For the auto-off to function certain conditions have to be met. First, the headlights have to be ON when you turn off the key. In other words, the engine must be running or at least the key must be in the ON position. Second, all doors must be shut. When the little rubber plug fell off my rear cargo door, the switch wasn't pressed and the computer thought the door was still open, so the headlights stayed on and the key fob would not lock the doors.

 

Thanks, all of those conditions are met; the door locks work OK and there's no "door ajar" warning. At one point I found the switch on the driver's door was loose but it just needed retightening. I'm not sure whether the problem would be electrical (a relay?) or in the CPU program which was refreshed last year but the problem existed before that and continues. Unfortunately I have forgotten to mention it when the car is at the dealers.

 

Check that if you press the lock button twice the lights shut off immediately. If not, I think checking door switches is a good place to start.

 

If one of the doors is open or a switch has malfunctioned wouldn't the interior lights also stay on?

 

Not on the 2006-2008 rear cargo door. When it's open only the tiny light in the door stays on provided it's not switched off. That's what happened to me.

 

Could end up being a sticking relay or a bit sticky CPU bit.

 

I'm glad you got it fixed, Mike! You never noticed that the dome light never came on when you opened the driver's door?

 

I always thought it was kind of dumb for them not to come on getting into the car but they came on when I got out because I guess they come on when the car is turned off, they just didn't stay on. This is my first Rav4 but I had Camrys for over 20 years and never paid any attention to how the lights work. Thanks again.

 

I have a 2008 Rav4 and just started having the problem of the headlights staying on, even when I double clicked the keyfob. I went through the steps listed earlier in the site and noticed that the door ajar light came on when any of the doors were open, but not the drivers door. I opened and closed it a number of times and finally the door ajar light lit up when the driver door was open. Then when I closed it and the ajar light went out. Then I tried the double click on the fob and headlights went out as normal. This seem to be intermittent. Not sure what to fiddle with, or even where the driver door switch is or how to get to it. Suggestions ?

 

The door switch sensor is behind the door. It is held by a single screw and is very easy to remove. Part # 84231-60070.

 

Just have a quick look at the connector to see if there is any corrosion/ green crusties in there - would be worth cleaning those up

 

Will look for it and reply. Thanks for the quick reply.

 

Just checked out the switch. I never would have found it without the picture. I am such a moron, but all is good now.
Wish I have known how useful this website it. Great help. Thanks to all.

 

Just checked out the switch. I never would have found it without the picture. I am such a moron, but all is good now. Wish I have known how useful this website it. Great help. Thanks to all.

I just had my drivers side doors fixed and my headlights if left on would not turn off. I read your thread, and decided to see if this was my problem, too. I found the switch and noticed it was missing a screw. I found two screws when I got my car back and it turns out that those screws fit the switch. I tightened them down, then ran a test with my headlights, and they turned off after 30 seconds. Yay! It’s interesting how one little switch can make something go wrong. Thank you!!!