Lights draining battery - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

drk · 01-24-2011, 01:21 PM

I have a 2003 Matrix. When it is really cold outside (less than 10 degrees), my headlights are coming on overnight by themselves and drain my battery. After jump starting my car, I have to drive for 10 to 15 minutes for the automatic lights system to activate. Once the car is warm, it works as its suppose to work until I have a very cold night again. Any suggestions to the cause?

***arabianobsession*** · 01-24-2011, 03:25 PM

Your headlights randomly come on in the middle of the night?

aspen007 · 01-24-2011, 07:23 PM

Your problem may be a faulty headlight switch.

Toyota issued service bulletin EL003-03 for the 2003 Matrix and Corolla indicating that the combination headlight/turnsignal switch can go bad and occassionaly cause the headlights to come on even though the switch is in the OFF position.

Toyota recommends replacing the headlight switch. It's part number 84140-02170 (without fog lights) and 84140-02200 (with fog lights). A replacement OEM Toyota part will cost you $150-200 from the dealer. You can buy a used OEM switch on Ebay for about $50.

If you are at all handy, the replacement is pretty easy.

mikered30 · 01-24-2011, 07:33 PM

Hey neighbor. Becareful when you buy a used one, you may get a faulty one or they dumped it on ebay when they had the same problem.

drk · 01-25-2011, 10:57 AM

arabianobsession...That's correct it come on randomly in the middle of the night, but only when it's extremely cold. Saturday and Sunday temperatures were between 0 - 10 degrees and the lights came on. Last night it was down to 19 degrees and the lights worked fine.

aspen007...Was that a recall from Toyota or just a problem area?

***arabianobsession*** · 01-25-2011, 11:45 AM

^It's a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin). Not so much a recall, but something Toyota put out to dealerships to let them know of the issue.

mikered30 · 01-25-2011, 05:46 PM

http://www.matrixowners.com/tsb/T-EL003-03.pdf

drk · 02-01-2011, 09:16 AM

Thanks guys...anyone know how difficult the switch is to get to? I don't mind doing the work myself, but if it involves removing a lot of other parts to get to it, I might as well have Toyota replace it. Without a garage equipped with the proper tools and equipment, it can cause more problems.

aspen007 · 02-01-2011, 10:32 AM

It's pretty easy to replace the turn signal switch and doesn't require any special tools. Here is a walkthrough I found. Sorry I don't have the original poster's name to give proper credit.

First tilt the steering wheel down and remove the three Phillips screws from the lower half of the plastic steering column cover. One screw is on the bottom side of the cover just to the right of the steering wheel tilt adjust lever. The other two are on the front of the lower cover and may be hidden by the steering wheel, turn the steering wheel from side to side while looking at the cover through the steering wheel and you'll find them.

With the screws out, pull down on the plastic cover to separate and remove the lower half. Push up and to the right to remove the upper half.

The switch is held in place without any bolts or screws, just a plastic tab. Use the tip of a screwdriver blade to depress the black plastic retaining tab on the turn signal switch, remove the switch and disconnect the white wiring harness.

Install the new switch making sure to line up the tabs with the metal bracket and push till it seats. Reconnect the wiring harness. Test you work.

Replace the steering wheel covers, top first. This is the only part that takes a little patience. Be gentle, it will snap back into place. Once the top cover is in place, replace the lower cover and install the screws.

mikered30 · 02-01-2011, 10:50 AM

I found the hardest part was removing the upper half from the lower half. Don't rush and take your time.