Any way to disable the ‘automatic’ cargo light?

i would like it if the cargo light didn’t come on every time I open the door, I would like it if I could just turn it on with the dash button when I want it on.
Does anyone know if there is a practical way to do that?
Thanks

 

I'd love to know as well. This has bothered me since day one and I'm sure it's just a wire that needs to be clipped.

 

Yeah, maybe someone with a wiring diagram could help

 

Here you go

 

This should get you going....1st 2 pages is simply power sounce for just in case. Last 3 should help you let the smoke out

edit.....woops, looks like TX-TRD posted 1 page already !

Here's also a link to 2000-2003 FSM. One of the links in the index concerns Tundra along with many other Toyota's and one of the 2 documents available under Tundra is a FSM pdf for 2000-2003 if it will help.

http://toyota.aitnet.org/Toyota/

 

Check your owners manual. I remember this annoying me on my 05 DC. There is a setting in the body computer you can change with the tech stream software for this. I want to say there was a setting to stop the door locks from triggering it and another where you can change the time it stays on to 0 and it will only work on the dash switch. I think if you change both you will get the desired behavior but its been about 10 years since I did it so no guarantees.

Edit*** There are different wire diagrams for the different cabs. Yes, you could just snip the wire from the integration relay to the cargo lamp.

 

Or one could just remove the bulb. Mine hadn't worked since I got the truck several years ago, and only recently while doing the LED swap in the interior did I check the cargo light and found the reason to be an empty bulb holder. I put a new bulb in and now the darn thing works all too well. I'm thinking or removing the bulb as it bothers me now, always going on whenever I open the door or use the ignition key.

 

What light are you guys talking about? The one on the roof to light up the bed?

 

That was the obvious solution but he wanted to use only the cargo switch. The reason I looked into it back then was it started to discolor the lens. When I opened it the reflector plastic had started melting. Someone installed the wrong bulb. Snip the wire from the integration relay or change the settings with the techstream.

 

Yes.

 

Why would that light bother anyone?

 

The one on the bed. It makes my truck look less dark at night.

 

I like my OEM set up. Just in case a bad guy is hiding in my bed, the light will shine upon him and scare him away.

 

Yes it is an obvious solution and preferable to snipping wires IMHO. When I installed the new bulb I didn't know that it went on automatically, thinking it was only switch activated. I also made a point of putting in a very high output LED that acts as a flood light, extra helpful when backing up in the dark. Downside is when I go out early in the morning to go fishing and access my cab to load my gear the light comes on and floods my neighbors daughter's bedroom. Not too neighborly. I wish it was switched differently; I am constantly moving quickly to turn it off and it has become rather annoying. I will probably go with a lower output light source.

 

+1, I like it coming on when I open the door. I use it to locate newspaper in the dark. Also with LEDs i can skin and 1/4 a deer.

 

I just took the bulb out of mine. I installed rear facing flood lights anyway.

 

The main reason it bothers me is because I sincerely believe Toyota has a flawed design there. Everybody with a first gen who has removed the lense on that light found melted housing, so I like those lights off as much as possible.

I pulled a fuse on mine but that also disabled using it if I wanted to. I've never found that light to be useful.

 

I installed LEDs in the sockets:

4pcs 912 921 LED Bulbs Backup Reverse Lights, 15 SMD Extremely Bright 2835 Chipsets Non-polarity W16W T15 T10 LED Bulb for Backup Reverse Lights, 6500k White

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BMQKSPL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These LEDs use 7.2watts as compared to the supposed 18watts of the OEM, so my hopes are they run cooler. They sure are brighter. I'll keep a watch out for heat issues, but frankly I turn them off almost as fast as they turn themselves on to limit battery drain even though I'm fairly sure the drain is minimal.

 

I will look into the tech stream action soon, the 4runner could use some customization thru that, lengthen the light cycles for courtesy lighting(puddle lights off the side mirrors, I know wow!!!) and turning off the seat belt chime!!!!!! Yes you can do that!
Tundra:
I will lengthen the cycles on that cargo circuit/dome light if it’s the same, and I would tap into that circuit to power a LED pod at the tail gate to shine inward(not in my eyes!!) into the bed of the truck. Also might do a amber removable pod facing the rear(Baja fan boy love) in one of the bed posts.

 

Would you care to translate that for those who are both interested and ignorant of the subject matter, with myself keenly aware that I lead the field. Thank you.

 

Just push the button.

 

I’m interested to see where people get with the reprogramming, I don’t have that readily available.
I’m going to give the wiring diagram a look and see if I can come up with a hardware based solution.

I didn’t really care about it when I had dim (stock) lights in there, but they were also pretty useless, so I put some LEDs in (just like the ones marbleville posted) and they’re super bright, which is great for actual function, but overkill the rest of the time.

Anyone here have the ability to try reprogramming?

 

So you can buy a blue toof obd2 port, you then download a “tech stream” app on your phone or whatever, and you then have access to a bunch of different settings. It allows you to change the length of how long certain lights stay on, or if they come on at all. You can turn off the seat belt chime for when you unbuckle and don’t wanna hear that thing. On the 5th gen Runner I know there are a bunch of other options but I haven’t got into it to find out....yet

 

Techstream is the dealer software, and I'm not aware of any way to run it on a phone. You can run Torque Pro on an Android phone, but that won't give you the full functionality of Techstream.

I have Techstream running on an old XP laptop. It does give full dealer functionality. On my wife's 2013 Prius, I was able to adjust seat belt chime, auto door locks, and I programmed a new FOB -- which you can no longer do with the "chicken dance" proceedure. I didn't get into adjusting courtesy light functions... but I'm sure it's in there.

I doubt that level of control is available on the 2000 - 2004 Tundras. Probably on the 2005 and newer it is though.

 

Any chance you want to try it? You have the techstream and a 2000 Tundra...

I don’t think there’s a simple mechanical way to ‘fix’ this problem, the third brake light appears to share the same wires.

 

I never heard of doing any of that on our trucks. I know it is common in the VW community but not here. Is there a function to change the paint to black? Some guys here need that one

 

I solved the melting housing assy by installing metallic foil tape where the burns happened and then installed LED landscape bulbs like 10 years ago (way ahead of my time and they worked except their frequency messed with my fob distance).

Just unplug the bulbs if they bother you and be done with it.

The newer installed LED bulbs have restored my fob action and light up the neighbor like a baseball field at night!

 

Sure. I won't get to it for a while but I can check it out.

 

Isn't there a switch? Mine has one.

 

Not trying to be a smartass here (for once), but why do you need this? I don’t see why it’s a problem for it to come on.
@NewImprovedRon knows the electrical pretty well, so he may be able to help.