Need new headlight switch?

Maintenance/Repairs
,
1

2013 Toyota Camry approx 110k mi.

(?Relevant?) Background:
Lagging/jerking when accelerating from 1st to 2nd gear for a couple weeks

First occurrence:
Car drove fine for majority of the day. Towards end of the day yesterday car turned on fine then turned off when I turned the headlights on. Repeated process and same result. Took keys out and the right fog light was on although my headlights were off. After pumping the gas a bit the third try the car did not turn off when I turned the headlights on and I was able to drive it.

Second occurrence:
30 mins later I was still driving and stopped, but not parked, and my car just completely turned off, started rolling backwards bc it was on a small incline. Brakes were applied and while holding the brakes I tried to turn my car on a few times. Turned car on reversed in a parking area, turned the car off and took keys out. There was a burning smell but no smoke, and my fog lights were now on for both headlight despite the headlights being off. Noticed fluid leaking from bottom when I got out and crouched. I want to say that was from me having the AC on high, but I don’t know.

Mechanic update:
Car started today and was taken to a mechanic. Technician did a diagnostic check on it and said +$500 for new headlight switch. I’m concerned because my main problem is the car turning off randomly.

Is this not an alternator or transmission problem?

2

There could be other problems lurking, but the symptoms suggest there’s probably some problem with the headlight control circuity, and that could well be a faulty headlight switch. Unless you can get the other drivability behavior to occur consistently enough to make it occur on demand so the shop can see it, your most $$$-friendly approach is probably to follow the shop’s recommendation to replace the headlight switch. If you feel the cost is too high – seems maybe a little on the pricy side, but still within reason — no harm done to check for quotes at other well-recommended shops in your area.

Probably a good idea to carry a fire extinguisher in the car until this is resolved.

3

The cars BCM may be failing because the fog lights are controlled thru the BCM.

The BCM is located behind the dash.

So you would be able to smell a burning smell if the BCM were failing.

Tester

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