I press it to see if somthing happens but I didn't notice anything. What is it supposed to do? Does the 4runner have to be on/off, andything special? I searched the 86-95 forum and found nothing. Thanks for any help.

 

I thought the deck lamp was for pickups only. I believe the deck lamp is for the light on the top of the cab on pickup models for the back of the bed.

James

 

hmm...very intresting, I have an 87 4runner and it is on the left hand side of the dash, slightly below the steering wheel.

 

On mine, the deck lamp is a light back in the cargo area that only works if your lights are on. Turn your lights on,(Headlights or running lights, it won't matter) and hit the swich. If the light dosen't come on, the the bulb is probably burned out.
On pickups, that switch is a light that shines down in to the bed.

 

there is also a switch on the light in the rear of the runner. if you switch it on the dash control will turn it on and off, if you leave the dash control on you can control the light via the switch on the light. more things you now know about the runners.

lee

 

Ohhh, I feel foolish now, I bet it turned on and everything but I was looking as the dash, but I never thought it would turm on the rear light. I always wondered how to turn that rear light on from the front. I tried turning the dash light until it "clicked" on the rear inside light (kinda like on a blazer). I'll have to try that out later tonight. Thanks again everyone

 

Sorry I had to...

 

i like it!!

lee

 

Ha ha! Dont be so hard on yourself, That is what this forum is for!

 

I couldn't figure the light out either and assumed the bulb was burnt because the light wouldn't come on when I flipped the switch at the dash. Wasn't until I read the owner's manual that I figured out how to work it.

 

mine has a neat "feature" of killing the motor...

'87 PU

 

I'm so grateful for this forum, cause I've spent 2 months fixing up all sorts of things on my truck and got around to taking off a camper that made it look like a 4 runner. Replaced the lens for the light in the rear of the cab, thought it was a brake light, pressed the brakes and ... NOTHING. but the brake lights went on... so not the fuse..., not the bulb, cause I used a DMM, maybe wiring, but I didn't wanna pull everything apart... ...so research on the forum... ...all the while thinking, why in the damn hell would this lense be white???

I tried the deck lamp, but thought, well I don't see any lights turning on at the (dash?)... ...

LONG story short, found this thread after searching third brake light a billion times, then deciding, well I wonder what that deck lamp switch is for?, low and behold, turning on the headlights, THEN flipping the switch and VIOLA! magic.

I love it. It's so amazing. Damn toyota parts people kept telling me it's the 3rd brake light. AND the SAFETY inspection idiots said, well, we can't safety it unless all the lights are working... ...even if most trucks don't have that light.
I'm gonna take my truck down and tell um... "WELL actually, that's NOT a 3rd brake light, contrary to popular belief, it's called a DECK LAMP"... hehe. I feel so empowered. thanks.

It's like the lightbulb that goes on above the head of a cartoon, DOH!

 

Haha, I couldn't figure it out either until now!

Thanks

 

it is kind of a dumb design that the light only works when the lights are on for the longest time I thought is was broken until I was driving and hit the switch and a light popped on in the back I ended up turning it into a back up light switch and added a light to my bumper.

 

it's switched to the headlights so you dont leave it on and come back to a dead battery.

mr3RTE: you need to get a picture of yourself with that light coming on right over your head like you just had an idea. hang it in your garage/workshop/office for inspiration during future frustrations