL Relay behind the glove box to no avail I was sure that would be it since I checked the other relays. I've been too busy traveling to spend much time on it but it's bugging me. I've found other posts on various boards from others who've had the exact same issue over the years but no one ever posts what they did to fix the problem.

Well, the problem was a bad ground wire behind the driver-side kick panel. I finally had time between my traveling for work to take it to a dealer. The charge was $140 ($70/hr). Not too bad.

star2 · 10-01-2008, 04:06 PM

I have exactly the same thing. It's an 99 Corolla. When it's not dark, the switch in "off" position would have the headlights on. Turn the switch to auto/on will turn off the headlights. When I cover the light sensor so that it can sense loss of light, headlight is off regardless of which position I turn the switch.

Does anyone know which ground wire I should fix in this case?