1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Alpharex Headlights Beware

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Ar16545, Sep 3, 2021.

  1. Sep 3, 2021 at 12:04 PM
    #1
    Ar16545

    Ar16545 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2020
    Member:
    #15715
    Messages:
    15
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 4runner sr5p
    I installed my Alpharex Luxx headlights almost a year ago on my 2020 4runner. They have worked wonderfully and looked great, about a month ago i started to get a lapse in the transmission at (highway speeds) almost as if the breaks suddenly were applied. This started once in a few weeks then worsened to 3-4-5 times a drive. Thats when i took it to my dealer and had them drive it. Sure enough as i pull into the dealership for that issue...the 4runner dies on me as i coast into my parking spot. Now ive got my check engine light on and battery light. I tried to restart it ...wont start up. I think well at least im at the dealership. Tell them of the new issue ,that it died as i was parking. They hooked up a scanner and found that the problem was something to do with the injectors and possibly ecm issues. Then they noticed the Alpharex headlights tapped into the 10amp INJ fuse. They unplugged it and replaced fuse with original and issue resolved, i was out 500.00 for non warranty work and dont have the cool DRL now (unplugged). However i do have a 4runner that shifts properly and doesn't die. figured id share my experience
     
  2. Sep 3, 2021 at 12:10 PM
    #2
    Arbstar

    Arbstar New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2021
    Member:
    #20451
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD ORP
    I literally just installed these headlights last weekend. Thank you for the heads up.
     
    Ar16545[OP] likes this.
  3. Sep 3, 2021 at 12:23 PM
    #3
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    Do their install instruction tell you to tap there?

    Sounds like that fuse is a bad idea to begin with.
     
  4. Sep 3, 2021 at 12:43 PM
    #4
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    Member:
    #2689
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Colton
    Missoula, MT
    @Ar16545 fuse taps are pretty common, and "relatively" reliable. Clearly YMMV... Could you (or the dealership) determine that the fuse tap was installed and still seated correctly?

    Also, we could tap into other things that might not prove quite as detrimental to your driving experience should your fuse tap move around for some reason.
     
  5. Sep 3, 2021 at 12:46 PM
    #5
    Arbstar

    Arbstar New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2021
    Member:
    #20451
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD ORP
    They didn’t come with instructions, but the official alpharexx video on YouTube and every other video shows to tap into the INJ. I’m hoping there’s a fix to this.
     
  6. Sep 3, 2021 at 1:01 PM
    #6
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2016
    Member:
    #2689
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Colton
    Missoula, MT
    People have been tapping into EFI and INJ fuses on Toyotas for years... Without issue... On trucks that get jumped. Follow the instructions to a T and make sure that everything is seated properly and you'll be fine. Now you'll just know where to look if there's any funny stuff going on.

    All that aside... I don't personally use fuse taps very often, and instead use relays as triggers to try and reduce the likelihood of something non-critical impacting something critical. This is the method I would recommend, but it admittedly be seen as overkill when many operate just fine without.
     
    interceptor and Arbstar[QUOTED] like this.
  7. Sep 3, 2021 at 2:10 PM
    #7
    Ar16545

    Ar16545 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2020
    Member:
    #15715
    Messages:
    15
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 4runner sr5p
    I never checked the connection to the fuse box because i never thought of my lights being the cause of my issues. So of course the tapped fuse could have been getting loose i wont rule that out, the dealership didn't mention an improper installation of the fuse or it being loose they were focused on the reason a 2020 5000 mile 4runner was acting like it was. Like Memario said at least now ppl will have something to look at if these issues arise with theirs. I just wonder if there is a better option/unused fuse location other than the INJ
     
  8. Sep 6, 2021 at 1:50 PM
    #8
    Arbstar

    Arbstar New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2021
    Member:
    #20451
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD ORP
    I appreciate this info. I don’t have much experience with electrical work, but I’m about overkill when it comes to reliability. Thank you!
     
  9. Sep 6, 2021 at 3:30 PM
    #9
    Daytonaviolet

    Daytonaviolet TRD Bro

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2019
    Member:
    #9167
    Messages:
    1,639
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    Blizzard Pearl TRD Bro
    Thanks for info. I’ll keep an eye out for this issue
     
    newlife likes this.
  10. Sep 7, 2021 at 9:00 PM
    #10
    FiReBReTHa

    FiReBReTHa New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2017
    Member:
    #4733
    Messages:
    39
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2014 4runner Trail
    I'm trying to understand why the heck to tap inj instead of something like the acc for cigarette plug. Or the power seats.
     
  11. Sep 8, 2021 at 8:51 AM
    #11
    mcat707

    mcat707 MURDERED TRD

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2019
    Member:
    #12235
    Messages:
    330
    Gender:
    Male
    NOR*CAL - Solano County
    Vehicle:
    2015 TRDPro - Attitude Black Metallic 218
    I had the same issue when I installed my AlphaRex Pros. After tapping into my INJ fuse location with the provided AlphaRex DRL wire harness, my engine wouldn’t start. Put back the original fuse and the vehicle started right up. I tossed the wire harness on the shelf and decided to run without it. Last thing I need is to have the vehicle stall on me at the wrong time due to that AlphaRex DRL wire harness. I can live with out it.
     
  12. Sep 14, 2021 at 5:44 PM
    #12
    Rvca808

    Rvca808 New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2021
    Member:
    #21238
    Messages:
    9
    I have the pros on since January of this year and no problems at all.
     
  13. Sep 14, 2021 at 5:53 PM
    #13
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,211
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    I've had the Luxx's for about a year without incident.
     
  14. Sep 16, 2021 at 4:36 PM
    #14
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2021
    Member:
    #23370
    Messages:
    424
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 SR5 Premium
    I have a general rule about installing electrical components where one has to tap into an existing vehicle circuit. I never tap into what I consider to be "mission critical" circuits. The fuel injection system would be one I'd avoid for sure.
     
    e_alvarez91 likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top