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2020 auto dimming sensor

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by ker0uac, Nov 30, 2020.

  1. Nov 30, 2020 at 9:00 AM
    #1
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    The mod of replacing the dummy auto dimming sensor with an actual one works on the 2020 OR?
     
  2. Nov 30, 2020 at 9:26 AM
    #2
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    What are you thinking the “auto dimming sensor” is? What exactly are you trying to retrofit - auto headlights, auto high beams, auto dimming rear view mirror?
     
    Turciuoli likes this.
  3. Nov 30, 2020 at 9:43 AM
    #3
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon H9 halogen is the best led bulb

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    mine is an 2020 OR and mine dims ok
     
  4. Nov 30, 2020 at 10:34 AM
    #4
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    So your dash lights no longer dim during the day with headlights on?
     
  5. Nov 30, 2020 at 10:39 AM
    #5
    jmkulbeth

    jmkulbeth Have you tried turning it off and on again?

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    My '20 ORP, the dashlights dim when I turn on the headlights... ambient light has no impact on the dim level. Bright, sunny day, headlights on, the dash dims.

    But you can roll the dashlights brightness switch all the way up to turn the dashlights on max if you use the headlights during the day.

    You might have your dash brightness knob at max brightness. Roll it down. It'll click into and out of the max setting. It's on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2020
  6. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:07 AM
    #6
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    Right but I want it to dim at night but not during the day. If I set at max, it will never dim. So Im asking if this photocell here will stop the autodimming on a 2020 OR when it's bright out.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Automa...-50020/151702024920?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
     
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    #6
  7. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:14 AM
    #7
    leesmanp1

    leesmanp1 New Member

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    #7
  8. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:34 AM
    #8
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    There’s a difference between the light sensor for the 2010-2019 model years and the 2020-21s. The connectors are different.
    There are a several threads about it on this forum and on T4R.org discussing this.
     
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    #8
    grizzlypath and twin_runner like this.
  9. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:40 AM
    #9
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon H9 halogen is the best led bulb

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    i have my lights set on auto, they turn on at dark and the dashboard dims.
    i have running dlrs though, mandatory in canada, dashboard's full brightness with dlrs only
     
  10. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:51 AM
    #10
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    You have auto headlights on a 2020 OR nonpremium?
     
  11. Nov 30, 2020 at 11:52 AM
    #11
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    Ah damn it! Nevermind then...
     
  12. Nov 30, 2020 at 12:09 PM
    #12
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    Don’t give up yet!
    Depending on your model year and trim level you may be able to install a light sensor.
    This post has a summary of what is known to date for part numbers and compatibility. Read more posts in the thread for how to remove your dummy plug and check to see if it has an attached connector. Edit: If you pull out the dummy plug and see a 4 pin connector with three wires attached it looks like you’re in luck.
    It should look like the pics here:
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2020
  13. Nov 30, 2020 at 12:31 PM
    #13
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon H9 halogen is the best led bulb

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    in Canada, there is no OR non premium
    we only get the premium and it is call just OR :)
     
  14. Nov 30, 2020 at 1:45 PM
    #14
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    Thanks Ill check out my existing harness
     
  15. Dec 1, 2020 at 7:32 AM
    #15
    twin_runner

    twin_runner New Member

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    I did this mod on my 2020 TRDORP...quick search for the specific part looks like it is now pretty expensive and/or sold out from cheaper vendors. There is definitely an associated quality of life improvement, but not sure for that cost. For it to function, the dimmer dial must be set just below the click the signifies maximum brightness.

    The part is 89121-30020

    Not sure if this is allowed, but I made an IG post about it...https://www.instagram.com/p/B77PlnUn1U6/
     
    meowKittieh and ForRun like this.
  16. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:04 AM
    #16
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    Yea for sure not worth it for the current price. How much did you pay for it?
     
  17. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:13 AM
    #17
    twin_runner

    twin_runner New Member

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    ~$80 from ebay...which looking back, I'm a little disappointed about lol
     
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    #17
  18. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:16 AM
    #18
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    Ughh lack of backward compatibility makes mods for 2020 so much more expensive. Just this simple one is 10x more expensive:annoyed:
     
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    #18
    twin_runner[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:29 AM
    #19
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Wow. 89121-50020 is $144 @ Toyota...:eek:

    For us <2020 folk...
     
  20. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:40 AM
    #20
    koukimonster

    koukimonster DYNO4

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    What's the point of this? Why would you have your headlights on when there is so much ambient light that you need your dash lights maxed to read the cluster?
     
  21. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:47 AM
    #21
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    Get at ebay for $8
     
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    #21
  22. Dec 1, 2020 at 8:53 AM
    #22
    ker0uac

    ker0uac [OP] New Member

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    For me, my window tint makes the inside too dark and the console already doesnt have lots of lighting, so I would prefer full brightness when driving daytime on highways or when it's cloudy. Surely, I can achieve what I want by using the dimmer to the left of the steering wheel, but I'd be willing to pay a few bucks for a sensor that does the dimming for me.
     
    koukimonster[QUOTED] likes this.
  23. Dec 1, 2020 at 9:24 AM
    #23
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    I know that. I just couldn't believe how much Toyota charges for that sensor...
     
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    #23
    ker0uac[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  24. Nov 11, 2022 at 12:38 PM
    #24
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Can't believe I dragged my feet on this for 3 years...sensor from Amazon, two minute install, voila. Dash display does not dim with lights on during the day. :)

    For me, it's not even that I need this particularly all that often, but since Toyota has the wiring for it, why wouldn't you use it?
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2022
  25. Nov 11, 2022 at 9:30 PM
    #25
    ikejay

    ikejay New Member

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    I plugged in my sensor also and it does not work for my 2019 SR5. I still have to manually dim my lights if I want to.
     
  26. Nov 12, 2022 at 8:00 AM
    #26
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Not quite sure what you mean...this mod does not dim dash and AV display lights automatically, it keeps them from dimming if you turn on your headlights during the daylight hours. At night, the displays are dimmer, as usual, with the headlights on.
     
  27. Nov 12, 2022 at 9:16 AM
    #27
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    The non-premium models do not have the wiring necessary for the light sensor to work. The wires are at the sensor end but are dead ended and do not terminate at the main body ECU. In some cases there were no wires at all at the sensor end. Some people have added the wiring to the ECU to get this to work.
    For 2020 model year and later the wiring may have changed.

    There’s a long thread on the other forum about this. And somewhere in it someone documented the models and years which worked.
     
  28. Nov 12, 2022 at 7:21 PM
    #28
    ikejay

    ikejay New Member

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    Ok, got it. Just read through the link you posted and it mine is one with wiring at the sensor, but not attached to anything. Thanks for the info. I guess i have a $12 plastic piece mod.
     

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