2004 Camry Tail / Break Light problem need help!

[gottabekin]

Hi all,

I have a 2004 Camry XLE 4 cyl. Here's my problem. The red part of the tail light does not turn on when I step on the break (all four light bulb), only the break light in the middle of the glass is turned on. They do come on when I have my low beam turned on, but again, when I step on the break with the low beam on, they are suppose to shine brighter but they don't. I checked the fuse for the "STOP" light and the "TAIL" light, they are both fine. Does anyone know what the problem is? Where should I check next? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Kin

[toyomoho]

The brake and tail lights are separate circuits. The brake light circuit does not run through the light switch and should come on regardless of light switch on/off, etc.

The brake lights are turned on/off by a switch connected to the brake pedal. If you look up under the dash you should see this switch. If the center light comes on when you press the brake pedal the switch is OK.

The same wiring that powers the center light, powers the other brake lights. As such if they do not light up there could be an issue with the bulbs or wiring. Remove the trunk panel to access the wiring, check the bulbs and wiring.

Keep in mind the brake lights (other the center one) share a common bulb having two filaments.

[littlebookworm]

You don't say if it's only on one side or on both. I'd suggest you check the brake light bulb first. As was just said, the brake and tail light are on different electrical circuits with different filaments in the same bulb. It's not unusual for the brake light filament to burn out while the tail light filament is fine. The brake light filament burns much hotter and brighter so it tends to burn out first. My 05 Solara burned out one brake light filament within the first year. Changing the bulb is relatively easy. Check your owners manual for instructions and bulb number. Good luck. Hy

[gottabekin]

Hi toyomoho,

I just checked the bulbs. The two filaments are all intact (upon visual inspection), so I dont' think it's the bulbs. So I should trace the wiring for them? Its just weird that the center light is on but not the rest, because you said they are on the same wiring. Any other suggestions?

By the way littlebookworm, both side is out.

Kin

[gottabekin]

I am such an idiot. I figure I will put on one of the old spare bulb and try it, viola, it works. So my visual inspection on the filament was totally wrong. They looked intact but somehow does not work. Thank you toyomoho and littlebookworm for the information provided. I definitely learned something new about the break lighting system. Thanks again.

[SMR]

I got a problem with my 2003 Camry brake light as well. Only the right brake light will not come on when applying the brakes. When I turn on the headlights then all the brake lights go on. I checked the brake light by taking it out and hooked it up to a 9 volt battery and it lights up...so it is not the light bulb.

Coincidentally, this happened after I replaced my front brake pads. Any ideas ?

[njerald]

Just Amazing..............

[pepperdanky]

First of all, why did you use a 9V battery? Second of all, the bulb has a dual filament so the one used for the brakes may be burnt out even though the other lights up.

[TRD VVTi]

:gig gle::kookoo ::ro lleyes:

This thread is stupid and funny...

[TRD_EarBanger]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggg ! Redundancy is redundant!

[SMR]

No reason...I used the 9 volt battery for convenience since I didn't need a wire to touch the positive terminal of a car battery to the bulb.

Interesting...two filament bulb. My 88 Toyota Tercel used to have separate bulbs.

I will try a new bulb...Thanks