Dash light and parking light flickers each time I open and close door

Tiny
BEBOBEBO
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Hi, I noticed this problem yesterday, and I noticed that dome light at door open mode is not turn off even if I shuts down car and lock it, the bulb I used is led one and I used it for years and last time iv replaced it was 5 months ago, but I dont know the cause of this flickering that started yesterday? The flickers continue for 30 sec (and continue even I turn off car ) and returns every time I open and close door.
I noticed that the problem resolve when I remove the led bulb, and I replace bulb with new led but problem returned. Can u please till me what to do? , Does halogen light should be used despite the led bulb has no problems for years, or is it the switch itself that change light mode ( on, of, door open ) or other major problem at BCM
The car door sensors are ok as car dash show when open any of them.
I did decrease light degree at dash area, I thought this will make dome turn off but not work. Can u help please
Thanx
Saturday, December 20th, 2025 AT 3:37 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,331 POSTS
Yes, I would remove the LED and replace it with the stock OEM bulb first. Then, if that does not fix it I would do a CAN scan to see if any codes are stored, chances are the main body ECU (BCM) is bad but you can try doing a hard system reboot as well I have seen this fix the problem as well. Please go over this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INiDRO5A5MY

here is how to do the can scan

CAN SCAN - https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

You may have corrosion on the electrical connector @ the BCM as well, I have seen that cause the issue as well FYI, disconnect the 12 volt battery first. Here is the location of the main body ECU. Check out the images (below). Please upload an image or a short video in your response.

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Sunday, December 21st, 2025 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
BEBOBEBO
  • MEMBER
  • 120 POSTS
Hi sir, thanx for reply, I did install halogen oem light and problem resolved, but ihave two questions.
First why led become not tolerated by car despite iam using them for more than 10 years with out problem?
Second : I want white color bulb and halogen is yellow, is there way to reuse led again or other alternatives with white color bulb?
Thanx
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Sunday, December 21st, 2025 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,331 POSTS
The BCM is is built for the resistance of the regular filament bulb, the LED is super low resistance so the BCM can overheat and get weak over time, in your case 10 years. They should make white color halogen bulbs, can I ask which bulbs these are? Running or interior/dash lights? Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know.
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Monday, December 22nd, 2025 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
BEBOBEBO
  • MEMBER
  • 120 POSTS
Thanx too much, it is 31 mm frosted dome ceiling light
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Monday, December 22nd, 2025 AT 9:52 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,331 POSTS
Gotcha, so they offer different color light for that if you go by Autozone they should have one.
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Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 AT 9:52 AM
Tiny
BEBOBEBO
  • MEMBER
  • 120 POSTS
  • 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Hi,
Observed Problem:

- When the vehicle is OFF and a door is opened, the dash illumination and parking lights may begin to flicker ON/OFF.
- A warning message appears on the dash: "TURN LIGHTS OFF".
- Once the abnormal behavior starts, it repeats every time a door is opened during that event until it stops automatically.
- Each episode lasts approximately 30-40 seconds, then the system returns to normal.
- The abnormal behavior itself appears randomly / intermittently.

Relevant History:

- An LED bulb had been installed in the center dome light for a long period prior to the issue, without previous problems.
- At a later time, the LED dome light began to remain ON in automatic (door) mode, even when it should have turned OFF.
- At the same time, opening a door caused the dash illumination and parking lights to activate abnormally every time the door was opened.
- The LED dome bulb was then replaced with a halogen bulb, after which the abnormal behavior resolved completely.
- Subsequently, fog lights were installed using a relay and fused battery supply.
- After continued vehicle use, the same type of dash and parking light behavior has reappeared intermittently when opening a door, despite the dome light now using a halogen bulb.
Fog Light Wiring Information:
- Fog lights are wired using a relay-based configuration:
†Terminal 30: Battery positive (fused)
†Terminal 85: Chassis ground
†Terminal 86: Trigger signal
†Terminal 87: Output to fog lights

Important Characteristics:

- The abnormal behavior is initiated only by opening a door (courtesy-light activation).
- It can continue even after the door is closed until the event times out.
- All other vehicle systems operate normally (driving, locking, windows, charging).
- No permanent warning lights or stored fault codes are present.

Questions for Professional Diagnosis:
- Which systems or circuits should be inspected to identify the cause of intermittent dash and parking light activation when opening a door with the vehicle OFF?
- could be bad type cheap relay, or the cheap aftermarket fog led
- What diagnostic steps would you recommend to isolate the source of this condition, given its intermittent nature?
- Are there known checks or service bulletins related to courtesy-light or lighting-control behavior on this model?
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Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 AT 9:38 AM (Merged)

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