Bizarre electrical problem

[jack mccarthy]

Has anyone experience a bizarre electrical problem such as
the door lights going on and off and the door locks unlocking?

I have experieced this as well as the underside dashboard lights
and light around the key ignition going on and off late at night
while driving after a good rain. Pretty spooky huh? I seen this
problem at least twice last summer and haven't seen it since.

Being an electrical engineer, my first thought was that the onboard computer may have some voids in the conformal coating and that moisture might be getting into it. I don't know if toyota goes to the extent of protecting their circuit boards with parylene, but who knows?

Another thought I had was that the latches on the doors may
not be working correctly, which may cause the doors to become
unlocked, but I don't think this explains the light on the key ignition going on and off.

Someone please give me some feedback on whether they've
had a similar problem and/or a solution.

Moderators Note: The thread "Bizarre electrical problem" has been moved to the Audio/Video & Electronics Forum for better exposure and replies. PM was sent to the thread starter of its relocation. ---- Possum

[ThomasE]

Funny you should mention that, but I've had similar occurances occur 2 or 3 times on my 2001 truck. Initially I thought it was my imagination but the last time it happened, I was going around a curve when I noticed my map and dome lights were on, and my door ajar indicator was lit, then my door locks unlocked by themselves. Doors were completely shut. I relocked the doors, went around another right hand curve, and exactly the same thing happened. It's not reproducible, has occured maybe 2 or 3 times in the last 2 years. Maybe it's the switch in the door jam, or some spurious signal, I have an aftermarket alarm. Do you have an alarm or remote to unlock?

[jack mccarthy]

I still have the remote. I was planning on getting an alarm with
a remote start, but I've held back, mostly due to procrastination.

I was able to get the problem to stop only the second time it happened by slamming the passenger side door shut after pulling over in the breakdown lane on the highway, but I don't know if this was just a coincidence. The first time, I shut both doors tight, but the problem persisted. I've noticed the latch on the driver's side does close a little harder than than passenger
side.

[nhparrot]

There was a problem with the door latches on the 2000's, that manifested iteself like you describe.

[jack mccarthy]

I've got a 2002 SR5 V8 Access Cab 4x4 Tundra. Do you know where the details are on the 2000 Model?

[T'sTOY]

I had similar problems with my 2000, and it seems that if the rear doors weren't shut firmly, it would affect the latching of the front doors. I was able to just lean hard on the drivers door and the interior and door ajar lights came on. I just started making sure all the doors were firmly closed after having passengers in the truck.

After my doors started rattling even when shut forcefully, I took it in and the dealer adjusted the door latches. That cured the latching and lighting problem(s) and it hasn't happened since.

[ps2matrix]

Hi Guys. I am a toyota tech and what we have been doing to fix this is takethe 10 millimeter bolt out and put a washer behind the door switch then retighten the bolt and check to make sure the lights go out. Hope this helps.

[Genthar]

Originally posted by ps2matrix
Hi Guys. I am a toyota tech...

Welcome to the board! I hope you're prepared for the deluge of questions you're likely to get now.

[ps2matrix]

I dont mind as long as I can help.