my brake lights don't work

[Admiral]

I noticed this morning that none of my 3 brake lights are working. There is no light on the dash telling me so, and besides I find it hard to believe all 3 went out at once. I have checked the fuse in the coin tray and it looks ok to me.
Parking lights and signals are working fine.
Any suggestions? Thanks all.

1995 v6 LE

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by Admiral

I noticed this morning that none of my 3 brake lights are working. There is no light on the dash telling me so, and besides I find it hard to believe all 3 went out at once. I have checked the fuse in the coin tray and it looks ok to me.
Parking lights and signals are working fine.
Any suggestions? Thanks all.

1995 v6 LE

Check your brake light switch for a fault

[Admiral]

do you know where it is on the Camry? and how do I check for a fault?

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by Admiral

do you know where it is on the Camry? and how do I check for a fault?

Should be connected to your brake pedal at the top. Actually if your car is automatic, it will be connected to a shift lock mechanism .. so by pushing the brake pedal down you should be able to hear a clicking noise with the key in the "On" position ; unlocking the shifter. If it works, I would say its working properly.

Crappy Illustration Below


Should be a green/white wire

Check for 12V at the switch. One side should not have 12V+. Depress pedal and check both sides .. while depressed both sides should have 12v+

if good there, move onto LIGHT FAILURE SENSOR.

[JohnGD]

As far as the brake light switch goes, here is a picture of a brake light switch. It's near the pivot of the brake pedal under the driver side dash. About $10+shipping.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=44637

Originally Posted by Admiral

do you know where it is on the Camry? and how do I check for a fault?

[hairball]

I'm not sure if the Gen 3 & 4 are the same as the Gen 1 & 2, but on the Gen 2 this is usually the problem. The Taillight Failure Sensor.


This is what fries inside them. If you get one from a wrecking yard, check it first!!! Just insert a very small flat screwdriver into the seem and pry it open. If you see obvious signs of melted or fried stuff, it's garbage. If it's bad, it will look like this:


I was told about a way to stop them from burning out by simply jumping a fuse holder across the 2 green wires from the yellow box and put in a fuse. Haven't fried one since, yet went through 3 in the few months before I learned this trick! (Still easier to replace, but this works!)

[Admiral]

Here's an update. I checked bulbs and fuses. Replaced the brake light switch just now. Still no brake lights. I am looking in the manual (wire diagram)and see something about a "light failure sensor". Is this related to it? and if so, how/where would I check?

[hairball]

Originally Posted by Admiral

Here's an update. I checked bulbs and fuses. Replaced the brake light switch just now. Still no brake lights. I am looking in the manual (wire diagram)and see something about a "light failure sensor". Is this related to it? and if so, how/where would I check?

See my above posts. I'm betting there is about a 98% chance it's the sensor, which is located inside the trunk on the far left wall on driver's side behind the liner. It's super easy to find if you just pull away the felt covering on the inner left trunk.

[eyeball96]

Hairball is correct! Common problem in our older Gens 3/3.5

Welcome back Admiral long time no see!

[Admiral]

Will give it a check tomorrow morning.

Thanks eyeball96 - I had forgotten how awesome TN is