# Random Flashing Headlights **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** electrical-wiring, toyota\ **Created:** [July 31, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771 "2015-07-31T19:41:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TaylorMerrill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TaylorMerrill](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorMerrill)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/1 "2015-07-31T19:41:20Z")
Hello, I am new to the forum but excited to be here and looking for any help/advice I can receive and hope to be able to reciprocate when possible. I have a 2002 Toyota Corolla. The issue I have been having is that the headlamps and tail lamps are flashing randomly. They flash for about 10 seconds then stop for about 30 seconds then flash again. There is also a clicking sound(similar to the one made when the hazards are on) heard from the inside. I know it is not the hazards because when I turn the hazards on their is another, separate clicking noise made and the flashing lights are brighter. I have attempted to reset the computer, pull out and put back in all fuses to no avail. Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated. I would be happy to clarify any foggy or missing details if needed. Thank you in advance. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/2 "2015-07-31T19:49:36Z")
Sounds like an alarm to me. Does your Corolla have a factory alarm that maybe has a bad horn output, or an aftermarket alarm by chance? ---
**Author:** ![researcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@researcher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/researcher)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/3 "2015-07-31T20:34:04Z")
This is most likely the circuit breaker for the head light / tail light circuit cycling. If the breaker is cycling that means you have a short circuit somewhere. If you have an added trailer electrical hook up, check the wiring for a rub through or grounding. If not, you will have to inspect each corner light housing for wiring problems. It might be a short in the wring to or the combination switch on the steering column. You will shortly find out why auto electrical repair costs so much. ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/4 "2015-07-31T20:45:43Z")
There is only 3 relays in the headlight circuit, Headlight, DRL and dimmer. Pull them on at a time until the clicking stops. It is either a faulty relay, faulty connection to the relay coil or what is driving that coil is faulty. ---
**Author:** ![TaylorMerrill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TaylorMerrill](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorMerrill)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/5 "2015-07-31T20:48:22Z")
Shadowfax, I do not believe it has an alarm. It is a very basic model with manual everything. Researcher, I do not have an added trailer hookup so I hope that rules that out. I recently replaced the brake light switch plug, which is near that whole steering column area. Is it possible that I interfered with anything down there that would cause this? I am more than willing to check each corner light to remedy the problem. How would able be able to tell if there are problems with the wiring? ---
**Author:** ![TaylorMerrill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TaylorMerrill](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorMerrill)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/6 "2015-07-31T20:54:58Z")
knfenimore, if there is something faulty with one of those relays, is that something I can do myself and if not would it be costly to have it done? Thank you for the pictures, very helpful. ---
**Author:** ![TaylorMerrill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TaylorMerrill](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorMerrill)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/7 "2015-07-31T21:42:52Z")
Shadowfax, I was actually mistaken. My car does have an aftermarket alarm. How should I proceed? ---
**Author:** ![researcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@researcher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/researcher)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/8 "2015-07-31T21:51:03Z")
I stand corrected. I don’t see any circuit breaker in the circuit diagram. It may be something with the Day Light Running ligtht relay circuitry. No more help here. Sorry ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/9 "2015-07-31T21:55:04Z")
Depends on what alarm it has. The trouble with aftermarket alarms is that there are a lot of them, and they aren’t always, or even often, installed very well. Do you still have the key fobs for the alarm? Otherwise, try to determine what kind of alarm it has. If you don’t have documentation, try looking under the dash behind the radio - that’s where a lot of installers put the central alarm module, which should have a label on it telling you what brand. Most of them have various tricks you can do to turn the alarm off without having a key fob, such as cycling the key from off to on 5 times rapidly. ---
**Author:** ![TaylorMerrill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TaylorMerrill](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorMerrill)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/10 "2015-07-31T23:16:04Z")
I was not given any key fobs for the alarm. Once I locate it, is there a way I can remove it so I no longer have to worry about it? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 4:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/11 "2015-08-01T04:52:58Z")
Since you have an aftermarket alarm, that would be the first suspect. Before considering other possibilities, suggest to rule that one out first. You’re going to have to find out what kind of alarm it is, who the manufacturer is. That’s probably the first task. If you feel lucky, you could have a quick look-see down in the area where you were replacing that brake switch connector. You might spot something that has come disconnected. ---
**Author:** ![TaylorMerrill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TaylorMerrill](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorMerrill)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/12 "2015-08-01T16:26:51Z")
I will definitely try that first. If it is the alarm, would that be very difficult to remove? ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/13 "2015-08-01T16:43:54Z")
see if it has a fuze you can pull. ---
**Author:** ![TaylorMerrill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TaylorMerrill](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TaylorMerrill)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/14 "2015-08-01T19:30:57Z")
![](http://i.ebayimg.com/10/!BcsWclgBWk~%24(KGrHqUH-DkEqutDJNbHBK1kiIN1nw~~_35.JPG) This is what my switch looks like, it is after market right? ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/15 "2015-08-01T23:21:29Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/16 "2015-08-02T01:10:40Z")
Bad aftermafket imho. REALLY? ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-flashing-headlights/90771/17 "2015-08-02T22:10:59Z")
Do they only flash in Auto mode or can you turn them on manually and they work? The relays are either under the dash or under the hood. I would look for the clicking relay and replace it. They pull right out of the fuse block. You can swap it with another relay in the fuse panel that has the same part number printed on it.