1997 4Runner Tail Lights and dash light won't come on

[rbellrbell]

When turning on the had lights in evening, neither the tail lights (brake/turn lights work fine) nor the instrument dash lights come on. Is this a simple fuse problem?

[HATEnFATE]

There should be an underhood fuse that would control those. I blew mine a few weeks ago.

[Greasygreg]

this might not be a simple problem.if turning on your lights blows fuses,leave them off and wear night vision goggles.-

[rbellrbell]

4Runner had an old trailer harness that was frayed and hanging below the rear bumper. The frayed wires had shorted to ground and blew fuse under the hood. Simple repair. By sheer coincidence, both brake lights were also burnt out which resulted in my son being pulled over by the campus police (Ole Miss) - which lead to discovery of tail lighs being out. So, my son was driving around at night without neither brake OR tail lights. How is that for a responsible father?

[jetwhine]

rbellrbell,

I have learned that once in awhile you need to do a walk around on your childrens vehicles to make sure that everything is working correctly. Or get Him/Her to do the same. Its like doing a preflight on an airplane. Glad to hear that you found a fix for the lights.