1996 Camry - Lights and Power Steering

[rockytopjag]

I've got a 1996 Camry with 222,000 miles on it. I know you can't ride it forever but it's been a good car and I've got a baby boy due in May so we can't afford another car payment right now.

I've got 2 problems. #1 is with the rear brake light. When I turn the lights on one of my brake lights stays lit up. I thought it might just be a bad bulb so I replaced the bulb. The warning light on the dash turned off but when I hit my brakes to test it the brake light still stayed lit up and the warning light on the dash came back on.

#2 is that I've got a power steering leak. I suspect that it's in the hose that runs to the steering column because most of the fluid is leaking on the driver's side. Any suggestions as to the best way to check it myself?

[dc_98_cam]

There have been several posts about a problem with the wire loom in the vicinity of the trunk hinge. You might take a close look .... open up ... the loom wrapping and see if you can trace the green wires with red stripe ... which go to the individual brake lights. Look for broken wires ... insulation gaps or anything unusual.
Possibility that one of the brake light wires is shorting out with a tail light wire ... solid green ... which would have voltage present whenever the lights are on.

What you're saying is that only one of the brake lights stays on ... not all of them?

[rockytopjag]

Yes, the only driver side brake light stays on. The passenger side operates as normal.

[dc_98_cam]

The frequent activity of the trunk hinge might be causing a problem within the wire loom, bending or breaking the wires ...
Maybe take a look and see if there is anything obviously wrong.