After a whole day of riding in a car like a Toyota or a Mitsubishi, you just left the car in the parking lot. But then you noticed that the headlights were still turned on! Trying to turn it off, but it wasn’t working. And you’re like, “Why Won’t My Headlights Turn off?”
Whether the interior or exterior lights generate complications, where the headlights will not switch off, Typically, a defective headlight relay, faulty dimmer switch, broken engine timer, light sensor malfunction, cross circuits, automatic lighting difficulty, turning on the control knob, or other factors cause the automobile headlights to turn on and remain activated. However, you must replace parts or service your batteries.
The headlight problem is quite common, but since we are here, take a deep breath and just read the entire article. We have an A-Z solution for the headlight issue. So, let’s follow up and fix it!
Why Won’t My Headlights Turn Off – Possible Reasons
Most typically, the headlight will not switch off due to a breakdown in the sensor, control module, photocell, or failed relay, as we said earlier. It has happened since enabling power to be delivered to the headlights when the car should be shut off. Most probably you have left any functionality activated that is producing such issues. However, we will uncover the inside or outside lights difficulty below, and the fixes will be given at the end of the content.
What Causes Car Headlights to Remain On?
What is the issue if a car’s headlights are not turning off? We frequently encounter a few conditions. The most notable issues are:
Interior Light Issue:
- Bad dome switch
- Switch failure
- Accidentally activated the switch
- Incorrect switch setting
- A defective light sensor
- Daytime Running Module malfunction
- Switched on the control knob.
Exterior Light Issue:
- A lone Headlight is flashed on.
- Engine timer is broken.
- A defective headlight relay.
- The automatic lights are broken.
- Cross circuits.
- The auto-off feature not operating.
Interior Car Lights Won’t Turn Off
So what does it mean when your inside car lights won’t turn off? Interior lighting difficulties occur as a result of a switch you manually switched “ON” and didn’t turn “OFF,” or something damaged, such as a broken door, switch configuration trouble, or an activated controlling knob. However, more interior lighting troubles are discussed below. Let’s find out what’s yours!
Bad Dome Switch
A broken dome switch is common for car owners who have children. Your dome switch can be turned on and has to be turned off. But kids can probably reach the switch and like playing with it, which makes the situation worse.
Switch Failure
The most typical cause of the headlights remaining on all day is a switch breakdown. Possibly, the door switch breaks and can be detected if the interior light switch is on. Essentially, all of the lights within the automobile are wired to the doors. So, turn off the lights by tapping each switch, which will make a clicking sound. If not, the door switch is faulty.
The headlight switch could potentially have short-circuited, causing the development of heat. The heat might melt the protective coating near the wires or the plastic within the switch mechanism. Eventually, you’ll have a malfunctioning headlight switch that must be switched off before turning off the ignition.
Accidentally Activated The Switch
You must be worried about why my headlights stay on during the day. Without needing it, you might have activated the headlight switch accidentally and forgotten to deactivate it. Most likely, you have accidentally switched on lights like:
- On Dashboard
- On Roof
- On Door.
Therefore, you have to turn the switches off to stop the headlight.
Incorrect Switch Setting
The light switch is normally found on the left side of the steering wheel for turning on the interior lights, but it can also be used to control the headlights. If the setting is not right, you must return it to its previous position; otherwise, the light will remain on.
A Defective Light Sensor
If you are conscious of why your Toyota’s auto headlights are not turning off, here are the facts to know:
- The light sensor diagnostic technique is slightly complicated, but it’s fixable.
- The headlight sensors collect data from various systems and functional sections of the car to identify whether or not the lights should be switched on.
- A sunlight sensor, namely in the auto headlight, is another function that is located at the front of your vehicle to turn on the headlights when the sun sets.
- Additionally, it can be found in the center of the plastic cover beneath your windshield, or it can be found under the glass near the rear-view mirror.
Daytime Running Light Module Malfunction
In general, the relay is attached to the DRL module, or daylight running module, as well as the headlight switch, parking brake, dashboard indication lights, and diodes. Often, module malfunction occurs in the following ways:
- If the light goes off before switching off the ignition key, the fault is with the module that delays the lights from turning off.
- In the case of headlamps, anything that prevents the FCM (front control module) from understanding the correct location of the headlamp switch (malfunctioning or disconnected switch, CCN, or CAN-B bus troubles) will lead the headlamps to continue to illuminate while the key is in the “ON” mode.
- On the other hand, the headlamps keep lighting when the key is in the “OFF” position, indicating the FCM is problematic.
- As a result, as an expert DIY enthusiast or automobile mechanic, make sure you identify the problems and resolve them.
Control Knob Switched On
Did you check your control knob? The light inside your vehicle will not be shut off if it remains on. The main culprit is the dome light. Either of your vehicle’s switches might be stuck in the on position or something might be damaged.
However, you can try sliding the dome light switch to determine if you can lessen it or turn it off totally. You should also remove the bulb to avoid emptying your car’s battery. As a result, we prefer to use automatic mode.
Exterior Car Lights Won’t Turn Off
Not only the interior but also the exterior lights will remain on if you have issues like cross-circuits, the auto option is broken, or some other facts. However, we have explanations below that let the headlights on all the time.
A Lone Headlight is Flashed on
It’s weird but true, that your single headlight might be on due to broken auto light. But how do you turn off your headlights when parked? This is the cause of the lights going out and the other one remaining activated when you use the parking brake. However, check the voltage at the outlet for the headlight fuses with the meter.
The Engine Timer is Broken
Your engine timer sometimes breaks, which makes the light stay on. Sometimes the headlights will turn on automatically during the day according to the daytime light module. Therefore, use the toggle switch to turn the light off. Alternatively, try turning off the headlights before starting the engine. If it works, replace the engine timer.
A Defective Headlight Relay
The majority of car owners confront the light relay issue. First, check the relay’s location. The relay is attached to the headlight magnetic switch that can overheat and malfunction.
A “time delay relay” is frequently found under the hood of your car. This relay receives a signal from the computer to maintain the headlights on for a set period of time.
When lights become stuck and refuse to turn off, the system sends faulty information to the relay. Because the switch is likely inactive, consider replacing the relay with a new one.
The Automatic Lights Are Broken
Nowadays, modern cars include interior lights that automatically come on and go off. As a result, use the parking brake to stop the light from turning on automatically.
The automated headlight crossover method for switching off the Daytime Lights or automatic headlights is available. Simply what you can do are:
- Identify your doom light “on” or “off” switch first. Then, take a 6-second interval, and you will end up hitting the doom light switch 4 times.
- It will turn off your automated headlights plus DRL.
- Remember, reactivating requires the same process to be repeated.
Cross Circuits
Another cause of the parking light staying on is a cross-circuit. You’ll probably notice the dash flickering, so make sure the parking light button is shut off.
The Auto-Off Feature is Not Operating
The latest car models contain an auto-turn-off function. But something outside the auto sensor relay might obstruct the system. Additionally, as previously discussed, the relay timer has the potential to be disturbed and hence keep the light on.
Fix The Drain Battery and Secure the Headlights
Users have queried why their Mitsubishi Outlander headlights won’t turn off and cannot be fixed. Even the engine is not functioning. What could be the reason? Any headlight issue ultimately ruins the battery’s health, so we have decided to share some easy fixing methods for your car’s battery and headlight. Let’s see what we can do!
- Every time, turn off your lights without turning off the ignition.
- In the case of battery drainage risk, first, remove the battery cable from the battery terminal.
- After that, look for the black negative (-) battery connector.
- Now, remove the clamp from the battery by loosening the nut.
- Ensure you remove the relay or fuse to resolve the headlight won’t off problem.
Related car headlight: how much does it cost to replace a car headlight
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes both car headlights to stop working?
Typically, a burned bulb causes both headlights to fail. Also, most headlight failures are due to a defective component, including a relay, fuse, power, or ground issue, and might be a module factor.
Why do headlights stay on when the car is off?
Usually, parking lights stay on when car is off due to a malfunctioning dim switch, faulty headlight switch, delay timer, headlamp relay, or a loose wire that keeps the headlight on even when the automobile is turned off. Also, it happens when the car is programmed that way. You can configure them to turn off quickly or to stay on for longer than the default setting.
How do I manually turn off my headlights?
With the power on and the car in park, you can manually switch off the external lights by rotating the lever to the off position.
How do I reset my car lights?
Simply follow these 3 steps to reset your car’s check engine lights:
1. Put the ignition key on.
2. Turn it on for 1 to 2 seconds, then turn it off for the same amount of time.
3. Continue this step three or four times. The reset will be done!
Bottom Line
Don’t make yourself upset, as we have solved your headlight troubles. Finding out why the headlight won’t turn off can be easily resolved by changing some parts or fixing them from the inside or outside. Besides, if the car has an auto mode or a sensor that shows a code about any malfunction, you can solve it without investing your time in finding the issue.
So, “why won’t my headlights turn off?” should not be an issue anymore since we discovered the facts and solutions. And don’t forget to prioritize the battery’s health if you find out the headlights were on for a long time.
Hello! My name is John Smith. I’m the creator of this website. Since childhood, I had a passion for cars and its mechanisms. So, I started working in the automotive industry when I just left school, and how I have over 10 years of experience in this industry. To make my experience alive through the content I started blogging through Lighting Sparkle. I hope that my experience through the content can help you a lot in making decisions and learning.