1996 Avalon Backlight indicator staying on

[rashidzaidi]

Hi,
Car:Toyota Avalon 1996 XL
When I press the brake pedal, back light indicator turn on in dashboard.
I changed all back brake bulbs including the one in rear window.
It happens only when I starts car and press brake pedal.

All bulbs looks ok...... but sensor says something is wrong.

Can I go for inspection with this indicator.


Any Idea....

Thanks,
RZ

[robcam13]

do u have any parking lights out.but yeah i dont see why you wouldent pass an inspection. i have a pa inspection license and i would pass it.

[rashidzaidi]

Thanks for ur reply.......my question was.....even all lights are OK, but indicator in dash board says.someone is off....will it be ok to inspection guy???

[robcam13]

yeah u will be ok for an inspection. but are you sure you dont have a license plate lite reverse ligt out maybe a parking light. but yeah it will pass inspection no problem

[05DCLB]

Check the wiring at the left trunk hinge area, will break after years of flexing.

[Skully4]

I think you should check your brake fluid level.
A few years ago mine came on. after I touched the brakes.
I checked the fluid first and it needed fluid. After that
no more light being on.

[HATEnFATE]

Sometimes you'll get a bulb that has something wrong with the filament. It doesn't seem to allow the right amount of wattage to pass through or something stupid like that. you could check the bulbs or like stated before, make sure you don't have any running lights burnt out like L/P or side markers..

[Jigg007]

If you replaced all the brake light bulbs, then maybe its the reverse light bulbs. Otherwise, perhaps the connections to the sensor module are dirty. The sensor module is located in the trunk, behind the carpeting on the driver side wall. Unplugging it, and plugging it back in might do the trick, even spray some WD-40 in the connections and let dry if you're feeling particularly bored.

Otherwise the sensor will only trigger the light when the culprit lamp is given power.

If it happens when you press the brake pedal, then it is one of the brake lights, which the 1996 has four 1157 bulbs, which means there are two in each housing giving the effect that a lamp works, when it really has a failed bulb.

Also, the CHMSL uses the same base as an 194 bulb, but is a much larger bulb, 921 perhaps if a 194 was installed this will cause the sensor to turn on the bulb failure light.

If it happens when you shift into reverse, then the obvious culprit is a reverse bulb, an 1156


4 x 1156
4 x 1157
2 x 168
1 x 921

[truthnexile]

As the others said, 1 bad filament in a dual-fil. bulb is sometimes hard to spot. Also the bulb sockets oxidize over time- use a little bulb grease on them before installing bulbs. The bulb sockets and wiring harnesses at the rear may wear or short over time, especially if you're talking 10-15-20 years. I wondered the same thing when I got mine, but 3 changed bulbs later, I'm good to go.