96 Previa Brake Light Problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dreamakr20 · 08-01-2003, 07:53 PM

On my 96 previa I just put in new third brake light bulbs. A little while later (within a half an hour) the brake lights only work if the headlights are on and the brake lights are always on when the headlights are on. Meaning even without touching the brake pedal the bright brake lights are on constantly with the headlights. when I turn off the headlights they go off, but then they don't light at all even when you press the pedal. Not sure what could be causing this. I tried removing all the related relays,and that made no difference, after I put them back. also checked wiring under driver side dash, couldn't find a problem.
I was hoping someone would know if this could be caused by the relays(they were very hot when I removed them). Any suggestions would be great.

thanks

1GR-FE · 08-02-2003, 04:56 PM

check all of your brake/taillight bulbs sounds like one of the filaments in the bulb is touching the other filament causing both lights to come on, its a common thing to happen

dreamakr20 · 08-03-2003, 01:54 AM

So as it turns out "the woman" put an 1156 in instead of an 1157 in the outer brake lights. however after I put the correct bulb in, the tail lights work but I have No brake lights. with the headlights on everything looks normal, but when you hit the brakes the bright filiment doesn't light in any of the bulbs.
Now I really have No idea what the f to do.

Any I deas would be great.

a friend thinks it could be the brake switch, wich I think is the thing mounted under the dash that the brake pedal hits when not depressed

Please help if any ideas.
thanks

1GR-FE · 08-04-2003, 10:10 AM

ya it sounds like it could be the brake light switch pull the connector off and jump the 2 wires see if it lights up

dreamakr20 · 08-04-2003, 07:28 PM

But really where is it? i think its probably the switch mounted above the brake pedal that has a plunger that comes out when the pedal is pressed. however when i fell it there seems to be many wires going to it. I will investigate tomorrow 8/5. does anyone know if this is a dealer part or can I get it most places?

well thanks again.

1GR-FE · 08-05-2003, 12:00 PM

yes thats it, as far as the book will tell u, u need to test with a multimeter continuity across pins 1 and 2 with the brake pedal depressed for continuity and then check 3 and 4 with the brake pedal released for continuity, i know this isnt much help to u probably, but i dont have a wiring diagram that i can access, if u can get a wiring diagram u just need to follow where u are getting power from and then jump across the switch to where the brake light wiring goes

dreamakr20 · 08-05-2003, 08:04 PM

Thanks for your help, i don't get to look at it today as I thought. will have to look at it 8-6 hopefully. I can definately do that just have to figure out which pin is which. I hope this can be done with it completely removed from the car. also there feels like there are two hood release style cables that go to that switch. any idea what the f they are?

thanks again.

bizzy928 · 08-09-2003, 01:17 AM

How many bulbs are in the rear mounted brake light? (The top mounted third brake light)

Just one?

dreamakr20 · 08-09-2003, 02:29 AM

so the van just happens to be the womans van..... she went ahead and took it too the dealer... $245.00 later everthing works. I don't know what the hell happened but it all works now.
thanks for your help though...
good times...