3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Bad light indicator lit on dashboard for rear bulbs but bulbs fine????????
I have a 99 camry. I got a bad lamp indicator for the rear lamps. I could see it was the rear because when I started my car and let it run and then hit my brakes the bad lamp indicator comes on. I tried hitting my headlights first but no bad indicator until I hit my brakes. I pulled out the lights from the trunk and they are FINE!!!!! I looked closer and both bulbs are in good condition????
I understand that the light sensor unit works by checking the resistance of a circuit. If the sensor is good (95 is in the trunk behind the carpet on the driverside) then something is causing increased resistance. Coroded wire, broken wire, rusty socket, bad ground, bad bulb. A bulb might still light up in a bad circuit. I wouldn't focus on just the tail lights go ahead and check the rest. Check the base of the bulb and the socket for corosion. I have found a battery terminal wire brush works very well to clean the larger bulb bases and sockets.
Kep
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Often, it's the loose screw between the steering wheel and the driver's seat that needs to be fixed first!
Commonly over-looked problem is the 3rd brake light. Even if it works follow Kep's advice and pull the cover.
YOUR THE MAN
I didn't think of that. Went out to my car after work. Put a board of wood to prop the brake pedal closed. And yes, the 3rd (high top) brake light was out. I can't believe I missed that.
i have this problem on my gen 3. my 3rd brake light is not out. all my brake lights work. i even clean the bulb sockets and i still have the light indicator lit. any other advice?
If you've cleaned up all the sockets (including the 3rd brake light) then like Kep said, there's a sensor which is probably located behind the carpet in the trunk near the driver's side hinge. Mine's a yellow box. Had an intermittent problem which was a slightly burnt socket on that 3rd brake light. Really had to polish it up and install a new bulb to finally solve it.
P.S. Thanx steppinthrax- glad our advice sometimes helps people.
If you've cleaned up all the sockets (including the 3rd brake light) then like Kep said, there's a sensor which is probably located behind the carpet in the trunk near the driver's side hinge. Mine's a yellow box. Had an intermittent problem which was a slightly burnt socket on that 3rd brake light. Really had to polish it up and install a new bulb to finally solve it.
P.S. Thanx steppinthrax- glad our advice sometimes helps people.
I know a lot of the brake light bulbs have double filaments so the bulb can still work but one of the filaments burnt out. That can trip that sensor as well i imagine.
i have the same issue with my grandpas car. the failure warning sensor in the trunk cost $300. i didnt get it. i bought a bulb for the 3rd window brake light. his sensor went on when the bulb went out but i replaced it with a auto parts store bulb. it worked but the resistance in the bulb is probably wrong causing the light on the dash to go on. i havent put the bulb in yet cause of the bad weather here. im gonna do it tomorrow and hopefully his amber light goes out. i have a question. if this dummy light stays on will he pass his emissions state inspection test new york area. or if this lite stays on can he fail.
i went to the dealer friday. i bought the $3 bulb. i installed it today and the warning failure light is off. THank god its fixed. I cant believe how bulbs can be different from place to place. You can actually see a resister inside these bulbs to send a signal back to the cars computer to turn the damn failure warning light on. so if anyone is having issues with this amber light on the dash replace the bulbs that are out and get new bulbs from dealer. DOnt go to auto store. lights from the parts store might work but they arent the correct resistance for these cars.
I know a lot of the brake light bulbs have double filaments so the bulb can still work but one of the filaments burnt out. That can trip that sensor as well i imagine.
+1 My Camry always burns one of the filaments and drives me nuts
If you go in to an auto parts store and look at all of the bulbs they have you will notice several different styles and each of those often have different resistances and colors so you need to go in knowing just which one you want. Just because a bulb fits into a socket doesn't mean it's the correct bulb. If you don't know the clerks can usually help. If you're lucky you can still read the info on the old bulb.
Kep
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Often, it's the loose screw between the steering wheel and the driver's seat that needs to be fixed first!
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