Problem with lights.

[Grantstead]

Unfortunately, nothing closer to the full problem would fit in the title. I have an odd set of problems with the headlights on my Yaris. It's a 2007 hatchback, pretty basic - no CC or side airbags, but it does have power windows and locks.

First off, you know how when you switch to high beams, it still illuminates the roadway immediately in front of your vehicle? Mine only does that on the right. On the left, it switches to high-only, providing illumination far down the road but not directly in front of my Yaris. I thought it might be the bulbs, so I removed my bumper and replaced the bulbs...only to have it still do the same thing.

The previous owner of my Yaris replaced the wiring harness on the right-hand side and crimped the wires to attach them (only the headlight harness, no others). However, I took it to a mechanic and they said that the harness is getting just as much juice as it's supposed to, and both headlights are equally bright in low-beam. (though it appears that the left side's bulb is pulled about 1/2"-3/4" further back from the reflector cover thingamajig than the bulb on the right side)

Aaaand that's not all. For whatever reason, only my right DRL works...and only sometimes. It flashes when I arm/disarm the alarm like it's supposed to, but it also comes on when my parking lights are on, and when I turn on my headlights. The one on the left won't turn on under any circumstances (even though I just replaced both bulbs), and neither turn on when my car is in gear (unless my parking or headlights are on, in which case only the right-side's DRL turns on).

I have no idea why this would be the case, and haven't had any luck finding information because it's such an odd set of symptoms.

[CTScott]

With the DRL issue, it sounds like the prior owner made a mess of the wiring. If you can post some pics of the wiring to the headlights on both sides, it can be sorted out.

With the high beam issue, it sounds like it is mechanical in nature. The reflector is a piece of stamped metal with a tab that mounts it to the bulb socket. If you pull the left side headlight off, you'll probably find that the mounting screw is missing.

[Grantstead]

When I removed the headlight, I made sure to peer inside at the reflector. Other than being bent a little out of place, it was the same as the other. Both were screwed in place, and both looked the same (once I bent the offending reflector back into position - to no avail, as the left-side high beam still functions as before). Though if you look closely, you can see what I mean by the left reflector appearing to be a bit longer. The stems on both are straight, too.

I just took a few pictures...you can tell I'd already popped the hood when I took the front view pictures.

Right-side headlight:
Front view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0027.jpg
Side view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0031.jpg
Alternate view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0028.jpg

Left-side headlight:
Front view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0026.jpg
Sorta-Side view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0030.jpg
Alternate view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0029.jpg

[CTScott]

When I removed the headlight, I made sure to peer inside at the reflector. Other than being bent a little out of place, it was the same as the other. Both were screwed in place, and both looked the same (once I bent the offending reflector back into position - to no avail, as the left-side high beam still functions as before). Though if you look closely, you can see what I mean by the left reflector appearing to be a bit longer. The stems on both are straight, too.

I just took a few pictures...you can tell I'd already popped the hood when I took the front view pictures.

Right-side headlight:
Front view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0027.jpg
Side view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0031.jpg
Alternate view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0028.jpg

Left-side headlight:
Front view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0026.jpg
Sorta-Side view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0030.jpg
Alternate view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0029.jpg

an you take pics of the actual wire connections to the bulb sockets and of where those red wires connect to the stock wires?

[Grantstead]

Right side for comparison: (no jury-rigged wires, though plenty of what looks like old conductive gunk)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0036.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0037.jpg

Left side:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0032.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0033.jpg

On the second picture, the middle stock wire (the set in the top half of the picture) looks green, but is actually blue. I'm sorry about the cruddy angle on the first picture, I didn't realize how bad it was until I uploaded it, and I have to leave for work. If you like, I'll take a better one and post it tonight when I get home.

[Lil Abner]

CTScott, if I'm looking at these pictures correctly, it looks like the new bulb plug is incorrectly wired? It's hard to tell since both sides of the car, the vehicle side wires don't seem to match.

[CTScott]

On the new connector, if I am seeing it correctly in the picture below, black is left, red/white is right, and red/blue is top. If that is the case, then it is incorrect.

On the left side, in the orientation of that picture (looking at the connector from the back, with the black wire to the left):
The original Gray wire should go to the top - Which is the red/blue, so it is correct.
The original Green wire should be on the left - Which is black, so it is incorrect.
The original Brown wire should be on the right - Which is red/white, so it is incorrect.

So, based on what I am seeing the Red/white and black wires are reversed.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/lancerzero/SANY0032.jpg

[Grantstead]

Awesome. I've already got a soldering iron, wire strippers, solder, and heat-activated shrink wrap to do the job properly. I'll switch 'em around tomorrow morning and post with the results. Thanks!

[Grantstead]

Well, crap. I just double-checked, and I'm glad I did, because the wires actually are attached in the way you said they should be. All three of them. The black wire does indeed connect to the original green/blue wire, and red-white connects to the brown wire. Unless you meant to say that's how they are connected, and they shouldn't be? I've tried numerous searches and haven't been able to find anything of use.

[Lil Abner]

I think he was saying you need to reverse the wires? At least, when I look at your pictures, it seems like they are reversed.