Gen 2 backup tail lights not working

[UCLAlumni]

Hi everyone.

I've been lurking for a while on the TN boards and learning a great deal about cars . You all really provide a valuable service to everyone who comes here to find out how to mod or maintain their Camrys.

I have a 88 3sfe 4-cyl. I've had it since 1990, and so it has a lot of sentimental value. Everything is stock and enjoy it that way--no worries about someone stealing it or picking up little nicks/dings. I just need it as reliable transportation to get me from point A to point B; I have other financial responsibilities to consider (mortgage, young family, etc.). I have 170k miles on it and plan to keep it until it can't go anymore.

The car runs fine with no real complaints; I wish it had more acceleration and didn't leak a little oil, but am not willing to spend money on it right now to improve the situation.

Anyway, my "backup" center tail lights do not work because the contacts that provide electricity to the bulbs are corroded and do not maintain connectivity. I want them to work for safety reasons. Can I solder the contacts to the bulbs, or should I just purchase the entire "backup" tail light assembly from a junkyard or internet?

Have any other Gen 2 owners run into this problem? If so, what did you do to fix it?

Any feedback is appreciated.

[UCLAlumni]

Bump for anybody's input. Thanks.

[rpage53]

I just discovered the same problem with my '88 Camry. The lights and sockets in the trunk are OK though. I suspect that the contact on the automatic shift lever on the centre console is the problem. I won't be able to check it out for a week though.

Rick.

[alex86]

im not too much of an expert in this area but i would have to say cut the bad wire off and strip the wire cover so u can solder it bak on. thats wat i would do if it isnt that much of a pain to do

[McTimson]

If it's the actual lights in the back, I would just solder them on, try the best you can to fix it, and then if it doesnt work, go for the junkyard. I've never heard of the bulb socket becoming corroded, but I guess it could happen. Have you tried just cleaning off the corrosion like you would with a battery?

[UCLAlumni]

Thanks for the replies and recommendations, guys.

The problem arose when I tried to replace the bulbs (pushed them into the socket and turned them a 1/4 turn), the particleboard piece that holds the contacts in place simply fell apart. Thus, there was any contact to the bulbs. I eventually bought a set of the entire backup light assembly off of eBay (99 cents, then 10 bucks to ship them to Cali), cut the wires leading to the bulbs, and then rewired them. As good as new!!

During the Christmas / New Year's holiday, I also redded out the orange part of my tail lights using Testor's transluscent candyapple red model spray paint that some of you have done. It looks niiice!

UFoz, I graduated from UCLA in the dark ages (1990s). While dabbling in the corporate banking and Big 6 (now Big 4) world, I moonlighted for 3 years as a USC evening MBA student (yes, I graduated). Since then, I've been working in the IT industry for several technology firms and now at a worldwide consumer products company. Good luck with your upper division classes, dude. Enjoy your ride (it's one of the sweetest on these boards), but remember to take advantage of the academics, activities, and diverse people you meet at UCLA.

[CraigW]

You can get some universal/generic sockets at the auto parts store and wire them in. You will just need to figure a way to mount them, Maybe a small dab of RTV sealant or similar would hold them in place.