Toyota Tacoma Headlights

Diagnosing Toyota Tacoma Headlight Assembly Problems

Your Toyota Tacoma headlight assembly is an essential part of your vehicle. It ensures your safety while driving at night or in poorly lit road conditions. Located on the front of your car, the headlights can easily be damaged by various road substances. Knowing the usual problems in your headlight assembly and their causes will be very helpful in determining how to fix it. The following are the common headlight troubles you might encounter with your Toyota Tacoma:

Dimming

If you notice your headlights dimming especially when you're driving at night, check on them as soon as possible because there may be electrical glitches that need to be given proper attention. Usually, dimming occurs because of a bad alternator. The alternator is responsible for keeping the battery charged. That's why when it becomes defective, the battery loses its power quickly and then causes the headlights to dim. To know if the power in your battery is flowing properly, it is best to use a volt meter.

Headlights not working

If only one headlight is not functioning, the reason would be a burned-out bulb. Bulbs die out eventually, and that's normal. Generally, a Toyota Tacoma headlight can last up to a maximum of 2,000 hours or 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year. But premature failure of the headlight could be due to a weak filament or when the vehicle is often driven on rough roads. If, on the other hand, both headlights are not working, the most likely cause would be a bad fuse, relay, or faulty wiring.

Short circuit

Electrical shorts are usually caused by moisture in the headlight housing or damage in the wirings. Moisture usually builds up when the seal on the headlight lens gets worn out. It eventually reaches the bulb terminals, which causes the short or the bulbs to blow out. You might want to check your headlight housing for cracks, which could be where the moisture originated. Frayed wiring can also result into a short circuit, and in this case, you will need the help of a professional. Lastly, you can check on the headlight fuse for damage as well. If the metal strip inside it is broken, the fuse would have to be replaced to prevent more incidents of electrical short.

• Headlights are mounted symmetrically on the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. Its shape varies depending on the car’s overall design.
• A headlight is an assembly that includes the main headlight bulb, turn indicators, and reflectors inside a plastic or metal housing and sealed by the headlight lens.
• The main purpose of the headlight is to illuminate the road on poorly-lit areas at night. 
• High-beams are used in areas with little to no street lights because the light is projected higher than regular lighting.
• Toyota Tacoma headlights usually cost roughly around $60 to $2,100.
• Watch out for dimming, flickering, or lights that won’t switch on.

 

In an effort to meet Canadian and American car buyers’ standards, Toyota abandoned the Hilux in the US market to give way for a new model. In 1995, Toyota released the Tacoma in the midsize pickup truck segment. Then, in 2005, the Toyota Tacoma was awarded MotorTrend’s “Truck of the Year”. 13 years later, it overtook the Ford Ranger’s sales after selling 245,000 units, a 24% boost in total sales that year.

 

The Toyota Tacoma’s headlights serve as the eyes of its fascia. However, the headlights aren’t there just to give your truck an aggressive look. The headlights are integrated to provide safety and convenience on your trips, especially in low-light conditions. Here’s a detailed read about Toyota Tacoma headlights.

 

Any car is integrated with a set of interior and exterior lighting systems. The exterior has two primary light sources and they are found in the front and at the back. In front are the headlights and fog lights, with the headlights being the main lighting system. 

 

Headlights are mounted symmetrically on the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. Its shape varies depending on the car’s overall design. It comes as an assembly that includes the main headlight bulb, turn indicators, and reflectors inside a plastic or metal housing that is sealed by the headlight lens.

 

The main purpose of the headlight is to illuminate the road at night and in poorly-lit areas. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to see potholes, speed bumps, road debris, and crossing raccoons during night drives. Aside from casting light on the road, it also makes your vehicle visible to other drivers. You may also use it as a mode of signaling drivers that you’re making a turn by toggling the blinkers.

 

There are two lighting modes of the headlights: the low-beam and high-beam. The normal headlight angle points a little downward than leveled, which is the perfect angle for illuminating the road without blinding other drivers. 

 

High-beams, on the other hand, are used in areas with little to no street lights because the light is projected higher than regular lighting. The angle is helpful for having a clearer and wider view of the road. However, it is blinding to other drivers. Make sure you switch your high-beams off at least 150 meters away from oncoming traffic.

 

 

OE replacement headlights

OE replacement parts replace your factory/stock parts without any adjustments and modifications. Its design and appearance are almost identical to the factory-fitted headlights your Toyota Tacoma has. OE replacement headlights are the best option if you want to retain that authentic out-from-the-factory look on your truck.

 

OE upgrade headlights

If you want to improve your Toyota Tacoma’s appearance, OE upgrade parts are the way to go. OE upgrade headlights offer aftermarket designs, different materials, and color options. For example, an OE upgrade headlight could feature additional black bezels around the outline of the assembly. There are also products with smoked housing, while others feature LED strips and projector beams.

 

If you’re worried about the product’s quality, then look for parts that are labeled CAPA-certified. The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) is an independent non-profit organization that standardizes the quality of automotive replacement parts. CAPA-certified parts undergo strict inspection and testing so you can guarantee that you’re getting what you’re paying for. Parts with CAPA certification include OEM fitting and tested durability. 

 

Headlights for the Toyota Tacoma vary in looks, fitting, and installation. That’s because there have been three generations of the truck (as of 2019) and each one features distinct design. To get an accurate list of headlights fit for your truck, indicate the year, make, and model on our search menu’s filter tab. You should get a list of items that best match the details you’ve input. You can further customize this by selecting from the categories listed in the “Shop By” section.

 

Toyota Tacoma headlights usually cost roughly around $60 to $2,100. This price range includes individually sold items, as well as kits, and pairs. All headlight replacements and upgrades for the Toyota Tacoma feature direct-fit installation. There are items with clear lenses, as well as black and chrome interiors.

 

You don’t need to be an expert to tell something’s wrong with your headlights. Here are some signs of failing headlights.

 

Dimming lights

The earliest sign of failing headlights is the dimming of the bulb. It may be difficult to notice at first, but you should be able to observe this over time. Dimmed headlights could lead to flickering and lights that won’t open.

 

Flickering lights

Failing to deal with dimming headlights may lead to flickering. However, there are some cases where flickering is the first sign of trouble. Flickering lights are caused by electrical wiring problems and worn-out bulbs. Remember that flickering can stress the bulb worse than having it turned on for an extended period, so don’t waste time and have it checked or replaced right away.

 

Lights that won’t turn on

The worst of all symptoms is a light that won’t switch on. This means that the bulbs have totally gone out and the only choice you have is to replace them. Other reasons for replacing your headlights include broken or cracked headlight lens, busted housing, and broken bulb mounts that won’t let you properly install one in.

Can you ever imagine driving in total darkness without your trusty Toyota Tacoma headlight assembly? You would have to struggle squinting your eyes, hoping you'd clearly see the road ahead but to no avail. That would be pretty tough and not to mention, extremely dangerous. That is why it is important to keep your headlights clear and sufficiently bright at all times. Here are a few things you can do to ensure the proper maintenance of your headlights:Keep your headlights clean.

• Do not allow dirt to build up.

There is actually no standard frequency of how often you should clean your headlights. But to be sure, you may clean your headlights at least once a week so that dirt will not accumulate over time. Because once you let filthy substances build up on your headlights, you would definitely find them difficult to remove.

• Select effective cleaning materials.

In cleaning your headlights, it is essential to pick out the right cleaning tools and techniques. Among the most popular cleaning methods is the application of toothpaste. Many car owners have attested to its effectiveness. With the use of a soft cloth, you simply apply an adequate amount of toothpaste on the exterior of your headlights. It is not advisable to use whitening or mint toothpaste because they contain substances that could damage the headlights instead.You can also use acrylic conditioner, which prevents acrylic lens oxidation that causes cloudiness and yellowing on the headlight lens. Other items that you can try as well are aluminum polishing compounds, sand paper, carburetor cleaner, and the WD-40.

Examine your headlights for cracks.A broken headlight lens does not only look unpleasant; it is also very inconvenient. Cracks can serve as entry points for moisture and other dirt particles, which could damage your headlights in the long run. So it is best to frequently inspect your headlights for cracks to fix the problem as early as possible and to avoid greater damages.It is not necessary to immediately replace your cracked or pitted lens, though. That would be very expensive when you can opt for products that can smooth out the cracks.

How to Take Care of Your Toyota Tacoma Headlight

Driving your Toyota truck through clear roads is a pleasurable experience. You can feel your truck stretching its legs to your delight while you also appreciate the clear horizon and sunset. As it gets darker, you switch on your Toyota Tacoma headlight. Now, you have a beam illuminating the road and exposing road bogeys. To ensure this component of your Toyota truck keeps on providing you ample bright light on your night trips, you should learn how to take care of it. Unable to do so can leave you visually impaired when driving in the dark. And that is definitely not a good thing. Here are some maintenance tips for your Toyota Tacoma headlight.

• Rinse your Toyota Tacoma headlight with clean water.

Rinsing your headlight with a steady stream of clean water gets rid of the loose layer of dirt that has accumulated on the surface. The procedure can provide cleaning function by itself. However, it can also be done before and after scrubbing. Just remember to wipe your headlights dry after washing using a clean dry cloth.

• Scrub your headlights during your regular car wash

Rinsing off with water will not always do the job of eliminating the dirt and grime that have accumulated on your headlight. You can further clean your headlight by getting a wash mitt or sponge soaked in a car shampoo solution. The formulation of the car shampoo aids the removal of the elements sticking to the lens. Scrub the lens gently to remove dirt and make it clear again. Any harsher might scratch the lens. After a few passes with the sponge, your headlight should be good to go.

• Brush crevices to remove particles that are hard to reach.

If you follow the outline of your headlight, there will be some areas near the fenders, grille, and bumper that can house dirt and grime. Sometimes, these areas are not reached when you just use sponge. In order to remove the particles that have accumulated in those spaces, you should use a brush soaked in your car shampoo solution.

• Don't forget to buff your headlights.

Applying headlight polish to the lens will add extra protection to its material. But you have to buff it to leave enough layer of protection without impeding light travel.