89 Camry brake lights - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

caperail · 09-09-2005, 06:01 PM

I have an 89 Camry with brake lights that aren't working. The shifter lock is also not functioning (auto trans).

I have pulled the plug off the brake light switch, and I'm not getting any power into the switch. When I apply power to the Green/White wire, the lights all function and the shifter lock clicks. Therefore I don't think the switch is the problem, I think it has to be something upstream.

The fuse box cover is long gone, so I have no idea what fuse does what, but my repair manual shows a 15 amp fuse for the brake lights. I have one 15 amp fuse (when looking at the panel on the driver's side, it's the top right fuse) which isn't getting power to it. I have pulled the fuse and there's no power on either of its connectors. The repair manual shows this being powered off the 80 amp ALT fusible link. I attempted to pull that (right on the battery) but I can't get it out no matter how hard I try. The other two links pulled right out, but this one appears to have either welded or corroded itself in. Probing inside the link (pulling the clear plastic cover off) I do get 12 volts on both sides, but I'm still not convinced. The link itself (between the ceramic supports) is blackened, while the other two are nice and copper-colored. However, the car starts and runs, so I have to think this is not actually keeping the brake lights from getting power, since lots of other things come off this fusible link too.

Anyway, where should I go from here? I guess I could always resort to putting in another 15 amp fuse and a new wire directly up to the brake light switch, but this doesn't seem like the right way to correct it. Does anyone have a fuse directory for an 89 Camry? I can't believe that the owner's manual doesn't list which fuse is which.

Thanks,
Andrew Eldredge
Cape Cod, Mass.

Kep · 09-10-2005, 10:04 AM

I recall a comment that the 80 AMP fuse at the battery is secured with nuts. I believe that you're supposed to pry the plastic box apart to ge access to the ends and then snap it back together. I've never needed to try myself.

I couldn't find the driverside fuse panel on my 90 Camry but maybe someone else with an 89 could upload a close up photo of the panel cover with the diagram?

Kep

caperail · 09-11-2005, 12:19 AM

Kep,

Thanks for your reply. I'll have to give that 80 AMP fuse a closer look.

The driver's side fuse panel (in the '89, anyway) is located under the dash, on the side wall (basically to the left of the brake pedal). If you're able to locate yours, or if another member with an '89 could snap a picture of their fuse diagram and post it somewhere, it might be a big help.

Thanks,
Andrew

88 LE · 09-11-2005, 04:48 PM

This is for a 88 Camry w/3S-FE, 89 should be the same.

Fuse layout:

engine (10A)........ cig (15A)
wiper (20A)......... radio no. 2 (7.5A)....... gauge (7.5A)
ecu-ig (15A)........ turn (7.5A).............. dome (7.5A)
nothing......... mir. htr (10A)............ stop (20A)
ign (7.5A)......... nothing........... tail (15A)

Tailights = 15A fuse
Stop / brake lights = 20A fuse

Matt Y. · 09-24-2005, 04:49 PM

Hey, I have the exact same Problem with my 89 Camry and I was wondering if you had actually found out what the problem was. I have No Brake, Tail or Turn lights on the on the back. Sounds identical to what you are going through. Please let me Know

Thanks.

caperail · 09-25-2005, 08:53 AM

I have found the problem - I was ready to run a new wire right to the brake switch to give it power, but I looked at it a little more and suddenly realized that the 20 Amp brake light fuse was loose in the fuse panel. I can't see any way to get at the fuseholder to try to tighten it up, so my plan now is to get a small size male "quick connect" that's the same size as the fuse, press that into the fuse panel where the fuse goes, and install a new fuse holder outside of the panel. I think this will work, so long as I can get the connection tight enough. The fuse itself was fine, but upon pulling it out one side shows signs of arcing in the fuse holder, so this is definitely the problem.

Matt - It sounds like your problems are more than just the fuse, since the tail and turn lights come off a different fuse (I believe) than the brake lights. One thing that comes to mind is that maybe everything back there shares a common ground, and that ground could be broken or corroded. I know these cars have some sensor/circuit that somehow checks the rear lights and is supposed to alert you to a burned out bulb by illuminating the "Check rear lights" light on the dash. I have no idea how this works, but if everything has to run through that to get to the back, and nothing in the back is working, that might be something to check too.

Good luck, and post back to let everyone know how you're making out.
Andrew

88 LE · 09-25-2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Y.

I have No Brake, Tail or Turn lights on the on the back. Sounds identical to what you are going through.

Have you checked the wiring in the trunk. Theres a bundle of wires that runs along the left trunk hinge.

If you need wiring diagrams / schematics, let me know. I have a Toyota ewd (electrical wiring diagram) manual for a 88 Camry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by caperail

I know these cars have some sensor/circuit that somehow checks the rear lights and is supposed to alert you to a burned out bulb by illuminating the "Check rear lights" light on the dash.

Yes, theres a yellow box in the left side of the trunk by the antenna (if you have a power antenna).

Quote:

I have no idea how this works, but if everything has to run through that to get to the back, and nothing in the back is working, that might be something to check too.

Thats a good question.

I'll have to check my electrial manual and see if all the lights in the rear route through that box (light failure sensor).

caperail · 09-29-2005, 07:44 AM

As a final update to my "no brake lights" problem, I ended up simply taking the original 20 amp fuse and melting a little solder onto one side of it (to increase its thickness). I then simply jamed it into the loose fuseholder, and now it's nice and tight and the lights (and shifter lockout) work.

Thanks for everyone's help.
Andrew

hinrichsscott · 04-03-2008, 03:59 PM

Dear LE 88 - Do you still have the electrical diagram for a 88 Camry? If so, does it show enough detail in order to by-pass the light failure sensor (just wire around it)? Thanks

Kep · 04-04-2008, 11:07 AM

Camrystuff may be of help. Check out his 1990 Electrical Diagram and do a search for "Light Failure Sensor". It will pull up several referances.

Kep

hinrichsscott · 04-07-2008, 07:51 AM

Thanks for everyone's help with my wiring problem. With everyone's help I was able to wire around the problem and now all looks well. I love being able to get help like this - the internet is great.

tlctruckandauto · 12-20-2008, 09:25 AM

[quote=caperail;908940]I have found the problem - I was ready to run a new wire right to the brake switch to give it power, but I looked at it a little more and suddenly realized that the 20 Amp brake light fuse was loose in the fuse panel. I can't see any way to get at the fuseholder to try to tighten it up, so my plan now is to get a small size male "quick connect" that's the same size as the fuse, press that into the fuse panel where the fuse goes, and install a new fuse holder outside of the panel. I think this will work, so long as I can get the connection tight enough. The fuse itself was fine, but upon pulling it out one side shows signs of arcing in the fuse holder, so this is definitely the problem.

I really have to thank you for having that problem. I had the same problem when just one day the brake lights went out. I triple checked all the fuses and replaced the brake light switch to get no results. When I saw your post I checked it out and it was the fuse post. It also was also the problem I was having with the wipers. Thanks again! Tam