DRL won’t shut off

[CueTiPs35]

Hi ..)
I have a 1990 Corolla 4 door wagon…
My problem is sometimes the DRL headlights and bumper lights won’s shut off…
Plus,,, after I’ve pulled the key out of the ignition,,, get out,,, close the door,, I would hear that chime that plays for the ignition…
I have to wait for about a minute and then open and close the back door or hatch few times and then the lights shut off…
This sounds like a short,,,, right..?
Or is there a sensor for the DRL lights…?
Thanks..)

[REN69]

It's hard to say, I would think maybe a faulty relay or even a faulty switch (which ends up being the whole lever on the steering column replaced).

I don't think there is a sensor, although with my car is weird as there seems to be some kind of sensor that shuts my lights off when I leave them in the ON position on the lever, as soon as I turn off the car the lights will go OFF but when I put the key back in the ignition (say when you come back later on) then the lights turn ON. Somehow this feature only works sometimes, not all the time and I've never been able to tell how or why, or if this even was a feature or just a fluke

However yeah, the DRL's on my car do turn off all the time, haven't experienced this problem yet.

[RED91SR5]

If the chime for the key in the ignition still goes off when you take the key out I'd say the little button switch on top of the ignition switch that detects the key is in or out is broken or loose. You'll have to take the covering off to get to it but I've seen them loose or even off on some cars. I think, the DRL will stay on until the key has been detected out of the switch.

[CueTiPs35]

Looks like it was the little button switch on top of the ignition switch..
When I got to that switch it was dirty with lint and dust,,, cleaned it up and everything seems find now..)
Thanks RED91SR5..!

[CueTiPs35]

Ok,,, the problem came back..(
So now I've replaced the little switch ontop of ignition and I've repalce the ingnition cylinder and the problem happen again last night..(
I disconnect the wire for the little switch on top of the ignition,, and the light were stll on... plus when i start the engine with that wire discontected the light still comes on,,, so that little switch,,, had nothing to do with the lights

What's next in line to look at and replace..
Thanks Gang..)

[RED91SR5]

Originally Posted by CueTiPs35

Ok,,, the problem came back..(
So now I've replaced the little switch ontop of ignition and I've repalce the ingnition cylinder and the problem happen again last night..(
I disconnect the wire for the little switch on top of the ignition,, and the light were stll on... plus when i start the engine with that wire discontected the light still comes on,,, so that little switch,,, had nothing to do with the lights

What's next in line to look at and replace..
Thanks Gang..)

I guess you don't have a spare headlight module you can swap out to see if yours is screwed?

[CueTiPs35]

yes,,, I can get that
were is the headlight module located..?

[RED91SR5]

Originally Posted by CueTiPs35

yes,,, I can get that
were is the headlight module located..?

If memory serves it's behind the panel under the steerwheel to the left near the speaker. You'll have to remove the left speaker panel possiblely to get at it easily. It will say headlight/DRL module and is a yellow box in 1990, I think.

[CueTiPs35]

I found a Toyota Relay Running Light box behind the left speakerbox..
It's beige...
I have access to a Corolla for parts so I've replace it..
I forgot to mention in my first post that this problems only happens 70% of the time... so,,, I'll have to wait and see if this works...
Thanks for letting me know on what to try RED91SR5..)

[CueTiPs35]

The car was doing good for a few days with the lights shutting down when their supposed to..) and then the problem came back today...
Intermittent electrical problems are not fun...!
So,,,I started with key cylinder,,,then,,,cylinder switch,,,and now Toyota Relay Running Light box,,,
RED91SR5 do you know what's next in the maze of electrical components for the lighting system...? I hope it's not a ground problem..
Peace..)
CueTiPs35

[CueTiPs35]

Late tonight I was unloading stuff out the back hatch with the engine running and when i closed my back Hatch,,, I noticed the liecence plate light was flikering off and on,,,hmmmm,,, Looks like the light comes on when the lactched is closed,,,, so,,,, were is the switch for that light,,, I don't see it around the frame,,, is it built into the latch...?
Thanks..)
Cuetips

[CueTiPs35]

Ok,,, I went a did a test over and over tonight,,,

When the engine is running and the liecence plate light is on,,, I shut off the engine and the lights goes off..)
When the engine is running and the liecence plate light is not on,,,, I shut off engine and the lights stay on....
I did this test quite often and same results..)
I noticed the light switch for the liecence light is not in the latch,,, because the light comes on before the latch closes...
So were is the swtich ...?
In the door strut...?
Peace..)
Cuetips

[RED91SR5]

Originally Posted by CueTiPs35

Ok,,, I went a did a test over and over tonight,,,

When the engine is running and the liecence plate light is on,,, I shut off the engine and the lights goes off..)
When the engine is running and the liecence plate light is not on,,,, I shut off engine and the lights stay on....
I did this test quite often and same results..)
I noticed the light switch for the liecence light is not in the latch,,, because the light comes on before the latch closes...
So were is the swtich ...?
In the door strut...?
Peace..)
Cuetips

Sorry for the late reply, I'll on vacation out west for a couple weeks.

Ok, the switch for the trunk/hatch light is usually on the latch lock/key lock itself I think but i've never worked on a wagon before.

It's sounding more and more like a grounding or short circuit problem. I'd start by disconnecting the trunk latch switch, (where ever it is), and any related circuits and run the car and work back from there slowly reconnecting all the circuits involved over time to see what it is. Sorry I can't be more help, finding wiring issues can be a real bitch.

[CueTiPs35]

Hi RED91SR5
I open up the back hatch to find all the connectors were all oiled up from earlier years of rust proofing... Cleaned the connectors,, works like new now..)
Even my brake lights are brighter..)
Thanks again for the help
Cheers..
CueTiPs