98 camry le v6: Trunk Lid light/ Back up lights not working, Problem and solution

[ihqazi]

I recently had this problem with my camry and found a few posts out there that indicate it is quite common. Actually, several of the posts helped me figure it out so I thought I would put the problem I had and the fix out with it so hopefully others would be able to find it and fix it as well.

A couple of months ago the rear light failure warning light on the dash started coming on and sure enought the backup lights were not working. They "R" on the dashboard lights also lighted up. At first this problem was occasional and stopping after a while. Then it became permanent. Also, one back up light stopped first and then the other.

One of the bulbs seemed to be blown out because water was leaking into the housing so I dried it, sealed it and replaced the bulb but to no avail. Then my check engine came on and the used car dealer that I bought it from said the diagnostics said the Park Neutral Switch was bad. Advance AutoParts free dianostic tester said the same. Checked all fuses but they were all good.

A couple of weeks later with the check engine light coming off an on by itself, the Trac Off warning light also started coming on. These also came on and off at random times. (Yes I know about the button that keeps the Trac Off, I am not a complete idiot)

I changed the whole lamp assemblies housing on both sides from parts bought from ebay but still not working. I looked it up here on some forums and thought to take a look at the wiring harness that goes down on the driver's side hinge in the trunk. Sure enough followed the wires up the harness and a white and black wire was strechted and cut. Take some power cord wire and reconnecting the two fixed the problem and the check engine and Trac Off light also turned off and have stayed that way for several weeks. problem solved!

Really strange the check engine and Trac Off should also go on just because of a wiring problem but appears so. This also seems to be a common problem with the camry's as I found at least 4 other posts about it. Hope this helps someone searching for a quick fix. Will save you a couple hundred for the dealer to fix the problem.

Sincerely,
Ihtishaam Qazi

[spridel]

I fixed my neighbor's car last night with your instructions.

It was just as you described it - took about an hour from the time he pulled in, to the time he pulled out of my garage.

Thanks!

[uconnkoala]

Brilliant !

My back-up lights weren't working either, so I climbed inside the trunk and checked out the wire bundle by the hinge. Sure enough, the Red/Black wire was split apart.

Tomorrow I have the fun task of reconnecting the wires in a meaningful way.

Thanks for the help

[Pama gangatirkar]

Thank you so much for the solution to my problem! After replacing all the bulbs, the lights were still not working. I checked the wiring under the trunk lid and sure enough, two wires were broken ! I reconnected and every thing is just fine!

Pama

[mp455]

thank you SO much for ur help! my 97 camry le has been having the same problems with the "r" light on the dash, backup lights not working, check engine, etc. the only problem is that im not much of an EE and don't really know how to go about fixing that wiring in the trunk. i'd rather not take it in if it's something i can just do myself, so if you could just give me a step by step run-through of the re-wiring process, i'd really appreciate it! thanks again!
-mp455

[coltcraft]

Great advice. I looked at that harness because I was having the same multiple light problems. Stripped the harness down and found three, count 'em, three wires broken and disconnected. Got the soldering iron out and voila!! Thank God the wires are accessible !!!!

[yotarider]

I have 2001 Camry.
Found 4 broken wires in the harness following up the trunk lid.
Symptoms were:
"Light Failure" warning lamp on instrument panel
"R" shift indicator being on always, in addition to "D", "N", etc
Check Engine warning lamp - OBD code P1780
All trunk mounted lamps not working - Stop, Tail, Back-up, License plate

All better after splicing them back together.
Thanks for the clues!