Still no reverse lights :(

[Novice_cardude]

Well, today I got a chance to take my trunk apart and have a look at the situation in there.
I first checked out the right taillight. The brake filament was loose, and only occasionally making contact. There's the intermittent "brake light out" light coming on. I fixed it with a $0.18 replacement.

I then concentrated on the wiring harness running down from the trunk lid. It curves normal until it joins the thicker harness that goes through into the passenger compartment. At that point it makes almost a 90 degree bend. However the insulation is in good shape and no matter how much I jiggled it I couldn't get the reverse lights to work. Should I bother cutting and splicing that little bit to see what happens? I mean the wires don't even look damaged.

My only other option is to dig out the reverse light switch from the tranny and test it with a multimeter.

I just want them to work!

[dc_98_cam]

Wiring diagram for Gen 4 reverse light is on p. 136 of online wiring diagram in repair manual.

Possibilities .... 10 amp gauge fuse, park /neutral/back up light switch, two or three connectors to look at.

Disconnect the J27 ....connector... under passenger dash, first and see if you are getting voltage at that point.

... Could even be ground connection after back up lights.

Which vehicle do you have?

[Silver Streak]

Splice open that insulation and look for a snapped wire. I guarantee there's one, I think it's green with a white strip. This happens so often to Gen 3/4's....

Cover it up with electrical tape after....and it's all good.

[Mike Gerber]

I have to agree with Silver Streak. The most common problem with Camrys when one of the rear lights aren't working, is broken or frayed wires inside that loom by the driver's side trunk hinge. The wires inside there eventually fray and break from all the flexing they are exposed to as the trunk is constantly opened and closed. My 07 Camry has the same setup, so it's not something Toyota has considered necessary to change. I guess I can look forward to problems back there for many more years.

Mike