What is wrong with my Avalon?

[ShiningArcanine]

I have a 1995 Toyota Avalon XLS. One of the lights on the dashboard lit this morning, depicting a car with some lines behind it. The manual said that it was a problem with the lights but the brake lights and signal lights on the front and back are both working. What is wrong?

[avalontom]

Shining,

I have a '95 also. It may be a license plate light.

My suggestion - get the owner's manual out, identify all the lights at the back of the car, purchase them, & change them.

Overkill? Maybe. But you will be probably good for another 4-6 years.

Good luck.

Tom

[ShiningArcanine]

I did not think of checking the license plate lights; I will check them tomorrow. Thankyou very much.

[KeepItSimple]

I'm having a similar problem with my '95 XL.
When I have the lights on and step on the brakes the dash "replace taillight" icon flickers on and off sometimes. It's very intermittent.
I thought I checked all the rear lights but no, I didn't check the license plate light either. I will 1st thing in the morning!

[toyomoho]

On cars with an intermediate brake light warning, the monitoring system thinks a bulb is burned out. Best to replace all the bulbs (check center brake light also). When replacing the bulbs, push out the bulb socket end terminals and clean them. Clean the bulb end terminals also. On the center bulb, cleaning the socket terminals is not practical. Make sure the bulb wires are pulled out to allow contact with the socket terminals.

[parimento1]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

On cars with an intermediate brake light warning, the monitoring system thinks a bulb is burned out. Best to replace all the bulbs (check center brake light also). When replacing the bulbs, push out the bulb socket end terminals and clean them. Clean the bulb end terminals also. On the center bulb, cleaning the socket terminals is not practical. Make sure the bulb wires are pulled out to allow contact with the socket terminals.

It's one of your brake lights, replace the bulbs...had this problem twice before

[sickwilly]

I have piecemeal replaced lights and have the light on intermittently, off some times, on others. I have it on my ever longer to do list to go ahead and replace ever single light back there, versus keeping trying to find the one light setting this off. Good luck!

[ShiningArcanine]

I have been very busy commuting back and forth to the university, but my mother checked the license plate lights yesterday and said that they were both working. Are there any other lights that could be blown?

[sickwilly]

there are two bulbs for each side for you brake lights (4 total). Just because the side lights up does not mean both are working.

However, even if you do find one bulb burnt out, you will probably get the same intermittent warning light like I do.

That is why, as soon as time permits, I am going to go ahead and buy four brake light bulbs and four turn signal/reverse bulbs, and the rear brake light bulb and replace them all.
I would rather spend a little more and have 4 years without that intermitted light, versus keeping trying to track down why its coming on.

[BlackCamSe]

reverse light?