What's Wrong With My Yaris?

[stefandang]

Hey there I'm a newbie here and was just wondering if any of you could shed some light on what's wrong with my Yaris. I'm a new driver, and have just bought my first car - Yaris GS 5-door 2001.

Firstly I noticed the power source (where the cigarette lighter is) was completely dead - two separate appliances wouldn't power up. I've checked the fuses and they all look fine.

Secondly, I drove in the dark for the first time last night, but the dipped headlights don't seem to be bright enough. I even stopped the car to see if the main head/tail lights were on (and not the side-lights!) They were on, but not very bright. Whilst driving home there were no street lights so I had them on full beam, but when a car went past I switched them to dipped - and couldn't see *anything*!! The road signs weren't really reflecting, and I couldn't see any light on the road ahead. The next setting up is full beam and that is very bright - but I dazzle other road users when I put it on that. Especially as I'm a new driver I really don't think it's safe to drive at night until I can see better!

Any thoughts/ideas? I'm about to get the front tyres changed so I will get the garage to look at the lights and power source, but it would be good to get some feedback now if possible. Thanks in advance

Stef

[earpl]

bad earth

[Kev Mc]

Welcome to the club, nice choice of car.

Not sure about the cigarette lighter problem but are you sure you had them on full beam?

If you turn the knob once you get dipped headlights that arent very bright, I mainly use those just as its getting dark or in really cloudy weather.

Then when you turn it again you get normal headlights that are brighter & should allow you to see pretty well, thats what I use most of the time.

The next setting is Full Beam (you push the lever up to switch those on I think) which lets you see for miles but dazzles other drivers so thats usually only used in quiet country lanes etc.

[earpl]

dipped-normal-full?????

sidelights-dipped-full

[stefandang]

Yes I thought when I turned the knob once I would just get side-lights on (as they were so dim); I got out of the car and looked - the side lights were not on - the centre of the lights were on. I even checked the manual, and the little icon in the display indicated that dipped lights were on.

So as I understand it, I turned the knob once to get dipped headlights, but I thought the next turn would be full beam? They were very bright and I was sure I'd dazzle other road users if I left them on. Are these brighter lights the 'normal' setting? Sorry if I sound thick I know nothing about cars and it's all quite scary for me at the mo lol

Stef

[Kev Mc]

dipped-normal-full?????

sidelights-dipped-full

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Lol, ok, been collared, I dont know the terms but its obvious what I meant

[earpl]

turn it once;

1st sidelights

2nd headlights

pull back or push forward, full beam.

[stefandang]

Thanks guys, I will try that :)

[Kev Mc]

Yes I thought when I turned the knob once I would just get side-lights on (as they were so dim); I got out of the car and looked - the side lights were not on - the centre of the lights were on. I even checked the manual, and the little icon in the display indicated that dipped lights were on.

So as I understand it, I turned the knob once to get dipped headlights, but I thought the next turn would be full beam? They were very bright and I was sure I'd dazzle other road users if I left them on. Are these brighter lights the 'normal' setting? Sorry if I sound thick I know nothing about cars and it's all quite scary for me at the mo lol 

Stef

←

No, if you just turn the knob as far as it will go without moving the lever then you wont dazzle any1 (unless you've bought brighter bulbs like some people ).

I'd be lying if I said I didnt do the same thing when I 1st got mine, thankfully I was only driving around a quiet industrial estate close to home so I didnt cause any accidents

[stefandang]

That's really put my mind at ease, that would've saved an embarrassment at the garage! :D

[earpl]

yo!! steffan!! your from macc!!! im from buxton dude!!! :P

[stefandang]

Nice one! :)

yo!! steffan!! your from macc!!! im from buxton dude!!! :P

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[DaveSR]

And with the cig lighter.......you have to have the key in the ignition for it to work as with the radio/tape/cd player!

Glad you got your lights problem sorted too :!Removed!: !

[stefandang]

Already tried that....and no still doesn't work

And with the cig lighter.......you have to have the key in the ignition for it to work as with the radio/tape/cd player!

[Blue84]

Any luck with the lights yet? Is the CD/Tape Player a standard Toyota one or has it been changed to an aftermarket one? I think some people on here had probs with the cig lighter working again after changing stereo units...

Just a thought!

[Moffmo]

Itll be a blown fuse in regard to the cig lighter

I had this problem, in the fuse box below the steering wheel, If you replace the SECOUND from BOTTOM fuse in the most LEFT coloum, you should be sorted..