Hello folks,

Just got a 'new' '98 Tacoma & am fixing up a few things. I'm ok with not having backup lights, but apparently the state of Utah isn't. The reverse lights don't come on at all, and when the headlamps OR the brake lights are on the turn signals blink fast (like there's an open circuit or blown bulb). The turn sig returns to normal if I take my foot off the pedal or turn off the lights. I'm thinking all of these problems have a common cause, but haven't been able to figure out what it is.


So, the bulbs & fuses are all good, and I checked the reverse electrical switch on the side of the transmission too.

Any ideas?

 

Hey,

99% says a bad ground. The tail lights, signals, stop lamps and reverse bulbs all ground to one common point. That point is behind the dash board, above the steering column.

Simple fix; Remove the left rear tail lamp. You will find a solid white wire coming off it. Strip some insulation off that wire, and solder a pigtail (another wire) off it. Ground the pigtail to the truck with a fresh screw and eyelet connector behind the tail light (where it can't be seen). That will supply a good ground to the tail light system, so that current can flow properly.

100% fix; Find the white wire under the dash. It's called G202, and is described in my FSM as "On the left end of dash, behind the dash, above the steering column". Remove and clean that connector and recheck. If problem persists, there is resistance in the wire and it must be replaced.

 

Fa Sho