3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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So it turns out my tail lights don't work. Just the Positioning or parking lights on the outside, the blinkers and the reverse lights are working, everything in the rear is working eccept for the main rear lights.
Checked the bulbs: they're fine. Checked the fuse (the one behind the little fold out tray left of the stearing wheel) it's happy too. Is there another fuse involved somewhere else that I don't know about yet?
If not so, how can I go about finding the break? I see the cable bundle leading forward on the inside of the trunk lining on the drivers side. but then what? If I knew more where the cable is routed I could maybe start tracking it down.
Any tips about how to do this? I need to get this sorted soon so that I can drive in the dark again.
the car is a 94 coupe
Thanks alot in advance if someone can give me some guidance.
Check the taillight relay, junction block #1, under left side of DS under dash. I'd also see if a test light hooked into the light socket with a separate good ground will light.
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1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
theres a taillight integration box underneath the drivers side trunk carpeting. Sometimes theres a little dude that burns out causing your lights to stop working.
One thing to check is the wiring that is physically connected to the hinge of the trunk. After so many times opening and closing the wires tend to break
"I see the cable bundle leading forward on the inside of the trunk lining on the drivers side."
Chances are you have a broken wire right there. That loom of wires is flexed over and over again through the years as the trunk constantly is opened and closed. Eventually wires in there break. Open up the loom there and look for freyed or broken wires. Fix what you find. I would note the wire color leading to the lights that don't work, and pay particular attention to those wires.
One thing to check is the wiring that is physically connected to the hinge of the trunk. After so many times opening and closing the wires tend to break
theres a taillight integration box underneath the drivers side trunk carpeting. Sometimes theres a little dude that burns out causing your lights to stop working.
One thing to check is the wiring that is physically connected to the hinge of the trunk. After so many times opening and closing the wires tend to break
Is that the little yellow box attaced to the cables going on the drivers side wall of the trunk? What do I do there... open it up and look for burnt components?
About the wiring at the hinge (that I also saw mentioned in older threads), it's confusing me. The tail lights are not located at the trunk lid. Why would there be cables going on to the trunk? I guess I'll find out.
Well depending on what style taillights you have there are brake lights on the rear plastic as well. As far as the actual taillight Brake / Running, it should run into that box first then to the taillight. It detects if your taillights go out and the dummy light turns on. If I were you I would get a test light and make sure your getting voltage to the harness connector at the taillights before tearing the whole trunk apart. If your not, then move to the Taillight out Box
I was out looking at the car and now I'm a bit confused.
So there is a total of five rear bulbs per side, two on the trunklid and three on the edges.
there's the positioning light (red) which works. Then the blinker, works. then the big red light. then on the lid first the reverse light (works) and the red one merged into the "light panel".
So having the lights on and not pressing the break, only the outer position lights are on. Hitting the breaks, both of the other two red lighs light up, both the big red one next to the blinker and the red one on the lid.
Which bulb is supposed to be on as a regular tail light. I suppose it is the big red, not the lid one. But why is that working as a break light, but not as a regular tail?
I looked at the mentiond wireing at the hinge, and yes it looks pretty beat and some previous owner has been repairing there allready, but I don't see any obvious break.
Plus, since everything seems to work... just not "at the right time". Is it some kind of relay then rather?
The bigger Square brake / running is supposed to be running lights / brake lights
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Get a test light and have a helper hold the brake pedal. (Or jam a piece of wood or something to hold it down). Go to the trunk and remove the connector where the brake / running light is. Check for voltage running to the brake light.
Visually inspect the bulb. These cars use 1157 bulbs for the running / brake lights so they have two filaments inside of it.. One for running the other for brake. If the brake filament goes bad, the running could still work.
Thats what the Light is for on the dash though. If your brake lights go bad, the first second you push the brake pedal and it detects its not turning on, the box throws voltage to a light
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