On the overhead panel with the two personal interior lights, has a three position rocker switch that either keeps lights off or on, and center position controls interior lights when a door is opened/closed. We very seldom have needed to move switch from center position and was surprised when lights did not illuminate. Can get lights to go on by jiggling the rocker to the "on" side, but then go off with vibration. So conclude the switch has gone bad. Checked the owners manual and does not appear to be any other control switch that would keep lights off. Has anyone experienced this failure? Can I "easily" replace the switch or is this something that best left to ($$$) Toyota dealer?
Are you sure it's a bad switch; not a bad bulb connection? If the lamp stops working due to vibration - I'd lean more towards connection issue. I've replaced mine with LED bulbs (T10) so I'm pretty familiar with the internals there. It's pretty easy to access; several youtube videos to get in there. Hope this helps.....
Thanks. If I hold the switch to ON position bulbs stay on OK. When I let go bulbs may or may not stay lit. If I push the centered rocker up hard then lights come on with door open, and when door closes, lamps will time out and dim out like they used to do. So that tells me its the switch or bad connection that is causing the lamp outages. What terms would I search on YouTube to find how to access the switch removal/replacement?
The Japanese use grease in electrical connection to prevent corrosion and fluid invasion. It's a common practice. If you can bend those contacts in a bit and perhaps use some contact cleaner, should resolve your problem. $180 isn't too bad, maybe a junk yard replacement is in order.....
So the rest of the story. Had an automotive shop pry the assembly out of the ceiling (doesn't fall out like those youtubes show). I then tried following the youtubes on how to get it apart. Those plastic pieces are in there tighter than Fort Knox (pry up one edge and move on and first edge snaps back in.) Gave up and ordered a new panel which was in stock. When I got home found that the new one did not come with the hands free microphone (that I have never used). Spent several hours not seeing how parts come out without damage. Took stuff with me to Toyota dealer to show what I needed, and schedule time for a technician to make everything right side up. The service writer took one look grabbed a small screwdriver and in 5 minutes swapped the parts and sent me on my way, no charge. Plugged in unit worked, snapped into ceiling and done.. Now that's what I call Toyota service.! Anyone want a interior panel with a broken rocker switch??
How many gouge marks on the plastic is there Just kidding; I'm used to snapping apart toys that the kids break - so I got mine apart without too much hassle.