[Update] Ok, I got the car back from the dealer. The auto-off is now working. They said the reason for the problem was that when they installed the alarm, they incorrectly reversed a pair of wires. (I told them that's what I thought when I first brought the car in, and it still took them 2 days to figure that out...)

When I get the car back, it is dirty with a lot of water/dirt spots on my car. It's kinda late, so I took it directly to a local car wash place and washed it off. ( I should've asked for a coupon though, the car is only 16 days old and has exactly 199 miles)

By the way, I did asked them to put some of those "foam tape" mentioned in some other posts and I even showed him the message with pictures. He basically refused saying that there isn't a TSB about this issue, and they couldn't duplicated the problem either. I can duplicated the issue easily by driving the car over a bump or rough surface. This is not a big deal, I even told them if they give me some of those stick on tape, I will fix them myself. They still refused.

What should I do now? Where can I find one of those tapes? In local automotive stores? Or Homedepot?

Added: When I first brought the car in, the dealer rep told me that my car is not suppose to have an "auto-off" because on the light switch there isn't an "auto" selection. I insisted on it, and even showed him the mannual, and he finally pulled up the car description on his computer (with VIN), then it's clearly marked "standard feature - auto off headlamp".

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According to the manual, when I turn off the engine, and open the door, even if the headlight is still on, the car will shut those lights off (in case of I forgetting it). This will help reducing the chance of running out battery power over night.

My car doesn't do that. I tried a couple times, if simply doesn't shut it off. I am wondering maybe when the dealer installed the Scion Security alarm system, they forgot something.

Can you guys give me some suggestions? What should I do? Bring it back to the dealer?

Thanks in advance...

[ Update ] The car is now in the hand of the toyota dealer people. The car is only 14 days old and with less than 200 miles. Again, it's not a big problem, but still annoying to have.

Why doesn't the auto-off work? any ideas?

Not sure it works for me. Maybe it goes off when you take your key out. I don't pay that much attention to it.

I don't have my manual in front of me, but if I remember right there is an auto-shutoff position for the lights and an always on position on the lights switch, in case you get out of the car and still need the lights on. check which yours is set to.

chris

I think he means headlights, not interior lighting. But to answer your question, after you shut off the engine and pull the key out, you actually have to open the door before the headlights will automatically shut off. If you just take your key out, and sit inside your car to test your lights it wont work. You have to open your door after taking the keys out. Try that next time then let us know how it went. Otherwise, you need to take it back in.

Yeah. If you turn the car off, pull the keys out, and open the door the lights should turn off. If they don't then take it to the dealer.

*it has to be the driver's side door!

I have a 98 Camry that has this function, and I know I have to open the door to enable the auto shut off. I tried several times on the tC, and it won't shut off no matter how many times i open and close the door. So weird.

This is just a small annoyince since that I always turn the light off anyhow. But it makes my car less than perfect.

Bring it to the dealers, shouldnt be too hard of a problem to replicate.

steps to follow.... turn off engine, remove keys, open driver side door... then head lights should be off automatically

Its not a major malfunction, but it would still ____ me off if my car wasnt doing what it is suppose to. I would take it to the dealer.

that never happened to me b/c i never try to notice it and btw, i'd know if i didnt turn off my light, (the alarm will sound)

Update: My car is now in the dealership. They called a few hours later and said that they are still trying to figure out what was the problem, and I have to keep the car there over night.

I don't know what to do, I'm worried if someone is going to drive my car home and have fun with it and put on another 50 miles on there. Or they will tear up the car and put it back together and make my car 50 times worse than before. This is troubling...

Are all of your guys' tC have a good auto-off function? Shuld I call Scion CS about this?

just me, but i would live with it......

They record the mileage when it comes in, and if you see excess amount for work that requires no driving (no alignment, engine noise) then complain and ask "why". It might just be a sensor, they should be "tearing the whole car apart" for that.

This auto off feature is old. my 87 supra has this feature as well. my dad's 91 toyota previa has this same feature. of course the tc would have this feature as well.

Update: My car is now in the dealership. They called a few hours later and said that they are still trying to figure out what was the problem, and I have to keep the car there over night.

I don't know what to do, I'm worried if someone is going to drive my car home and have fun with it and put on another 50 miles on there. Or they will tear up the car and put it back together and make my car 50 times worse than before. This is troubling...

Are all of your guys' tC have a good auto-off function? Shuld I call Scion CS about this?

I know how you feel. I took my car to the dealer today to have the sports steering wheel put on. They said that the have never done this one a tC before. Im sure its not too tough, but i didnt like the fact that they are practicing on my tC. So I kept being paranoid that they did something wrong, especially with the airbags.

Anyway, my point is, they do record the mileage when you bring it in. Its on the receipt that you signed before they took the car in. So I wouldnt worry about that. And when you pick up the car, specifically ASK what they did to diagnose the problem and how they fixed it. That should make you feel a little better. Update us again!

yeah i would defintiely call scion customer service and let them know about this.. i've noticed the scion dealers do a better job when scion is looking over their shoulder...

I wasn't particularly happy about the dealer's less ethusiastic attitude. Should I call Scion and report this? I mean, they weren't doing anything "wrong" or "rude", per se.

The more I think of it, the more I feel like been ____ed off now.

i would call dude, i would deff call,

i cant take much of people's bullsh-- So i would call scion, and Be very nice to them, But be very strong on how ____y you are, But do it in a Nice way, and im sure they wil lbe more then happy to help you

: )

Consider the amount of money you're investing by purchasing their product. They should treat you with more respect than you're describing. Definitely call Scion and let them know what's going on. You should try to be diplomatic and calm when talking to Scion, it'll work better. But don't be a wet mop either. Strong on your stance and what you want and they'll listen.

-s

I'm telling you guys, most dealer are dicks about it when it comes to warranty repair. don't ever go soft on them or they will walk all over you.