Try changing the bulb. Sometimes one of the filaments inside the bulb can blow and cause contact with the metal base, causing the fuse to blow. Another reason could be that the actual metal contacts on the bottom of the bulb have become too hot and melted themselves together.

Changing the bulb would be your cheapest option at first. If that doesn't fix it, then it could be either a fault with the taillight's socket, or there's a problem with the wiring somewhere along the circuit. Good luck!

 

I just tried changing the bulbs. It blew a 20 amp fuse. It was all I had left. I already blew out all my 10 amp fuses.

 

I've also noticed that my headunit dims when the car is in drive, but not when the car is in neutral, if that provides any more clues.

 

I can't find this short anywhere. It's driving me insane. Any suggestions?

 

I'm having the same problem on my 97 rav4, anyone figure it out yet? thanks!

 

Folks adding trailer wire harnesses can cause a bunch of problems, those add-on converboxs used for lighting don't last very long, I went thru three of them. when they go out they cause goofy back feeds & shorts Darrin

 

First, pick up a supply of 10A fuses. Then pull both tailight bulbs and the license plate buls. They're all on the same fuse. See if the fuse blows. If so, the problem is further forward. If so, check both taillight sockets and the license plate sockets. If they're OK, the problem's further up. To jump forward, my suspician is that, if the problem is not in the taillight bulbs or sockets, It's in the light switch stalk on the steering column or the wiring harness going back. Pull the lower cover on the stalk and check all the wires. Look for any sign of a short or of burnt wires. Unplug the socket to the switch and see if the fuse blows. Use a test lamp to find which wire is your "hot" wire. If you can, get a maual with the wiring diagram and the color code. When you find the hot wire, use a jumper wire to light each circuit. Check that the bulbs light as required. If the fuse blows on one of the circuits, start tracing the wire. Check all the circuits. You may have a short in more than one wire. If so, the harness, which runs under the carpet and door sills, is shorted somewhere. Find the short and repair it. If all the wiring is OK and no fuses blow when you test it, your problem is the switch itself. Replace it. Good luck and let us know what you find. Hy

 

vman5911 could you find the problem?I have the same thing dont know what to do..its 2000 solara
thanks

 

This was an old post and I had completely forgotten about it. The advice I gave nine months ago is still the same. Finding a short is sometimes a slow, complex process. Start with the end, the bulbs, and work backwards. Obviously, working on the switch area in the steering column is the most difficult and complex. Be especially careful to avoid the wires going to the airbag. They're in a separate harness, but are near the light switch harness. The most likely problem/short areas are the bulbs and sockets and the harness under the carpet, especially by the driver's seat. I have seen harnesses in the trunk itself acccidently punctured and/or shorted. As I said, it's a slow process to locate the problem area. Good luck. Hy