tail light not on

[steve.toyota]

Hi,

I have ~97 Avalon. when I turned on head light. the rear tail lights are not on for both sides. head lights are ok.
license plate light is also on. when I step on brake, both the brake light at center of rear window and tail light are on (red color). this likes like the tail lamps are ok.

What's the problem? please help if you know.

thanks!

-Steven

[CupCate18]

I'd still replace the tail lights. All the top bulbs in each light assembly if I'm remembering correctly.

[toyomoho]

The rear tail lights and license plate bulbs are on the same wiring. If one works the other should be getting power as far as the trunk.

The brake lights share a common bulb with their tail light. The bulb has two filaments one for the tail light, one for the brake light.

The tail lights may also share a common bulb with the side marker lights.

Check the bulbs for burnt out filaments, their end terminals for corrosion. Do the same for the sockets.

Check the wiring to the bulbs.

The wiring to the tail lights might be Green/Orange or Light Green.

Stop light Green/Red.

The ground wire is White/Black.

If the failed tail lights are on the trunk lid, check the wiring where it jumps from the lid to the chassis for breakage.

There also may be a light on the dash that comes on in case of tail or stop light failure. Is the light on?

On occasion the sensor tied to this light may fail and cause issues with the tail or stop lights. The sensor is located in the trunk, drivers side.

Might visit the AutoZone website, vehicle repair guide section for this car and find the wiring diagram. If Avalon is not listed use Camry (same chassis).


.

[TurboMike83]

I had similar problems with my lamp failure module. I fixed it here....

http://www.edaboard.com/thread196580.html