I am having a problem with my 4Runner's brake lights and would love some ideas of where to start. Here is the deal. When the headlights are off and the brake is pressed the brake lights illuminate but yet the dashboard lights dim. When the headlights are on and the brake is pressed the tailights do not get brighter indicating that the brake is on but yet the dashboard lights still dim.

Is this a simple matter of a bad ground, and if so where would I look? I have replaced bulbs and checked fuses. I have also checked with a meter to see that the bulb conection is indeed being grounded (I get continuinity between the frame and one of the light bulb socket connectors.) Also, what's up with the dimming of the dashboard lights?

90 4Runner V6 255,000 miles and counting!

 

The problem was as simple as the wrong type of bulb! The dealer told me it would take over 3 hours of diagnosis work, but one look at the light bulb and whamo! With the correct type of bulb everything works great!

 

Congrats on figuring it out because I had no idea what the problem could be. Oh yeah, welcome to Yotatech.

 

Hi Newbie!

We can use those powers of deductive reasoning here - welcome!

 

Nice catch! Welcome newbie!

 

I think the wrong type of bulb has its pimples in different places to make it harder to put the wrong one in.