1987 camry- electrical problem?

[thecornking]

hello everyone,

i have been the happy owner of this model camry. but recently i have been having an electrical problem. the rear taillights,liecense plate lights, control panel, and lights ON warning buzzer have not worked for about 4 days now.

i checked the fuses and this particular one was blown. i replaced it and it immediately blew again.

will i have to take this in to a dealership/mechanic? will this cost me a lot of money (like more than the car is worth)

its undrivable at night so the car is basically worthless right now.

[CraigW]

There are issues with the group of wires that flex and move with the opening and closing of the trunk. I would check those wires as a start.

Also what is the name of the fuses location.

[thecornking]

Originally Posted by CraigW

There are issues with the group of wires that flex and move with the opening and closing of the trunk. I would check those wires as a start.

Also what is the name of the fuses location.

its on the drivers side kick-panel. in the fuse box, top row, far right (of four fuses along the top row) i hope that answers your question.

i tried the trunk and it wouldnt even open, its cold here but the other doors seem to open up fine. i havent tried to open the trunk since the taillights went out, tho. hopefully i just need some lock de-icer but somehow i doubt it based on your analysis.

BTW, my car doesnt have an automatic trunk opening switch in the cab, if that matters re: the wire problem

[drugal]

Sounds like you have a short in the wiring to the trunk like CraigW said. The fuse you described is the "TAIL" fuse, which powers the rear lights and dashboard lights.

Open the trunk, and look for where the wires attatched to it flex when you open/close it. These wires eventually break from being bent back and forth, which could lead to a short circuit. You might have to cut away some of the electrical tape stuff on the wires to get a look at them.

[thecornking]

Originally Posted by drugal

Sounds like you have a short in the wiring to the trunk like CraigW said. The fuse you described is the "TAIL" fuse, which powers the rear lights and dashboard lights.

Open the trunk, and look for where the wires attatched to it flex when you open/close it. These wires eventually break from being bent back and forth, which could lead to a short circuit. You might have to cut away some of the electrical tape stuff on the wires to get a look at them.

thanks!

i will try that as soon as i can open my trunk.
umm, what can i do if CraigW is right and the wires are broken?

is this a DIY job?

[Pineapple]

Remove the bulbs and see if the sokcets are melted. Some time the bulb got so hot it melt the plastic housing and wires.

[CraigW]

If you find broken, bare or damaged insulation on any of the wires in that area you can repair and tape individual wires from each other and then tape the entire bundle once finished.

[fredk]

unplug the wire heading up the hinge, its hidden inside the trunk lid frame when you open it, its in between the metal sheets on the left side near the bend right where the wires reappear and go across to the sockets, then see if the fuse blows with this disconnected, then unhook the other connectors and hook this one back up, then hook each one back together from right to left and check the fuse each time

[anuthaCamry]

remove fuse, disconnect battery and test resistance from load side of fuse holder to ground while unplugging and plugging back in connectors, eventually you will find the problem

please elaborate below