DIY auto adjusting dash lights in your Toyota 4Runner in 5 minutes
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- In this quick video I install an OEM ambient light sensor in my 2020 Toyota 4Runner.
Not all 5th generation Toyota 4Runners come with an ambient light sensor installed, many models come with all the wiring, but a blank. Why? Who knows, it's such a cheap part, but then again Toyota is squeezing the 4Runner for all it's worth I suppose.
The light sensor gives the dash and head unit the ability to adjust the brightness based on the ambient outdoor light. E.g. you go from a bright sky to a dark tunnel, the lights will auto-dim.
For 2014-19 (unconfirmed for pre-facelift 2012-13) it utilizes the following ~$5 sensor:
-P/N 89121-50020
-example link: www.ebay.com/i...
For 2020-21 (and possibly further) it utilizes the following ~$65 sensor:
-P/N 89121-30020
-example link: www.jdmyamato....
Installation is simple and it's a pretty great quality of life upgrade that can be done in about 5 minutes!
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My vehicle:
2020 Toyota 4Runner - Off Road Premium
Wheels: stock rims
Tires: 285/70r17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs
Suspension: 3.5" Ironman4x4 Foam Cell Pro front/rear
Rack: Sherpa Crestone
My camera gear:
DJI Osmo amzn.to/3ldbM9U
iPhone 11 Pro Max
GoPro Hero 3 Silver
Viofo A119V3 dashcam
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#diy #toyota #toyota4runner #4runner #t4r #toyotatacoma #landcruiser #taco #toyotafj #fjcruiser #toyotafjcruiser #toyotalandcruiser #lightsensor #ambientlightsensor
Thank you for sharing this info, the how-to, and the link to the JDM source. An easy mod I didn’t know existed. You’re the man! Love your videos! Keep ‘em going!
Much appreciated and definitely an easy mod anyone can do! Little pricy for the 2020+ 5th gens, but still worth it imo.
Ok that is awesome! A small mod but what an annoyance to not have on my 2020 4RUNNER!
Awesome ! I got the same mad like you when the dash light is too bright. Small mod but it helps a lot.
I'm glad I came across this video. I never thought about it much. Other times it doesn't bother me. It DOES bother me during the day when it's raining, still bright outside and i can't see my dash.
Yeah I commute to work in the dark a lot of the year so I was manually adjusting daily and it drove me nuts! They really should have just included it in every model…
Ok I did it the other day. Thank you. I noticed the digital clock dims but the radio and dash stay bright
Hmm, did you make sure the gauge brightness adjuster wheel is “clicked” one step down from the max brightness setting? Otherwise I’m not entirely sure, I don’t recall any additional settings in the infotainment system.
@@GrizzlyPath Let me clarify. Again thank you for this. My issue is/was daylight rain. Here in MA by law you have to have your headlights on anytime your wipers are on. With that the screen would go dark in the daylight, then I could barely make out the radio screen, the opposite issue for you I know, I like it bright during the day. Drove me nuts, so once again thank you for this. I've had it now for a couple of days. Yesterday morning leaving for work it was dark enough for headlights , screen was dark but it switched (by itself ) to a bright screen as it got lighter outside, AWESOME. That is when i notced the digital clock stayed dark even though both screens(radio and dash) went bright. Was hoping you could check yours and let me know.To answer your question yes it is one click below always on( I'm very anal about that). My truck is a 22 SR5P. I told my buddy about this, he has the same but a 2020 and he ordered the part from the same seller i got mine from on Ebay and I'm going to be installng it on his truck for him when it arrives later this week. Thank you again for your video, you've helped out myfriens and me.
Great mod! An auto dim dash is a must have!
Well…I didn’t know I needed this. But I need this.
Awesome, got mine installed, Toyota is being too cheap not putting that sensor from factory!
I just installed the sensor on my 2023 4runner. Thank you so much for your video
Happy to help!
I tried to do this when I bought my 2020. Attempted this and couldn't justify the +$100 price tag for the sensor. I waited. Was going to order with the link you provided with the price of $41... unfortunately, the shipping to me (U.S.) is $29! Guess I'll keep waiting or not do this mod at all. Thanks for your video though!
Yeah the price is way higher than it should be! For pre-2019 it was like $5. Lame!
Where I live it was driving me nuts adjusting my dial twice daily due to when I leave for work and get off so I finally broke down and paid the price.
Toyota should just include it from factory and charge couple bucks more! Thanks for share! One more thing it missed is the automatic high beam
I have a 2014 4Ruuner 4x4 Trail version and I bought the part pulled up the sensor cover only to find no wires. Any ideas?
Bummer! There's a couple options, but since you have a Trail I think you're likely missing one side of the wiring harness. Here's a link to a page that talks about missing the wires: www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/274513-my-$5-mod-5-mins-18.html
Thank you so much haha I was about to take my car into Toyota. I thought I needed to replace a light bulb!!!! Had no idea that was there😄
Pretty slick mod!
I ordered the 14-19 you have linked installed on my 2016 4r it did nothing. I took it apart and low and behold it does not have anything on the inside just a empty plastic body with a cap on it. I pulled one from a gx460 at the junk yard for 3$ and it works great.
Weird! You must have just ordered the blank cap then. Glad you found a cheap one though!
I appreciate this video, I found out about this for older models but was disappointed it changed for newer. Going to try on my 2022
Yeah a bit more expensive with the newer models but still worth it imo! Make sure you do some Googling to make sure the P/N is right for your year!
I can confirm this works in the 2022 with the part number you linked
Did you notice that the clock does not auto adjust with the rest of the lights?
Almost at 1k subs - exciting!!
Thanks Zak!
I just did this install, worked great. But my Radio does not dim anymore.
You did something wrong in there! You should be good at pulling it apart now though.
So because i have a 2022 one of those $7 dollar ebay sensors isn't going to work?
Correct. Likely you will need the sensor I bought for my 2020 which was like $100 or something. Not sure what the price is now, but after 2019 they changed it. If you pull the plastic bit off and check the plug connector you can see the sensor you’ll need.
@@GrizzlyPath OK, Thanks for the fast response... I am glad I came across your video. Someone else has this mod and their link is for the $7 dollar sensor. I am so glad I watched your video before I purchased.
Yeah definitely, they changed! It’s super lame, but imo the feature is still worth $100 or whatever it cost. I think it was cheaper.
My sensor wire fell down into that open space below. Any recommendations on how to get it out? I've tried an angled needle nose but it is too low and hard to get to the windshield in the way
Noo!!! What about one of those flexible claw grabber things? Get one with no magnets so it’s a smaller head to put through the hole maybe.
@@GrizzlyPath flimsy dry cleaner hanger, bent with a little hoop at the end got the wires up. Then needle nose, to grab the bottom part of the plug and pull through the hole. Success! Super grateful cause I thought for sure I wasn't going to get that back.
Woo... I need to do this. And only the second vid i sampled, great content. I'm subbing :- ) Thank you !
It’s a really easy upgrade that they should just include with the vehicle!
@@GrizzlyPath totally agree. at least on the premiums and limited and pro. and even then it should be under 50 bucks at the dealer to buy one !
Will you post a link for the part number for a 2020+. Thanks, excellent work
I think it’s in my video description. Make sure you do your research, it may have changed with 2021+
Where can i order it? I have same problem on my 2018 4runner..
www.anytimebackupcamera.com/collections/kits
The lack auto dimming doesn't really bother me, but the fact that Toyota doesn't include it standard, does bother me. I mean, the wiring is already there. Come on Toyota, do better
Yeah it only bothers me during the months where I commute in the dark and then drive home in light. I had to manually adjust daily and it was just annoying. I totally agree, such a small thing for them they should have just added it!
Great video. Now that it's been a year have you had any issues with it?
No issues and such a good mod. I work early so I was adjusting to make dim in the morning, then bright in the afternoon manually everyday.
Thank yoU Does this work for 2017 toyota tacoma . Having the same essue. 😔
HELP.
I’m not sure, but I’d be willing to bet! I can only confirm this is a thing for 5th gen 4Runners.
Does this also dim, and brighten, the clock? In the video it looks like your clock did not get full brightness during daylight.
I experimented a bit and no, the clock on the dash does not change brightness ever. Doesn’t dim either, just stays one brightness. The head unit and dash all change though.
@@GrizzlyPath Yeah, I installed the sensor (purchased from Amazon) yesterday. It only controls the head unit and the dash lights. The clock is brighter when the light switch is either the off or DRL position. While I wish that the sensor also controlled the clock brightness, I am happy having the dash and head unit dim automatically when it is dark outside.
Would this work on a 2023 model
The upgrade will work, however you will need to research 2023 model years and verify correct P/N. It changed in 2020, and may have changed again since.
I hear that Viofo dash cam!
I’m a fan! I don’t even hear the noise anymore haha, if you have one you’re probably the same.
@@GrizzlyPath I have installed the front and rear a129 Viofo systems in 7 Toyotas...
There have been three accidents involving my family recorded. Even when a family member was at legally at fault, video provided proof the other party was driving aggressively. After an accident, our next insurance renewal had a lower rate.
@seanpop2886 they’re cheap too. I want the a129 or similar front/rear at some point. Move the a119v3 into my truck maybe.
Do you know how to turn off the automatic lights on the dash and window switches that stay on when the engine is running? I would like to be able to turn every light off.
I’m not sure! In the past when I’ve wanted engine on and interior dark I’ve turned the headlight switch completely off and then the dash dial all the way down (dim not off though), head unit you can turn off by going to settings > display, and then you gotta make sure the DRLs are off which is a setting in the head unit also.
@@GrizzlyPath Thanks GrizzlyPath, I’ll talk to the dealer and see if they have any suggestions.
I'm going to have to try this on our 2017 wonder if this would work on a Tundra as well?
Check the p/n in my description! It’ll be slightly different than the one I used for your 2017 4Runner! No idea on the Tundra, but maybe! The fake sensor cap is super easy to remove so you could pop it out on your Tundra to check. And if it’s the same as your 2017 4Runner you could even test the sensor! Good luck!
@@GrizzlyPath according to the Amazon posting for that number it does work on a 2016 Tundra :)
The pre-2020 sensor is crazy cheap it’s a no-brainer to do!
Would you find how to make the headlight to be automatic pls?
There’s no easy way to do this. Auto headlights only came on a few models and to do that with OEM parts would require some more complicated wiring and hardware. Aftermarket might offer something, but I haven’t looked into it. Not nearly as easy as this little mod.
Well, I just installed mine and now my headlights don’t automatically turn off when I cut the engine
AFAIK this should not affect that circuit. On my vehicle the headlights will auto shut off after something like 1-2 min, but I believe this is adjustable via ECU settings.
@@GrizzlyPath it’s working correctly now. Thanks for info . Probably my favorite easy mod so far. 👍🏽
Another silly thing Toyota leaves off the $40k T4R!
How were you able to buy a “2024” 4Runner? I want one.
It’s a 2020, good luck!
Toyota must add this in all models but if not its not a big deal use the adjustment dial to dim the lighting
It’s dumb they don’t just add it to all models since it’s already wired for it and not an expensive part. That being said, it gets old adjusting the lighting twice a day. Dark in morning, then bright in evening, for 6 months so I’m glad I finally did the install.
@@GrizzlyPath Toyota Problem is they do not listen to its customers very easily until someone file a lawsuit .
So my 2022 head display has its own little button to change from day to night- will this mod eliminate the need to do that? AND- I really like your back end sleeping platform- can you describe how it works in practice?
Thank you!!