Matrix newbie with headlight problem who needs an answer ASAP. Pulling my hair out!!

[jettvolks]

So take it easy on me guys. Wife's 03 headlights (low beams only) went out the other night when we were out. Had to take the backroads so I could run the brights for 2 hours to get home on a normally hour drive.

I've checked all fuses, lights, relays (that I can) and still nothing. Got an appointment at the stearlership tomorrow but would really like to get this figured out beforehand so I know that they are not going to soak me when they fix it.

Is it posible that it's the DRL relay? Local part stores don't have a listing for it so I could swap it out myself.

The DRL do not work but fogs and highbeams work. Only way to actually get the lights on is manually turning on the switch. Use to be automatic by leaving the switch on but now that doesn't work. Kinda what led me to believe that it's the DLR.

Please guys help me out as the wife is steaming that I have not figured this out yet.

Randy

[TRXR4KDS]

The DRL module is a little black box under the steering column. Sorry, in Canada the trixes don't have auto on lights so I can't sya if it could be the module.

[jettvolks]

I've locatated the module and pulled it out. Doesnt have the burnt smell but you never know.

Called the dealer and the part is $218 and change and really hate the thought of paying that much for a part that might not fix the problem.

Local salvage yards are not much help as none have anything this new to try one from a wrecked car to avoid soaking a bunch of cash into new one.

I have no low beams at all and only thing I can figure that since this module sends voltage to the lows (for DRL) that with it malfunctioning that it is causing the lows to not work in any position of the headlight switch.



Randy
Still pulling out my hair.....

[new echo owner]

You mentioned you checked all the fuses, did you just check to see if they are good or did you check for power at both lower beam fuses too? Did you check for power at the head light sockets?

N.E.O.

[jettvolks]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

You mentioned you checked all the fuses, did you just check to see if they are good or did you check for power at both lower beam fuses too? Did you check for power at the head light sockets?

N.E.O.

NEO,

I have checked the main HL fuse (40A) and both of the low beam fuses (both 10A), checked for voltage at the low beam sockets (no power there), I do have power at the low beam fuses that works in conjunction with the dimmer. Dimmer in low beam pos. there is power to low beam fuses, in high beam pos. no power to low beams (as is to be expected).

Just today I drove for 2 hours (1 way) to a salvage yard that had a matrix in it. Found the DRL relay assembly and swapped it out. Still no low beams at all. I'm at a loss as to what is causing this. I have even checked the grounds but is kind of redundant since there is no juice to the plugs at the bulbs.

Randy,
Not much hair left..........

[TRXR4KDS]

Could it be the auto on sensor?

[jettvolks]

Originally Posted by TRXR4KDS

Could it be the auto on sensor?

This is the one thing that I have not physically checked. I know if I covered it up the headlights (just parking and fogs) would come on but still not the low beams. I figured that this meant it was functioning as it should.

I am going to dig into this again on Sunday and if I have to I am going to rob power from the fog lamps to power the low beams. I will do away with the fogs alltogether as they work the same as the low beams with the auto on sensor.

Randy

[new echo owner]

Check your grounds for the DRL relay, especially terminal 2, white/black wire. If you can run a separate ground to that terminal and see if the lights work.

N.E.O.

[jettvolks]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Check your grounds for the DRL relay, especially terminal 2, white/black wire. If you can run a separate ground to that terminal and see if the lights work.

N.E.O.

I will check this out when digging also. Thanks for the options as I really have no idea on these toyotas. I know the wife loves this car.

[vibe fan]

Hi, please respond if you find out what's wrong with your headlights, as mine just started doing the same thing -- but I drive an 03 Vibe. The dealer is stumped, so I looked online and found that you seem to be having the same problem (parking lights, fog lamps, brights, but no low beams). They put new lights in, and they worked, but after the car sat for a few hours, the same thing happened!

[jettvolks]

Found the problem after some more diggin.

I'm a big idiot! Stupid me didn't realize I was checking the high beam bulbs and not the lows. Then one day last week one of the wifes co-workers said that she had noticed one light out on the Matrix.

Live and learn I guess.

[TRXR4KDS]

Heh, the high beams are the easy ones to get at, the lows are a b!tch!