Mod: Disabling Automatic Headlights

Note: I debated about whether this should go in the Canadian forum, or the 3rd Gen forum, however many Canadian Tacomas are being imported into the US because of the current shortage (my own truck was destined for Montana, until I snatched it up), so I chose to put it here.

This is actually a really easy mod, but I see a lot of people asking about it in various forums, so I thought I'd write it up.

If you drive a Canadian Tacoma, you may have noticed that your headlights no longer have an "OFF" switch. The only options are On, Parking, and Auto.

This is because in 2021, the Canadian government made it mandatory that auto manufacturers make it impossible for the average person to drive around at night without taillights.

More info here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/transport-canada-phantom-vehicles-1.4585686

Toyota chose to meet this requirement by installing automatic headlights in all new vehicles, and removing the "OFF" position from the stalk. Unfortunately, they chose to have them turn on the moment the vehicle is started, instead of waiting for the park brake to be released. There is no way to shut them off after nightfall, even when the vehicle is stationary.

This is fine 95% of the time, however I like to dabble in night sky photography, so it really isn't ideal to have the headlights come on if I need to start the engine in the middle of an exposure.

Other scenarios where this might be problematic are drive-in theaters, camping trips, and parking spots where your headlights shine directly into your neighbour's bedroom.

I tried installing a switch with the "OFF" position from an American model, hoping that I could keep the automatic functionality when I want it, however it appears that the ambient light sensor is either hardwired directly the ECU on Canadian models, or they have different software controlling it. Huge thanks to @Puppypunter for taking the time to help me with that, even though it didn't work out.

Fortunately, the ambient light sensor is located in the cover for the front passenger speaker, so you can easily access it without taking apart the whole dashboard.



1) Pop the cover off with a screwdriver or pry tool. Be careful not to scratch the plastic.



2) Disconnect the ambient light sensor. It's a tight space, but I was able to do it with two fingers.



3) It was hard to photograph, but there's a little slit right in front of the sensor. I secured the male end in there to prevent it from falling down into the dash, in case I ever want to reconnect it.



4) Snap the cover back in, and put your Truck Tribble back in his rightful place.



Now the "Auto" position on your stalk will function as an off switch, instead. The LCD screens even dim when you turn on the headlights, instead of waiting for the signal from the light sensor, like they did before. I'm guessing this is a safety feature to ensure you have manual control, in case the sensor ever burns out.

No warning lights pop up on the dashboard, which is a nice surprise.

Eventually I'll throw a switch in there so that I can turn the automatic headlights back on when I want them, but I've been driving for 28 years without automatic headlights, so I'm sure I'll manage without them for now.

 

Great info. Auto headlights. Well, let's just say that when I added a front camera and needed a place to put the switch I knew that the auto headlight switch was one I was never going to use - ever, so I made sure it was turned off and stuffed it inside the dash, but this is good to know for those whose trucks are configured like yours.

 

Correction if I may.
This actually happened in 1989 in Canada.
It applies to headlights (now daytime running lights) not tail lights.
Thanks

 

Daytime Running Lights became mandatory in 1989. However DRLs don't turn on the taillights.

Over the past decade, there's been an epidemic of phantom cars driving around in the dead of night without taillights (often in the middle of a blizzard). I see it daily throughout the winter months.

The Canadian government has now enacted new laws requiring that manufacturers make it impossible to drive around in the dark without taillights.

As of 2021, all new vehicles must have one or more of the following:

A) Taillights that activate with the Daytime Running Lights.

B) A dashboard that remains dark until the headlights are turned on. (I think the LCD screen disqualifies the Tacoma from using this option, even though the gauges do remain dark.)

C) Auomatic headlight that cannot be shut off.

Rather than redesign an existing model, Toyota chose to simply reprogram the ECU so that the automatic headlights cannot be shut off.

 

They are brutal at work, we cant turn the headlights off during re-flash ecm, so we need more powerful chargers to keep up with the heavy current draw.

I wish it was easier to disable, one trick we have is to put a flash light directly on the sensor during reflash, or set lights to marker only.

 

The flashlight was going to be my next option, but since the sensor can be unplugged without pulling apart the entire dashboard, I figured this would be less of a headache in the long run. Eventually I'll throw them on a switch, but it's not a priority.

 

This is for automatic headlights that come on when it gets dark outside, not the automatic high beams. But that switch can definitely go, if I ever need the space.

The BSM and wireless charger switch will probably never be toggled, either.

 

Very cool. Sorry we couldn't get it to work, but I am glad to see the work around.

 

Sorry (I'm Canadian) but another correction in my opinion only:
A) Taillights that activate with the Daytime Running Lights.
Taillights do not activate with DRL here
B) A dashboard that remains dark until the headlights are turned on. (I think the LCD screen disqualifies the Tacoma from using this option, even though the gauges do remain dark.)
Dashboards with DRL here are actually brighter than with headlights on.
That's why many Canadians drive at night with only drl on because they don't know headlights are off.
C) Auomatic headlight that cannot be shut off.
Actually it's DRL can't be turned off.

 

C: The new models you cant turn off the tail lights if you're in the dark, its stupid. Auto is off, which is on.

 

My 2023 with drl in the dark tail lights are off.

 

You have off mode? I'm mixed up then. Most toyotas are Auto, Marker, Headlight on. I forget if tacoma still has off. I'm a canadian dealer tech in Alberta so same region. The owners manual shows only auto, marker, light on. DRL off for US models.

 

That's the point. Traditional DRLs do not activate the taillights. Under the new legislation, manufacturers must change the DRL technology so that it DOES activate the taillights.

Many modern dashboards light up like a Christmas tree, even in the daytime when the headlights are off. Under the new legislation, manufacturers must keep the dashboard dark until the driver turns on the headlights.

Usually automatic headlights can be shut off. Under the new legislation, manufacturers must ensure that the automatic headlights cannot be shut off.

However, manufacturers do not have to do all three. They only have to implement one of the three options, as any one of them is enough to ensure that people turn on their taillights.

 

sorry, you're right

 

American Tacomas have an off mode. None of the Canadian ones that I test drove did.

You're allowed to have taillights that do not turn on with the DRLs, if the automatic headlights cannot be shut of. Manufacturers only need to implement one of the three options.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/transport-canada-phantom-vehicles-1.4585686

 

FIFY

 

I was trying to keep it professional, but that was definitely in the first draft.

I even flagged one woman down at a red light to let her know she had no taillights. Her reply? "Yes I do. I have daytime running lights"... and then she sped off into the thick fog.

 

I once flashed a co-worker relentlessly and blew past them turning my lights on and off trying to get them to turn on.

He came up to me. "Why were you flashing your lights?"

"ITS FOGGY AND DARK OUT."

"Oh, I thought auto meant they were on."

 

Ugh. The amount of people who don't know what flashing headlights means is astonishing.

 

I hate thos option as I like camping and I love the plug in the back of the truck. The problem is, you have to double press the start button to turn on the inverter and the bloody headlights don't shut off? Talk about a great way to kill your battery nevermind piss off your neighboring sites with your bliding headlights!

The truck isn't even started and I can't turn the headlights off? I find that just as stupid as the remote start that turns the truck off when you open the door to get in?? My partners Jeep doesn't do that so it's not an industry standard!!