Headlights started flashing and clicking the car was off and the lights were off

Tiny
ROSEANNA135
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 289,000 MILES
My car headlights started flashing and clicking while I was asleep. The car was off and the lights were off. It doesn't stop flashing when you try driving it and it shuts off at idle now. The clicking noise was coming from a relay that I unplugged at one point but it only stopped the high beams. Problem still exists. I had to disconnect battery to make it stop.
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 7:02 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
More than likely you have a relay, fuse, or wiring issue. Do they flash consistently or is more of a flicker? Maybe post a video of how they are flashing when the engine is running.

However, I posted the wiring diagram of the headlamps. Looks like you have two relays for the DRL that power the low beam fuses. If one of these is failing it will actually click on and off rapidly which can flash the headlamps.

Is there a horn chirp or anything else going off with this? Again a video will help get us on the same page.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
ROSEANNA135
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
There is surprisingly no horn chirp.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
ROSEANNA135
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I am sick at the moment. First chance I get, I will upload a video. Thank you so much for responding.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay, thanks. I think a video will help get us on the right path. I will wait to hear back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
ROSEANNA135
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Here is a video:
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 7:04 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Yep. That is a failed relay or a short in the circuit. The clicking that you feel is actually the relay opening and closing the contact rapidly.

Check out the guide on how to test it. I would just replace it and if the new one does it then you need to start wiring testing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Great job with the video. That really helped!
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
ROSEANNA135
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you. You have been more than helpful. Saving grace!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You are very kind. Thanks for using 2CarPros. Please come back when you have other questions. We are here to help. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 5th, 2019 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
ROSEANNA135
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I most certainly will. Thank you very much for the help and patience.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 5th, 2019 AT 5:54 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Noise Click Content

VIEW MORE