Auto headlights

I ordered that adapter from an eBay store that gets them straight from Japan. If I have read correctly on here, adding the OEM auto headlight functionality isn't easily doable since it requires the ECU right?

 

Stalk coming off of the steering column is not a hard swap - I did it on my old tacoma. I have seen bits here and there about needing a BCM update/mod/swap also... just hoping someone has some experience without having to do that.

 

Same. If all I need is the stalk I’ll order one now.

 

Ordered one of of eBay for $19 on the correct part number will be here in a week or 2

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126132641648

 

Here is a similar thread: https://www.4runners.com/threads/2022-features-question.22069/#post-277893

Edit:
Further down that same thread someone said they swapped all the necessary bits to get it to work.

 

Sorry but I don't feel that auto-headlights are very useful since most don't come on during foggy or rainy daylight hours, when you really need them. Not to see better but, to be seen safely by others. White and silver vehicles are more difficult to see in adverse weather, especially in the daylight hours. They can be invisible to some other drivers.
In some States , it's the law to have the headlights on during inclement weather. It's not a thing for me to trust an auto-on feature to.

 

Just installed it in maybe 5 minutes easiest mod ever

 

I think that's true for many cars, definitely my Outback and my wife's. That's a situation where I like to have a fully-on setting in addition to the auto setting. If (fingers crossed) the LED headlights last substantially longer than Halogens, I'll just leave them on most of the time.

 

I ordered the light sensor from jpanime2014 on eBay after seeing here that people had good results. I received it after about a week and installed it yesterday in my 2021 ORP. Now my display changes between night and day automatically. I wish I had known about this 2 years ago.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165027927715

 

Not sure if I have auto headlights & if so I have over rode them. Had rental in Fla. earlier this month GM Malibu. I did NOT like that feature. I have always dimmed my interior lights for decades ( flying around at nite in Helo made the warning lights that much more obvious) plus I am light sensitive at night. I looked at the sensor currently & thought it looked like the sensor & not dummy plug. The only this was I didn't know to roll the thumb wheel dimmer just past 1st click. SOB mine came W/it !! I am by far away a cheap one ,But I couldn't justify $64.++ just to have that feature! I'm sure I paid well for it on the MSRP sticker. I will have to look if it's on there. It's a wicked cool feature. I just now leave interior thumb wheel 1 click off Max & it's in that mode sweet!! another reason this forum is outstanding!!! Thank you!!!

 

Found this thread and wanted to provide some definitive information on a project I tried.
I have a 2023 ORP with Smart Key and was able to add the Automatic headlight functions to it and can confirm it works with a few caveats.

Required:
Ambient Light Sensor 89121-30020
BCM from a TRD PRO or Limited
New Smart Key fob (in my case 8990H-35010 for 2022+ Smart Key models)
A way to program the Key (Local locksmith/dealer, VCI cable + Techstream, etc..)

Optional:
Headlight switch from a TRD PRO or Limited
(Only if you really want the stalk to say 'AUTO', otherwise the position that is labeled 'DRL' will function as AUTO if keeping the Stock switch)

It is absolutely confirmed that you MUST swap the Body Control Module from an appropriate TRD PRO or Limited and it MUST be the same type of ignition type.
In my case Smart Key model ORP must swap to a Smart Key model PRO or Limited BCM. It will absolutely NOT work if you swap from a keyless entry to a keyed or vice versa.
Pre 2021 keyless entry will also NOT work with post 2021 keyless entry. The coding is different and confirmed to not be compatible.

Some 4Runners met an unfortunate fate and ended up at a local wrecking yard so I was able to try a few things out to confirm compatibility.
I harvested parts from a 2022 TRD PRO keyless entry which worked and can confirm pre 2021 models with keyless entry and ANY model with keyed entry DO NOT if your 4Runner is a 2021+ with keyless.
I can NOT confirm that these instructions work for Keyed entry 4Runners. It SHOULD be the same but I do not have any vehicle to test with.

Disconnect your battery first before attempting any of this.

Install the Ambient Light Sensor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8KYrdHbXVc

To get to the BCM I followed this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-DknPKpq9k
The BCM is the only module to swap from the fuse block it is attached to.

The BCM from the 2023 ORP and 2022 TRD PRO look absolutely identical. No difference in markings or part numbers on the BCM itself. The only difference is the internal programming.

The turn signal and headlight switch assembly could be changed here as well but completely optional. Only if you really want the switch to say 'AUTO' on it instead of 'DRL'
The switch itself is identical and has no bearing whatsoever on the operation of the Auto Headlight function.
In my opinion it is a risky and unnecessary process. Removing the steering wheel and clock spring could trigger the steering sensor to be out of alignment requiring reprogramming at best or a new sensor at worst. It's also very easy to get the clock spring spiral cable out of alignment as well which can result in damage.
For those of you who want to do this: the switch removal/replacement is practically identical on most Toyotas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxZui2xiOr0

After the sensor install, BCM swap and reconnecting battery you will have functioning Automatic Headlights immediately when in the DRL/AUTO position.
However, keyless entry WILL NOT work. The programming for these functions is in the BCM and your existing keyfob will still be tied to the old BCM programming.
Vehicle will start since the transponder/immobilizer is separate but you will not be able to lock/unlock the doors with the keyfob.

The only fix I was able to find was to simply program a new keyfob.
There are multiple paths here.
The easiest way to solve this would be to find a local locksmith/dealer who could do this for you. Simply ask for a new key to be made (NOT a duplicate of the existing key)
As long as the locksmith/dealer connects via OBD port to program. This process will bind the new key to the programming of the existing immobilizer plus the new BCM.
Again, key duplication WILL NOT work. It must be a new programmed key registered with the ECU so the new BCM programming gets tied to the keyfob.

Personally, I was able to do it myself with Techstream and a brand new Toyota OEM key 8990H-35010. Worked perfectly with v18 and a VCI cable. Techstream requires a rolling PIN code for Smart Key programming after 2020 model years. There are various websites that sell this rolling code that can be found relatively easily... but be very careful doing this. If you do not know what you are doing or make any kind of mistake with the Smart Key ECU programming you can and will lock yourself out of the vehicle with no way to even start it. Most independent locksmiths will be able to take care of this for you at a much more reasonable rate compared to a dealer.

At this point all is working. Auto headlights functional with all keyless entry working perfectly.

Now the one weird caveat:
Models that lack a sunroof will throw a DTC. It's a minor annoyance but something I have not personally found a way to completely make go away.
The BCM programming from the TRD PRO or Limited is looking for the sunroof ECU which doesn't exist on my vehicle.
Occasionally it will give me a fault code on the screen stating that there is an error. However it is not persistent and does not impact operation. The moment you press the back button on the steering wheel it goes away and no light/error remains. It will show up any time a full system health check is run with a scan tool that pulls codes from the BCM. Comes up maybe once every few days and is not persistent like a check engine light or anything like that.
I'm assuming there is probably a way to short some pins on the BCM to simulate the presence of the sunroof but honestly it is such a minor issue I have not cared to investigate further.

It's been about a month now and all is working well.

 

Wow! Thanks for all that great information. Auto headlights is such a nice option and I have been searching for awhile but then always run into the missing link. Glad you figured it out. I may have to be on the look out for local junkyard and dismantlers. OEM brand new parts, the BCM isn't exactly cheap.

 

Does anyone know what other differences may exist in the programming? Is it literally only the lights? (that would be an infuriating distinction, because it probably cost Toyota more to deny auto headlights to ORP owners) or are there other potential programming differences that may have unintended consequences?

 

There's also a light sensor you need in the dash but yeah this is how Toyota does it. In Canada, the TRDOR has dual zone climate controls. Toyota, moving somewhere.

 

I know you need to swap in a TRD Off-Road/Pro computer to make use of the Multi-Terrain Select and CRAWL off-road controls that normally replace the sunglasses holder.

 

For some reason Toyota has had weird ways of equipping their headlights involving drl and dusk sensing feature over the years, maybe it is due to their US/NA versus world platforms and how the hardware were grouped, but then that doesn't explain how they gardenwalls the auto headlight on 4Runnes besides greed.

Our late 90s Camry has drl and dusk sensing headlights built in but no way to turn headlights off once car is in gear, but there is a plug you can unplug to remove drl, yet retains the dusk sensing headlight feature.

My 2005 Corolla has drl, dusk sensing headlight standard, but no way of turning off drl nor dusk sensing headlights.

My parents' 2011 Rav4 have a very similar set up as the 5th gen SR5 and ORs, where there is Off, DRL, parking, On. Makes sense since the 5th gen dates to 2010 so maybe SUVs of that era use the same BCM and electrical schema.


Meanwhile all of the Fords I had since the 90s have Off, Parking, Auto, On, Including one made in Canada made in the mid 2000s and trucks made in the 2020s.

None of it makes sense at all why Ford has a consistent layout for all their faults, but Toyota removes either the "off" function for some cars but retains the auto headlights, yet on other vehicle only some trims removes the auto headlights but retains the "off" mode.

 

I like the way my ‘22 ORP is set up. No auto headlights, but I’m ambivalent about that feature. I have the ability to turn off the DRLs, which I’m glad about. I have the auto dimming high beams, but I don’t use them.

Maybe the various permutations outlined by @FourBelugas are partially dictated by the wiring harness, which might be similar across all trims but limits the number of functions in the headlight stalk.

 

Only Canadian 4Runners cannot turn off the DRLs if i recall correctly. I believe the US 4runners with that feature can do everything the same as the other trims (on top of having auto headlights).
Personally, I hate not having auto headlights on my Tundra, so I'm glad my 4R has that feature.

Also I see way too many 4R owners around my area before sunrise with their headlights off (I know, not everyone is like that but it makes "us" look bad)

 

IMO, auto headlights are making drivers more and more ignorant of the law.
Broad daylight, run your headlights or DRL if you want.
Dusk to dawn, just turn them on manually.
And this really irks me. The law says that during inclement weather, use your headlights so other drivers can see you. It doesn't say that you can see better, it says so other drivers can see you. Why TF can't a driver understand that.

In my years of living and driving in inclement weather conditions, almost all of the close calls I've had with other vehicles involved a driver that was not using their headlights during the daylight hours and most of those vehicles were either White or Silver. F'in idiots.

When I operated heavy equipment with snow blades, all the driving, flood and safety lights were in use, day or night.
If I can see you during inclement weather, I can steer away from you, and you can safely pass.

 

You are correct about Canada. It's a mandate for all cars. They cannot turn off the DRL's. We American's.....we get to drive around at dusk or night like idiots with the lights off!

I don't understand the need for this mod. Just do what I have been doing since day 1 of owning my 4Runner: Turn the lights to on and keep it there. I never have to remember to turn them on when it's sunrise/sunset or in bad weather!

Shocking, right? Just turn the fucking thing on and be done with it.

 

I think DRLs are better fitted for daily light driving (hence the name) and are not as obnoxious as headlights (mainly the people that replace the bulbs with bright LEDs). Still can be seen without being too harsh.
Of course during inclement weather headlights should be used.

 

And yet, most manufacturers haven't figured out that it's a good thing to light the back end when illuminating the front.

That said, I'll avoid posting the rest of my usual rant about DRLs.