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Old 01-10-2022, 04:34 PM   #1
lightdisc2
 
Drives: Yaris 2008
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: US
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Electrical Headlight Nightmare

Hello,

First I want to say thanks for everyone's contribution to this forum, I have been lurking it for many years.

I have a 2008 Toyota Yaris Hatchback, Manual, 2 Door that is causing me a real headache. I bought the car with aftermarket Spec D LED headlights installed. They started to malfunction, so I just had them replaced with stock headlights.

About 7 months later here is the issue: Airbag light comes on briefly, usually when starting the car. Simultaneously one of the headlight bulbs burns out. It started with the passenger side (I replaced the bulb), and now the driver side goes out in the same sequence.

I took it into Toyota for diagnostics. They say the alternator is overcharging to 17v, and it should be ~14v. They think the voltage regulator (can that be replaced alone?) went bad and the alternator needs to be replaced, of course at an absurd price.

I suspect it is something wrong with the wiring job done when the LED projectors were uninstalled and the new stock headlights put in. I am taking it in to that same mechanic tomorrow, but he says he is unqualified but will see what he can do. I've called a few other local shops and they say the same thing - they don't want to mess with the wiring and make something worse. Problem is - Toyota says they don't know if new alternator will fix it themselves. I should also mention the battery is pretty new, it was installed 7 months ago too.

Please let me know if you have any advice, it is much appreciated.
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Old 02-21-2022, 08:33 PM   #2
IndestructibleYaris
 
Drives: 2007 Toyota Yaris Sedan
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This is most definitely the alternator, and probably the voltage regulator within the alternator. It is unlikely that wiring has been tampered with to induce an overcharging condition
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Old 05-16-2023, 03:59 PM   #3
lightdisc2
 
Drives: Yaris 2008
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I wanted to update and bump this post because after replacing the alternator and battery I am having the issue again. Driver side headlight is out, and I am having someone professional look at all the wiring to see if they can figure it out. It is going to cost a fortune if they can't figure it out within the first few hours so I may need some help if anyone can offer some. Has anyone had this issue?
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Old 05-16-2023, 04:32 PM   #4
bronsin
 
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Search YouTube for Scotty the mechanic. He might be able to help with some advice. Sounds like you have a short somewhere. I think you have to replace the fuses one by one or rather remove each fuse one by one and test for Shores. Something like that. Scotty can explain it better than me.

Good luck and tell us what happens!
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Old 05-16-2023, 05:22 PM   #5
sh0rtlife
 
Drives: 2007 5dr canadian import
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heres the deal, the spec D's are a "plug n play" as in there are ZERO modifications that need to be done

with that said tho the connector on the stock lights is often times greased and full of crap sometimes rusty or even broken hot bulbs and their location can make them VERY brittle....more common on the xb's but its the EXACT SAME WIRING and plugs...i had to spend some time really cleaning my connectors on my 07 yaris

as far as the air bag 10-1 odds are its the clock spring, if not theres a possibility that the ground strap neer the headlight needs to be taken off cleaned and re-attached
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Old 05-17-2023, 06:37 PM   #6
lightdisc2
 
Drives: Yaris 2008
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Thanks to everyone who replied. At the moment it seems that it was a voltage regulator pigtail wiring harness that melted. It was replaced and my battery light is staying off at the moment and it seems to be running smoother. Both low beams are working. I will have to see if the solution lasts in the coming weeks.
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Old 05-17-2023, 09:44 PM   #7
sh0rtlife
 
Drives: 2007 5dr canadian import
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if it doesnt....remove clan and re-install ALL ground straps..thats useualy the other cause
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Old 11-24-2023, 01:08 PM   #8
lightdisc2
 
Drives: Yaris 2008
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Okay I am bumping this thread because recently the premature headlight burning out issue has returned. With over 200k miles my starter went and I had to replace it. When it was starting to go and I was cleaning the cold air intake filter, I started the car with the filter off and the driver bulb went. Took it into my mechanic and he can't get the bulb to stay on. Every new one he puts in goes out. This has been an electrical nightmare and I am going to get rid of the car if I can't fix it once and for all this time. I could sure use the wisdom of CTScott right now.

As a reminder - new battery, new alternator, voltage regulator wiring identified as damaged and replaced, and now new starter (probably not related). Thanks in advance.
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