Dim clock and climate control lights

No. This will not be plug and play in your SR5P. See the table above.

To reiterate, 2019 and previous year SR5 Premiums are reported to not have the necessary wiring connected to the BCM to operate the dimming feature.

There are some involved work arounds to add the wiring from sensor to BCM, in another thread.

Sensor part numbers:
For 2016-2019 models:
6-pin double row connector (only 3 pins populated).
Light sensor P/N 89121-50020.

2020+ models:
With a 4-pin single row connector.
Light sensor P/N 89121-0E060.
Also the Lexus part

$65 89121-30020 Automatic Light Control Sensor Headlight Sensor Replacement for Toyota 4Runner Corolla RAV4 2019-2021 Highlander for Lexus IS250 IS300 IS350 RC300 RC350 LC500 LC500h

89121-30020 is reported to work.

 

Did a double check on the sensor in my dash, It's a dummy, just a blank plastic with nothing inside but was plugged into a wiring harness that had three wires running down into the dash. I had tried the replacement sensor off Amazon with no affect, when I tried to pry it back out to check it, the top popped off then the insides separated and let loose of the wired plug which disappeared down into the dash, of well, at least I still had the dummy sensor to plug up the hole in the dash, so much for that.

 

Ow, that’s a bummer. You may be able to fish it out with a thin wire if you want.
The SR5 Premiums can have the three wires in the plug at the sensor end but they do not terminate at the BCM. You’d need to complete the circuits to get it to work.

One more thing. Before you install any sensor into place make sure you test it first before snapping it into the dash. The two little plastic tabs on the live sensor are oriented in a way that prohibits easy removal. As you found out.

 

@ElectroBoy

do you know if there’s a way to get the clock/climate control lights to NOT dim when switching the stalk to the parking light setting

 

I’m not very familiar with the 2020+ models. Some electrical systems are different than the 2019s and below. You could try experimenting with settings in the entune menus.
Or click the interior dimmer wheel to maximum brightness.

 

Try checking other online Toyota parts dealers.
Here’s one that lists compatibility with the 2022 Sport.
https://parts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-ambient-light-sensor-891210e060

 

I've tried both of these to no avail.

I'm guessing the way Toyota wired it makes it not possible.
From what I understand, the older years of the 5th gen that had the clock with the Accessory Meter Display it is possible to change the brightness of the clock via the mode button but as far as I know, now the clock brightness cannot be changed. It automatically dims when the headlights/parking light are on and stays bright when DRL or all lights off without any possibility to adjust the intensity

 

Thanks @ElectroBoy. Appreciate the efforts.

What i was trying to explain is that the 2022/2023 doesn't seems to need the dash light sensor.
The functionality is already built into my TRD Sports.

Once i turn the low/High beams on, the dashboard light dims. No glaring at night. Just exactly what i need.
On DRL, Dash light remains bright during the day.

According to Toyota Parts representative, the model year matches the part number, but my VIN says that part is not designed for my truck. so thankfully, my order was cancelled. so i went back to test the functionality.

 

My 18 ORP with the AMD behaves the same way. It dims with the headlights switched on.

 

with the AMD buttons I think you can change the brightness settings of the AMD though

 

Yes. You can adjust the three brightness settings. But it still dims the clock/AMD significantly when you turn the headlights on. Even at max brightness you can barely see the display in daylight. I would have thought Toyota would have fixed this in 2020+ models.

 

I don't have an AUTO switch on my headilght control, i was wondering if anyone knows if i can change the headlight control , steering column/ harness etc.control parts to make it work ?

 

I installed the absurdly expensive P/N 89121-0E060 sensor on my '21 Venture today and can confirm that it works great. Finally able to turn on headlights and have the screen stay in daylight mode. Thanks for all who posted the information. I do not understand why Toyota wouldn't include this simple part/function on EVERY 4Runner but Toyota I guess.

 

Glad to hear yours works well. Im going to order one soon.

 

Does anyone have a 2023 SR5 Premium that has tried this and with any success? Trying to understand what the prerequisites are for this functionality. I have the standard stalk for lights - no auto on/off and have foglights.

New here - TIA for any input!

 

I added the sensor to my 2021 SR5 Premium and it works perfectly. I used the OEM Toyota part since I work at a dealership.

 

The problem, for me anyway, is that the sensor does not brighten the clock during the day.

 

thanks for the info! I will give it a go!

 

True, but you also have a time display (clock) in the infotainment screen - and that is controlled by the sensor if you add it.

 

I just received mine and installed it in my 2023 SR5 Premium that had the dummy plug in the dash with the wire inserted. I now have auto dimming when my taillights or headlights are selected on my light selector. I do not have the auto lights option. It does not seem to work when I just have DRL on? I think that sounds right?

I ordered this:

$65 JESBEN 89121-30020 Automatic Light Control Sensor Headlight Sensor Replacement for Toyota 4Runner Corolla RAV4 2019-2021 Highlander for Lexus IS250 IS300 IS350 RC300 RC350 LC500 LC500h

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B73ZPNFH.

Having read about the risk of the wire dropping out and behind the dash - I had a pair of Kelly clamps ready and as soon as the dummy came out I clamped the wire so it would not fall back in while connecting and testing.

 

What happens when you have the DRL on? Is the display always bright? Always dark?

 

Always bright - based on quick testing in during my lunch break.

 

What does it do in "off"?

 

Isn't the purpose of the new sensor to keep the dash display bright, instead of dimming, when you turn your headlights on during the day? That's how mine works.

 

That's exactly why I installed the sensor on mine. In New York State, by law, you have to run your headlights any time you're running your wipers. During the day, I literally couldn't see anything on my infotainment screen when I did that. Install sensor - problem solved.

As for the DRL's, I have mine disabled through the Setup menu for a different reason.

 

nothing as far as I can tell.

 

I just dropped an

$65 89121-30020 Automatic Light Control Sensor Headlight Sensor Replacement for Toyota 4Runner Corolla RAV4 2019-2021 Highlander for Lexus IS250 IS300 IS350 RC300 RC350 LC500 LC500h

89121-30020 into my 2024 ORP this afternoon. I don't think it's the right thing... the head unit went dark as soon as I turned on the lights, despite the afternoon sun. I'll try it again tomorrow to be sure.

Based on this quick test, I'm thinking I should have bought -0E060 instead. Grr.

 

Odd, my 2021 SR5 is working with the -30020 - please don’t let it be another complication! If you haven’t snapped it in yet, maybe it could be a bad part?

 

Idunno, man. I did go ahead and snap it into place. I'll try it again in tomorrow's daylight and we'll see what happens.
To be fair, testing this afternoon was done inside the garage, though backed in with the truck facing west into the afternoon sun.

I've found a -0E060 relatively inexpensively (probably a knockoff, though my -30020 is Toyota OE). It should be here in a week or so, in case this -30020 truly doesn't work right.

 

That shade might've been enough since it can trigger under overpasses. Fingers crossed it works since I read you can't (or not easily) remove the actual sensor the way it went in due to the clip design. My -30020 was an $18 knockoff.