DIY: Disable Autolights/ Keep DRLs

[ixNismOxi]

alright guys so i tried doing the autolight switch mod and it was a success! No autolights AND working DRLs originally, as u all know I promised u guys i would try it and post a DYI.
However, after i tried it i decided not to because it was a complete fail lol. I actually think i broke the sensor in the process of doing this mod that's why the autolights don't work anymore lol. at least I got the desired results though lol so I don't really care that i broke it.
TimmyFBabyy pm'd me though asking if i had tried the mod and i said to myself wth i'll post it anyways because he really wanted to do this mod too.
Enough with the rant! Let's start the DYI!


ATTENTION! I do not recommend you try this unless u don't ever want your sensor to work again haha. I you don't care about it then knock yourself out and try it

Sorry in advance if the pics look blurry. cellphone cameras aren't meant for close ups lol


Tools Needed:
- Flat head screw driver (I show 2 different ones in the pic but u only need one)
- Pocket knife (or anything thin and small that u can use as a wedge and lever to pop off the sensor dome cover)
- Small amount of time



Ok so I started out by trying the wedge the screwdriver down the side of the dome cover so i could take the pocker knife and slide it under to pop the dome off. This took me at least 20 min because the screwdriver kept sliding out right wen i tried wedging the pocket knife under That's why the dome ended up with scratches on the side. That and I was frustrated that the damn thing wouldn't want to come out lol




I managed to somehow break one of the clips that holds the dome down and it popped off from one side. I held it in place so i could slide the knife under.




I then used the knife to pry it out of place. I can't show you how i held the dome in place and slid the knife under cuz i only have to hands and i needed one to take the pic lol




So this is where the twist in the story comes in I was feeling around (dome was completely off) trying to take the sensor out and i feel the top of it and there was some kind of liquid (apparently the sensor is covered with a thin layer of some kind of gel?) i got scared cuz i thought i had screwed something up so i put the dome back on lol little did I know that the mod was a success! lol i had gone out in the evening and noticed that the lights wouldnt turn on automatically when it got dark so i thought "oh s**t, it worked!"




This is the aftermath. The side of the sensor kind of got scratched because the screwdriver kept sliding off when I was trying to wedge it through the crack. I recommend using a small one so it doesn't end up like mine. I don't really care that it's scratched. It's not like anyone is going to look down there haha. Other than that, I am very happy with this mod fail/win haha.



AGAIN, i do not recommend you try this if you want to make your autolights work again in the future. Hopefully this ends up on the DYI thread under the FAIL/WIN category lol I would be glad to be the first in the category


Just let me know if you guys have any questions

[diablo2184]

ssoooo......you wipe off the gel and it disables the sensor?

pretty much all you did was remove the dome and place it back on?

[ixNismOxi]

Originally Posted by diablo2184

ssoooo......you wipe off the gel and it disables the sensor?

pretty much all you did was remove the dome and place it back on?

yea im guessing

well i also tried taking the sensor out by wedging it with the pocket knife but it wouldn't budge so i just put the dome back on. im guessing something came loose or broke wen i tried taking the sensor off.

[SuperchargedMR2]

I think if you used a very small screwdriver for glasses that you could get it in the slot on the cover without too much hassle.

[ChancreScolex]

Glad it worked for you but that is probably the worst way to go about it. I originally discovered this mod when I had work done at the dealership. They left the sensor disconnected which gave the results you got, at which time many people were interested in.

If I were to do this, I would remove the stereo and reach back there and try to disconnect it the right way. I prefer not to destroy things when I do mods (if I can help it lol).

[diablo2184]

Do you know where the connector is? I would like to just disconnect that in case I sell the car or something....

[ChancreScolex]

Originally Posted by diablo2184

Do you know where the connector is? I would like to just disconnect that in case I sell the car or something....

No idea where it is. I bet Jeff would know or be able to find out though. I think the only other option is the headlight stalk from a camry that allows you to switch off autolights. Pretty sure it's just a simple swap.

[ekimnal]

Originally Posted by diablo2184

Do you know where the connector is? I would like to just disconnect that in case I sell the car or something....

Originally Posted by flamedrgn

ill figure out where the plug for the sensor is...probably would be easier.

Edit...nevermind, i read the directions from toyota on how to "replace" the autolight sensor and it requires your whole dash including cluster to be removed. i'm not willing to do that.

[ixNismOxi]

Originally Posted by SuperchargedMR2

I think if you used a very small screwdriver for glasses that you could get it in the slot on the cover without too much hassle.

Yea that would be perfect. I don't have any of those though so i had to do with what i had haha

[ixNismOxi]

Originally Posted by ChancreScolex

Glad it worked for you but that is probably the worst way to go about it. I originally discovered this mod when I had work done at the dealership. They left the sensor disconnected which gave the results you got, at which time many people were interested in.

If I were to do this, I would remove the stereo and reach back there and try to disconnect it the right way. I prefer not to destroy things when I do mods (if I can help it lol).

Yea but I woudn't want to do all that work just for a simple mod though. anyways no one ever looks in that area so I don't really care if it was "destroyed" imo.

[ChancreScolex]

Originally Posted by ixNismOxi

Yea but I woudn't want to do all that work just for a simple mod though. anyways no one ever looks in that area so I don't really care if it was "destroyed" imo.

It's more of a precaution in case I ever had to return my car to stock.

[Dimaoala]

Originally Posted by ChancreScolex

No idea where it is. I bet Jeff would know or be able to find out though. I think the only other option is the headlight stalk from a camry that allows you to switch off autolights. Pretty sure it's just a simple swap.

Thats the same with my sisters IS300. Wonder if it would be a simple swap...

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by ixNismOxi

Yea but I woudn't want to do all that work just for a simple mod though. anyways no one ever looks in that area so I don't really care if it was "destroyed" imo.

Just order a Dashmat without the sensor hole & it will look better & cover the damaged sensor.

[TimmyFBabyy]

soooo...has anyone else tried this mod yet? without too many scratches i hope. lol

i just want one more person to clarify this actually works.