Toyota Pickup Tail Lights

How to Diagnose Toyota Pickup Tail Light Assembly Problems

The Toyota pickup tail light assembly is as uncomplicated as any light with an on and off switch: brake lights will come on when you press the brake pedal; the lights will go off when the pedal is released. Hazard, turn signal lights, and reverse lights work on the same principle. If something goes wrong though, information below will help you save a lot of time, trouble, and money:

Hazard lights don't work, but turn signals do

The problem is obviously neither the bulbs nor the turn signal switch. First, check if the fuse is busted. If the fuse is good, check if the hazard switch is creating a proper ground. Usually you can fix the ground by spraying WD40. Or, if you find this process messy, an electrical cleaner is a better alternative.

The brake lights don't come on

Check if the third light comes on when you depress the brake pedal. If the third light doesn't come on, the problem may be a bad fuse, brake light switch or unplugged harness. Check the emergency flashers if it turns on. Flashers will not come on if the problem is bad wiring the since they use the same wiring. If the flashers are working, check the fuse. Change the fuse if busted. Change the bulbs if the fuse and the wiring are okay.

No brake light on one side

Since the other brake light is working, the problem is likely the harness or the bulb. Check if the wiring is loose or if the bulb is busted. Repair the wiring as needed. Check the socket for corrosion and clean it if necessary. Test if the bulb is busted by using the bulb on the other headlight and test it to the side that's not working. If it comes on, the bad bulb has to be replaced.

The lights don't come on after changing the fuse

Check the fuse again. Most likely, the fuse is busted again because the electrical circuit is shorted to ground. This rarely happens, but when it does, you have to manually check the wiring. Refer to the car repair manual for the wiring schematic of the brake light circuit. Once you locate the problem, repair as needed and replace the busted fuse.

The Toyota pickup tail light assembly is composed of several lights, each with an important role to fulfill. If one of the lights is busted or if the lens is cracked or damaged, you have to repair it right away. If the lens becomes hazy or scuffed, it must be restored. And if the lights are dull and flickering, you have to replace them immediately so that it may not endanger other drivers. That said, here are some basic Toyota pickup tail light assembly maintenance tips:

 

Change the bulbs when necessary.

 

 

Driving with busted tail light bulbs is dangerous not only to you, but also to the people behind you. So if you notice any of your tail light bulb is no longer working, replace it right away. How you change the tail light bulbs depends on how your Toyota pickup tail light assembly is constructed. On most models, you have to remove the tail light assembly from the vehicle before you can change the bulbs. Some models only require you to remove the tail light lens.

 

 

Replace the tail light bulbs with manufacturer's recommended replacement bulbs.

 

 

Replacing the tail light bulbs with a new one is a smart move to help keep the tail light assembly well maintained, but you have to use the correct bulbs for the following reasons: an incorrect bulb may cause dim brake light operation; it may not work at all; it may toast the fuse; it may burn the tail light lens; and it may prove to be a safety risk to you and to the vehicles behind you.

 

 

Clean your tail lights as you clean your pickup.

 

 

There is nothing special about cleaning your tail lights. Just wash and wipe them dry as you do to your vehicle. But if the lens are already becoming swirled, hazed, and scuffed after years of being exposed to the elements, you have to do some restoration job. Remove the tail light assembly from the vehicle or unscrew the lens from the assembly and clean the lens using automotive soap and water, sponge and a 1500-grit sandpaper.

 

Solving Common Toyota Pickup Tail Lights Problems

Your Toyota Pick tail lights are more than just parts that give pretty lights to your car's metal booty. Tail lights are important safety features both for you and the driver behind you. So to save you the hassle of explaining to the cops why you chose to drive a car with a lightless back, here are some simple ways to solve the common tail lights problems.

Burnt bulbs

In case you're wondering, old age isn't the only thing that can cause your Toyota Pickup tail lights to burn out. If you've been replacing the tail lights far too often than your friends, then the problem may no longer be on the bulbs that you keep purchasing.

First thing to consider is your car's reflector, if you have one. A loose reflector risks touching the bulb glass which may cause the reflector to melt. This would then cause the light bulb to overheat and burn out faster than usual. To avoid this, you would just need to tighten the reflector.

Second, you need to take extra caution when you're handling the bulb (during the installation or even when you're inspecting it before purchasing). Fingerprints and oil on halogen bulbs and, more so, xenon bulbs would increase the chances of them overheating. Using a hand glove or even a piece of cloth during the installation is highly recommended.

Burnt fuses

If you observe that more than one bulb do not light up, then you likely have a broken or burnt fuse. A simple look at the fuse box would verify this; you may need to replace a part or two in the assembly. The fuse box is placed differently across vehicle types and car models so it is best to consult your car's manual.

Loose connections

There is also a chance that the bulb and the fuse are fine but the tail light still won't go on. If this is the case, you likely have a problem with the electrical wirings connected to the light assembly. You can check the wires near the tail light as well as under the car; they may have been damaged or loosened through time. The connections need to be solid and, of course, intact, while the surfaces should not show signs of corrosion.

If you tell us that tail lights can be left unattended for months, then we would assume that you just started driving yesterday. Your Toyota Pickup tail lights are important because they exist for nothing less than your safety as well as the other drivers' on the road. To ensure that the light bulbs continue to look out for your safety, here are some tips to help you maintain them in good shape:

 

Don't keep a burnt light bulb installed any longer

 

 

It's surprisingly common for drivers to just ignore a burnt light bulb; for as long as the cops won't spot you, right? That is where you're wrong. A broken filament inside the bulb risks a build-up of water vapor. This may cause the tail light to blow up; not too ignorable now right? You need to replace a burnt or damaged light bulb as soon as possible to avoid any further damage. If you're a little low on cash at the moment, it may best to just take the bulb out and leave the assembly bulb-less until you got some coins to spare.

 

 

Check the connections regularly

 

 

Through time or because of rough terrains, the electrical connections of your Toyota Pickup tail lights may become too loose or, worse, be cut off. A quick look at the wires near the bulbs and assembly once a month or every two months is good enough.

 

 

Another thing to check is the socket assembly. There is a chance for dust, dirt, or any other stuff to build-up in the socket, causing a dimmer light. If these parts are far from being saved by cleaning, replacing them is the only way to go.

 

 

Check the reflectors if you have them

 

 

Some tail lights have reflectors which may become loose after some time. A loose reflector may touch the bulb and eventually melt, causing the bulb to overheat. A quick retightening of the reflector is enough solve this.

 

 

Handle the bulbs properly

 

 

A lot of people do not know that their fingerprints and oil on the bulb is harmful. Especially for xenon bulbs, these can cause the bulb to overheat and burn out faster. It is advisable to use gloves or small pieces of clothes when handling the bulbs during a DIY task.