Matrix Electrical/Lighting Problems & Solutions

kjt

Thanks for the info and taking the time to reply. I'll try to figure all this out on the 09 Vibe and see if it doesn't work for me. Thanks again.

kjt

The 2009 DRL control module is located in a different place from the previous years. It's behind the glove box, much easier to get to and work on. Just remove the glove box completely to make it easy. There are 3 white plugins behind the glove box, the bigger and farther to the right is the DRL plugin. The #12 pin that you're looking for is located directly under 2 bigger wires, one is brown and the other white and the 09 models changed the wire color, you are looking for a small blue wire. You can either cut the blue wire or have a service tech remove it from the plug, takes a tool to do it, but at least you can put it back in if you trade the vehicle etc. Either way make sure to tape the ends of the wire. This eliminates the daytime running lights completely and auto headlights at night, but you have total control over your headlights. If you're intent on having daytime running lights (which they are nice to have) you can simply cut the blue wire and wire it into an extra switch on the dash somewhere. Then you can turn the switch off at night and have control of your headlights like any normal vehicle. Either way works, I just use my headlights in the daytime anyway, so don't have any use for daytime running lights and don't have to worry about an extra switch and other wiring to mess up. Once I figured out where to look and what to do, it took the Toyota service tech about 10 minutes to complete the job and get me on the road.
Just remember, the 09's is the #12 blue wire, not red. Thanks goes to this website for your help and especially to 2 great Toyota service techs at the local dealership here who took the time to research and solve my issue on a Pontiac Vibe.
Note: 2009 Matrix, Vibe and Corolla are all located in the same location, behind the glove box

sage3

Hello,
My wife's 2006 XR (with 71K miles on it ) has the original battery which displays a green indicator for good battery yet the car will not start and once jumped runs for about 10 seconds then dies. The belt has about 3/4 on an inch of play at it's longest reachable testing point is that too much play? Any feedback is welcome...

circuitsmith

Once running a loose belt or weak battery will not make the engine die. Does the check engine light come on?

sage3

Yes, the light was coming on at low RPM's.
I thought it was the alternator so I exchanged it for a new one. Now the car will run without dying but i hear a whine that fluctuates with the RPM'S. The vehicle will not start without a jump so I was planning on getting a new battery tomorrow.

sage3

The battery light comes on; not the check engine light. The car manual states that if this light comes on when the engine is running the charging system has a problem?
Once I put in the new alternator the light comes on erratically but the car does not die. Is the battery low on charge or dying?

sage3

Replaced the alternator and battery, all is working fine for 2 weeks now. The noise from the new alternator was from a disconnected ground wire.

DON__FLORIDA

I have an 09 and the tire warning light comes on some times. The tires are fine with proper inflation. The dealer said this can happen in cold weather. If this true I am gald I live in Florida. We do not have many cold days. Does anyone else experience this?

jeffreyfrog

You have a faulty master switch on the drivers door.Could be caused by excess moisture...

az locksmith

jqua

Sounds more like a problem with the dealer.

Have driven a few cars with tire pressure systems..... If temp falls from 60 F down to -10 F I'd have to check them otherwise nada. The temp range in FL at this time of year shouldn't be an issue.

Makes notes on conditions when the warnings are coming on. If it continues sounds like a system fault.

matrixdoug

Should I buy this car. Are these any problems with it? What is the standard maintenance milestones?

funkman

I have a 2006 Matrix and have recenty had the starter replaced a few months ago, The reason the starter was replaced was that the car would not start so I had it towed and that was apparently the problem.

Okay so I thought...

Well a few weeks ago I went somewhere and turned the car off. When I tried to start it again after a few minutes of it being off, it would not start...no noise like it trying to start, just a tiny hum if even that. The dashlights and dome light are all bright and do not dim when attempting to start. I waited about 10 or 15 minutes and eventually it started. Went home, turned it off and tried again and sure enough...would not start. waited for a bit and went out, started right up.

Had the mechanic that replaced the starter check it and he said the connections are all fine and the starter is good. Drove the car for a bit after that and have had no problems. Yesterday it started acting funny again.
The only common thing I can think of is that this seems to happen when I turn it off after a good drive. I work about an hour away from home and had to pick my wife up yesterday and since the car was running for an hour, it was naturally hot. Turned it off to wait for her to come out and after 5 minutes of it cooling, it was still pretty hot and would not start. I let it sit for another 5 and tried..nothing. Again, no noise or dimming of lights. Popped the hood and looked around, nothing out of the ordinary that I can see...no corrosion of the battery terminal, nothing.
Kept the hood open and waited for another 15 minutes and tried it and it tried to turn over but stalled. Waited another minute and it started right up.
Got home, turned it off...no start.

I am at work now and went outside, started right up, but it has been off for a couple hours. Turned it off after running for a minute or two, started right up again. Did this a few times.

At lunch I have to run somewhere that is about a half hour away and will turn it off and try to start it again to see what happens.

Any ideas???

Thanks

agarnto

I have the same problem with no light in the automatic gear shift. I checked the fuse and it was ok but I can not see how you can get inside to replace a bulb. Any suggestions?

alexk9578

alexk9578

I have a 2003 matrix, just replaced the master window switch because the driver side window switch was broken. The driver side window still won't work. I checked all fuses and relays finding nothing wrong. what could possibly be the problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks.

Alex

grunpy39

For a while, I have had a daily problem with a new battery.
With battery +&- attached, battery dies overnight.
With - disconnected, battery holds for work day but not overnight every time I test.
With +&- disconnected, battery holds overnight.
Good starts with jumps.
Everything is OFF when ignition off.
How do I diagnose further?

indgomtrx

The light for my rear defogger that illuminates when turn the headlights on went out on my 2006 Toyota Matrix. The light bulb for when I activate the rear defogger was fine. I hated that the button just didn't illuminate, so I wanted to fix it. I looked online and found some website where someone asked what the part number was, but didn't get a response. Well, I ordered the light bulb, replaced it and am now happy. Replacing it was pretty simple. Can't find that website now, so in case someone needs the info: the part number is 90011-01022 description "bulb, w/cap".

carowner2012

My door open light makes a clicking sound when it flicks on and off
And I am sure all doors and trunk are closed.
This happens on more uneven roads. Highway is fine.
Any help ?

rondo1

I have a 2007 matrix,that did the same thing,it was the back window over the trunk. Looked closed but was not,if you can open the window when the car is locked that's it. The weight of the window bumps the switch when you hit a bump.this worked for me,hope it works for you.

rondo1

You didn't say what year matrix you had,I got a new 2011 matrix and went out and l00ked,this one doe's not fold out,and i am glad of that,I didn't like that any way. Did you find the problem,it may happen on my 2011 matrix and It may help me find it too. post your year model please?

jenz1028

I have a 2005 matrix, upon my last car inspection, what I thought was a burned out light bulb turned out to be a smoldered connector. The plug where the bulb plugs into was charred, so the garage replaced the part. This was in June '13... 4 months later, the exact same piece is fried again... has anyone had this issue? I have complete trust in the garage that I use, therefore I do not think it is faulty work on their part. What concerns me about this is that I have a friend that had a matrix then, one day, just caught on fire (thankfully while not in it)....

The part is going to be replaced again... I am the original owner of this car and other than a recall that came in for a computer board, this has been the issue of significance that has come up.

I also want to mention, that the high-beams still worked, even though the driving light/low-beam did not.