Parking Lights Stay On

[Strobo43]

Browsed the site a bit and did not see this issue posted, help me if you can.1. Headlights turn on brighter automatically at dusk, but running/parking lights do not turn on at all unless I manually turn headlight switch on to either of the 2 on positions. (Found this out on evening as I was pulled over for no tail lights(brake lights work fine) and had to hunt for the on switch which I never hasd to use before as all lights used to turn on automatically at dusk as usual.2. With the ignition switch/engine off, key out of switch, I return the headlight switch to off, the headlights go out, BUT running/parking lights stay on. They only turn off about 1/3 the times after the 15 second inside lights fade out. 2/3 the times, the running/parking lights stay on even after using the remote to lock the doors, which flashes the running/parking lights.3. At this point they stay on until the battery is DEAD. Happened twice. since then I have found out only 2 ways to get the running/parking lights to turn off: A. Restart the car after manually turning off the headlight switch. B. Found out that after a few minutes unlocking the doors with the remote (which flashes the running/parking lights) and then the which flashes the running/parking lights turn off!!!Being out of warrenty, can someone direct me to which part of the sensor/relay assemble I should start replacing, and any diagrams/location info so I can get this system working properly again, I want to fall in love with my Vibe again!!!

[mcgusto82]

well have you done any mods to your vibe lately?. elctrical ones'.the alarm, when was that installed?. it seems like a ghost of a problem. there are 2 fuse boxes. there's one under the hood. a long vertical black cover adjacent to the battery.then there is one under the dashboard. adjacent to the A pillar on the driver's side. ( a pain in the (removed) to get to) can't tell you what fuse to pull, but they are all clearly labed. try that first.

[joatmon]

There are three main components that might be a problem: the headlight switch, the daytime running lights module, and the tail light relay. Of these, the tail light relay is the easiest to check. THen there is wiring, connections, and the possibility that there is some other weird problem and the lights are only a minor symptom.The tail light relay is in a junction block above the glove compartment. There are three identical relays in that block, you could swap the tail relay with one of the other two to see if the problem moves with the relay or is unaffected. THe top of the junction block looks like thisYou can look in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6403 to see how to free up the junction block to be able to see it better, but if you are just swapping relays you could probably snake your hand up over it and swap two of the relays without unscrewing the junction block. If it is the relay, then you could consier doign the mod in that thread since one of the fringe benefits is a spare relay. If not I think Toyota wants about $15 for one of those relays.That's the easiest and free one to check/replace, however, I would be more suspicious of the daytime running lights module, which controls all the lighting stuff. There are a lof threads about disabling the DRLs. I might consider trying to pick up a replacement DRL module from a junk yard. Not sure how to recommend testing the DRL module without just replacing it. a bad headlight switch could make the tail lights stay on, but I can't see how a bad switch would keep them from coming on at night when the DRL module tries to turn them on.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1156 has a link to a collection of PDF files of the Matrix service manual. I use them a lot, they would help you troubleshoot any wiring/connection problems. Although it is for a Matrix, the only real differences between your 03 vibe and the 03 matrix are the body styling related things.I have a 2003 Vibe, and when I shut the doors, the interior lights just shut off immediately. You said Quote »They only turn off about 1/3 the times after the 15 second inside lights fade out. I thought the fade out was something that was newe for the 2005 model year. Did you ever have the DRL module replaced before?Didn't notice the "add on alarm" until mcgusto's post. That could easily be responsible, but a generic aftermarket alarm is hard to know how that might be causing the problem, without specifics about the alarm system and diagrams of how it is wired in. Might be a good idea to double check all the connections for that thing.

[Strobo43]

Quote, originally posted by mcgusto82 »well have you done any mods to your vibe lately?. elctrical ones'.the alarm, when was that installed?. it seems like a ghost of a problem. there are 2 fuse boxes. there's one under the hood. a long vertical black cover adjacent to the battery.then there is one under the dashboard. adjacent to the A pillar on the driver's side. ( a pain in the (removed) to get to) can't tell you what fuse to pull, but they are all clearly labed. try that first.Hi mcgusto82,Thanks for the idea, but what fuse am I looking for and why?My first thought is the one for the alarm to disable it? I will take a look see..

[Strobo43]

Hi joatmon,Thanks for the great post full of ideas. I will go thru all of them to try to weed out the problem.I disconnected the sensor on the dash to no effect....Quote, originally posted by joatmon »There are three main components that might be a problem: the headlight switch, the daytime running lights module, and the tail light relay. I would be more suspicious of the daytime running lights module, which controls all the lighting stuff. There are a lof threads about disabling the DRLs. I might consider trying to pick up a replacement DRL module from a junk yard. Not sure how to recommend testing the DRL module without just replacing it.I have downloaded and poked around the repair manual(THANKS!!) Most of what I need is right there.. A really great link!!!!Can you guide me as to what the DLR module looks like, and how to get to the DLR module under the dash? Quote, originally posted by joatmon »I thought the fade out was something that was newe for the 2005 model year. Did you ever have the DRL module replaced before?Well I bought this in April of '03 just before the 2004 came out and have not made any Mods other than listed, so the fade out was stock at that time. (made 02/03)Looking forward to more info posts!!!