Anyone has this problem? Missing fuse

[grandpapa]

The other day my wife told me her 3rd break light was out so I took a lot and 1st thing I did is to check the fuse box. I notice some empty space and not sure if her car has all the fuse. Can anyone take the time to verify their car has the same setup?

Above VSC No.1, there is one BRK box but there is nothing there. (could that be the reason no 3rd break light?) If not, which one is for 3rd break?

thanks
(tried to post attach image but not allowed)

[boosted-fc3s]

Here's his pics:





I have a relay in the spot he's referring to on my 07 limited.

[boosted-fc3s]

On your top most right circle, that center fuse should be empty unless you have laser cruise.

On the middle right circle, mine is identical.

On your left circle I have a brown relay in the "BRK" spot.

Do the rest of your brake lights work? ABS Working?

Here is my fuse panel:

[boosted-fc3s]

According to the factory service manual, the BRK is the brake lamp relay. I have no idea why that would be missing on your car. From looking at the wiring diagram, if that relay is out, none of your brake lights should work.

[pmesfun]

My father's 07 avalon has the same problem, the third break light is out. I also noticed the it is missing the BRK relay, but the are no wires running to the slot. Here are some pics:

[toyotatech671]

if im not mistaken the 07 avalon uses led's, have someone hold the brake pedal and give the 3rd brake light a little smack, should come on. they are expensive and the whole rear package tray has to come out. gl

[pmesfun]

I was also thinking something was loose, bc it only happens occasionally. Will try this.

[boosted-fc3s]

The 3rd brake light is LED. Very unlikely its out. The tails are regular bulbs.

[boosted-fc3s]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

My father's 07 avalon has the same problem, the third break light is out. I also noticed the it is missing the BRK relay, but the are no wires running to the slot. Here are some pics:

I'm wondering if they changed the wiring or do something different on some models, it cant be coincidence that two cars don't have the relay. Especially with yours not even having wires there.

[grandpapa]

interesting.
my wife's avalon is 06 limited

boosted-fc3s showed 07 limited (with relay)
pmesfun showed 07 (without relay) and have 3rd break light problem as well.

I am not sure there is wiring under, I will double check again on the weekend.

[inov8]

The BRK relay is only required for models with Laser Cruise Control.

Laser Cruise can operate the brakes without the brake pedal being depressed. The purpose of the relay is to bypass the pedal-mounted brake light switch, to warn those behind you the vehicle is decelerating.

LEDs are the light source of the future and will eventually replace conventional filament bulbs in most applications, but today's high-output LEDs are not yet particularly reliable and are prone to early failure due to excess heat dissipation.

[Tom in Tacoma]

inov8 is "The Man"!

[pmesfun]

Does this mean that they leds need to be replaced?

[boosted-fc3s]

Guess that explains why I have the relay and others dont. Laser cruise complicates things I'm sure. Sounds like its just a bad 3rd brake light. Its a real b*tch to replace. Dealer probably would need to do. Since panels, backseats, etc have to come out.

[pmesfun]

Yup, just realized the rear deck has to come out. Why can't it be as simple as my 99 Avalon, just pull out the sub/brake light cover and it's right there.