96 XLS Dash/tail light problem

[maxatx]

Ok gurus I need your help.

My fiance just bought a 1996 Avalon after her previous car was totaled. Really clean, runs great, and has fewer miles on it than my 2003 camry. Anyhow, recently, within the last week or so her tail lights and gauge lights have stopped working. Her dad is a mechanic, so we took it home and he has been working on it for the better part of a week.

When the car is running, and the headlight switch is in the "on" position her headlights come on. But the tail lights, and the dash lights do not work. They do not come on at all. Her dad thought it might be a short in the headlight switch so he replaced it. Didn't change a thing. He also hooked it up to the computer and its not throwing any codes. Two weeks ago her dad installed a keyless entry on the Avalon, but he completly disconnected that and we are still having the same problem. On a side note it has been really cold here in Oklahoma for the past few weeks, but I can't figure out how that would affect the car.

Anybody have this problem before? Any tips? Suggestions? A magic solution maybe?

[toyomoho]

Do you front running lights work? Are all your gauge lights out or just those on any center console? Have you checked the Tail and Gauge fuses? Check the post below, the Camry and Avalon are almost the same car.

Guage light, tail light problem? Help?

[maxatx]

Here's the only problem with the frayed wires bit. My fiance has an aftermarket keyless entry on the car, which her dad reinstalled last night after he tore the car apart looking for this bug. When you lock or unlock the car with the keyless entry the tail lights and the dash lights both come on and stay on for about 30 seconds. Her brake lights still work, but those gauge lights and tail lights won't come on with the light switch. Hmm....

[steve326a]

Originally Posted by maxatx

Here's the only problem with the frayed wires bit. My fiance has an aftermarket keyless entry on the car, which her dad reinstalled last night after he tore the car apart looking for this bug. When you lock or unlock the car with the keyless entry the tail lights and the dash lights both come on and stay on for about 30 seconds. Her brake lights still work, but those gauge lights and tail lights won't come on with the light switch. Hmm....

It sounds like the previous owner miswired the keyless entry installation, realized it, tried to fix it but failed then sold the car to you. You may want to use a wiring diagram and trace out the associated wires. I will look to see if I have it for you to use.