"Light out" idiot light is goofy

[Kenny_McCormic]

92 camry, has intermittent "light out" idiot light with no particular pattern, sometimes it only comes on when I brake, sometimes its always on but goes out when I brake. Headlights/running lights seem to have no effect. I have had multiple people, myself included check the lights with and without the idiot light on, they always all work. Have checked all bulbs, greased the sockets with dielectric grease, didn't change jack shit. Thoughts?

[Mike Gerber]

Check the loom of wires inside the trunk, by the driver's side trunk hinge. The wires in there have a tendency to frey and break over a period of time, due to all the flexing that loom experiences as the trunk is opened and closed many times. Open that loom and looked for freyed wires that are exposed to each other. Pay close attention to the wires that go to the brake lights, since you said it sometimes comes on when you brake. Electrical tape can fix this simple problem.

Mike

[Kenny_McCormic]

Found a broken wire, repaired it(solder), still getting idiot light, greased connection on lighting computer in trunk(considered simply unplugging the box, unfortunately that kills the brake lights). Definite pattern now

HEADLIGHTS OFF=Light only comes on when braking.
HEADLIGHTS ON=Light on full time, goes out when braking.

[Kenny_McCormic]

Problem solved, cut the wire that lights the idiot light.

For future reference:

TO DISABLE THE LAMP FAILURE IDIOT LIGHT, SIMPLY CUT THE SMALL YELLOW WIRE W/ GREEN TRACER FROM THE LAMP FAILURE BOX.

[the_professional]

if thats what you call problem solving.

Im sure it was a frayed wire in the wire harness or an old bulb.
But what ever floats your boat.

[Kenny_McCormic]

Originally Posted by the_professional

if thats what you call problem solving.

Im sure it was a frayed wire in the wire harness or an old bulb.
But what ever floats your boat.

Checked all wiring, all was good, bulbs are clear, box however lived in the side of the trunk exposed to the elements for a long time due to body rot. It was either old bulbs or a goofy box, cutting the wire was the cheapest, simplest, fastest option.

[the_professional]

oh, that must of been severe body rot.
Make sure your drain tubes are sitting right.
But, like I said, as long as your happy with it.
& I know, the tail light modulator box cost a bit of money from the dealer, if your bored, try a junk yard.

[Kenny_McCormic]

It didn't look too bad from the outside, but the drivers side of the trunk was full of dirt and I picked the mud/rust out one day to find a 1/2" gap. Car is all sealed up now, filled the gap with great stuff and painted over it, its not the prettiest but it works and it was cheap.

[the_professional]

sounds good.

[Kenny_McCormic]

Speaking of electrical problems, I noticed my high tone horn was out and replaced it with a Ford one I had sitting around. Will I go to Hell for this?

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by Kenny_McCormic

Speaking of electrical problems, I noticed my high tone horn was out and replaced it with a Ford one I had sitting around. Will I go to Hell for this?

probably. then again, I have a saturn spoiler on my camry and bunches of people have ford taurus lips on their camrys..... soooo....

/off topic

[deezeejoey]

sounds like i should just cut the wire to my airbag light then.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by deezeejoey

sounds like i should just cut the wire to my airbag light then.

Many airbag systems have a backup buzzer built in to the system so if the light goes out, the buzzer comes on and stays on steady. It can be real annoying. Not sure if the Camrys have this backup system, but just in case it does I would rather live witht he light than a real annoying buzzer.

Mike

[Kenny_McCormic]

Originally Posted by deezeejoey

sounds like i should just cut the wire to my airbag light then.

No, the airbag is a necessary safety feature, the light failure box is stupid feature for idiots who don't give their car a quick inspection now and then.