Warning light to replace rear tail bulb

[djricter]

On our 1999 Avalon the warning light to replace rear tail bulb is on but when checking the bulbs - rear tail, brake,and back up they all seem to working fine. I would appreciate help on this or can I just reset it, and how. Thanks

[toyomoho]

The unit typically has no reset, the problem needs to be corrected (or the sensor unit could be bad).

The backup lights and upper center brake light are not on the sensor circuit.

Remove each bulb, check the electrical connections for corrosion, check the combination (brake/tail) bulbs for a broken filiment that may be shorting to the other circuit.

Some owners replace all the bulbs, as they age the resistance change can cause the sensor to come on.

[djricter]

thank you very much, I will do the things you advised.

[Jigg007]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

..
The backup lights and upper center brake light are not on the sensor circuit.
...

Do you have a wiring diagram for that?
I don't know on the third brakelight part, I recall my failure lamp displaying when my highmount lamp was in the process of dying, but I also recall replacing a rear tail lamp sometime in my life so maybe my mind is playing tricks on me!

For me, the "reset/clear" is when the car is turned on, As my lamp would only go on when I steped on the brake pedal.
When all bulbs seem to work and the failure lamp is still on, chances are the fillament of the bulb is detached enough to activate the module at one point in time, but can always reposition itself to where it has the ability to temporaly light.

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

The unit typically has no reset, the problem needs to be corrected (or the sensor unit could be bad).

The backup lights and upper center brake light are not on the sensor circuit.

Remove each bulb, check the electrical connections for corrosion, check the combination (brake/tail) bulbs for a broken filiment that may be shorting to the other circuit.

Some owners replace all the bulbs, as they age the resistance change can cause the sensor to come on.

On my 1996, I've replaced all the lower brake light bulbs, only to find that the cyclops (highmount brake light) was the one that was burnt out.

[KeepItSimple]

I get the replace light warning intermittently at night when I have the lights on and I step on the brake.
The only lights that are out are the license plate lights but still has the problem after replacing the bulbs (still no license plate lights).
I'm not sure what the problem is.

[Jigg007]

It could be a funky grounding connection. And reseating the plugs sounds like a good idea, maybe some contact cleaner if they're questionable.

[Gruntling]

Be sure to check that it isn't the brake light in the rear window that's setting off your sensor. It's often overlooked.

[gscody]

Also check that your overhead interior light is working. I have intermittent issues with the overhead light not working and this causes the brakelight warning light to come on.

[YarFrankl]

Just resolved a similiar problem of the bulb indicator being on showing bad bulbs. The license plate lights would not burn or be very dim. Dealer worked the problem to get it through safety inspection only to have it return immediately. I let too much time go by before working on it so couldn't really blame the dealer. Turns out the wiring harness at the trunk lid hinge arm had frayed wiring from constant use. The mechanical tie holding the harness to the arm evidentally frayed a wire which became intermittent. A little solder and new covering solved the issue.

[Heavy_D]

my thrid brake light is out, and this happend couple days later after i put my system in, and i also notice that the fuse kept popping, this was last year, and the light has been on ever since, do you guys think the wire is burnt out? i think i might have put a strong fuse then what it needs so maby it did burn out, i would like to fix this