Hello everyone....this is kinda crazy, i can't find the problem. Maybe someone out there knows the answer.

I have a 98 4runner. With the running lights on the tail lights do not turn on. When the brake is applied, the lights illuminate. I checked all the bulbs, and fuses, everything seems to be in order. It just seemed to happen within the day. I don't know if i am missing something or what. Please help!! Thanks.

patrick

 

bump!

 

Are the tail light bulbs the same as the brake light bulbs? I don't remember.

Do you have a trailer hitch wiring harness that you have used lately?

Gotta be a bulb or a fuse somewhere I bet.

 

check for bad/cut grounds. have had similar problem before and turned out to just be a cut ground under the rear bumper.

 

Cool thanks for the good ideas......i know i have the trailer harness on the hitch but i have never used it....i will look at the ground tomorrow...does anyone think it might be the relay? Thanks again!!

patrick

 

Bumpity

 

Ok so i tried changing the relay in the fuse box under the hood. That did help the tail lights. So there has to be another problem somewhere else. Anyone have any other good suggestions?

thanks
patrick

 

OK, this is gonna sound really stupid....wabbit gets the prize. i was getting really pissed at this stupid light thing....so i took the lights apart and looked at the drivers and passenger side bulbs. Well on my 4runner the tail light bulb has to filaments one that glows for the running lights one when the brake is applied. So needless to say there was one of the filaments burned out...so i am an idiot.....lol thanks for the help everyone.

patrick

 

No such thing as being an idiot when tinkering with Toyota wiring.

 

If you find the bulb itself is not at fault, check the socket carefully. Not uncommon to have a connection inside the socket corrode or pull apart. I have had that happen a few times on my daily driver. Seems that the common ground connection is the one I have had problems with before. Lose that and the running/brake light filaments can only ground out through the other filament.