Brake light gremlins

[Lsuwhodat]

Hey guys I searched and came across a few threads but nothing gen 5 specific. My wife's driver brake light will not come on. So far I have done the following:

Tested fuses
Swapped bulb and housing to each side
Checked continuity of the bulbs, housing, and brake switch.
Added dielectric grease and bent the prongs on the housing ever so slightly to get a tighter connection.
New bulbs
Sanded connections gently


Right now I am at the point of where I am trying to test continuity in the brake light housing itself. I am no multimeter guru so here is my question.

There are three contacts in the brake light housing where the bulb "holder" locks into. I assume one is a ground, one is for running lights, and the other is for brake lights. I would get a beep from my meter when the brakes are pressed on one of these correct? If lights are on then I should get a beep from the other correct?

 

[flyrv9]

The beep function of your meter is for a continuity check and not generally used for the check you are doing. I suggest you look for 12v at the socket with the bulb removed and the brake pedal pushed. You can use any good ground.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Funny to see this pop up.

On a recent trip my buddy was driving behind me and told me my driver brake light was not working. Then a few miles down the road said it was working again.

I have not done anything to try and rectify considering I don't drive my Runner that much plus the fact I can't see it, but oh well.

 

[KVA]

Funny to see this pop up.

On a recent trip my buddy was driving behind me and told me my driver brake light was not working. Then a few miles down the road said it was working again.

I have not done anything to try and rectify considering I don't drive my Runner that much plus the fact I can't see it, but oh well.

Have had this happen...it's how the bulbs connect/contact on the 10-12 models. I upgraded to the 13+ rear taillights and haven't had the issue again.

 

[rigtec]

Hi [MENTION=76542]Lsuwhodat[/MENTION]

Have you checked the Stop light Rly yet? Nothing will happen at the brake light bulbs until this rly is initiated. It's located under the hood (Engine Rm) in the Main fuse/Rly box. To simplify things, have someone step on the brake while you listen closely to determine which relay it is. If it clicks, you can look further downstream e.g., brake, turn signal, hazard bulbs... If it makes no sound, check the Stop light switch (@break pedal) for power (HOT +) at the RED wire.

There are two fuses that serve that circuit... One is under the hood labeled Stop fuse 10A; which feeds the stop light switch, and the other is in the driver side fusebox labeled, IG1 7.5A which feeds the stop Rly. Hope this helps, Best!

 

[Antman]

Test the connections at the taillight plug and make sure you have:
*Ground at the white/black wire
*Power (+12v)at the green wire when the headlights are on
*Power (+12v)at the blue wire when the brake pedal is depressed.

If this checks out you have a problem most likely with the taillight itself. If you take the taillight off (very easy 2 bolts) and take the foam black cover off the back you will see that power is routed by single strand copper wire into crimped connections to where the bulbs twist on. One or more of these connections may be corroded/or loose causing your issue.

I can help more once you check this stuff out!

 

[KS4RUNNER]

I just had this happen to me as well this month, also on the Driver's side brake bulb, tested out everything, new bulbs, finally I took off the passenger side tail light and plugged it in to the drivers side wire harness and it worked fine. So I needed a new tail light and this was the perfect time to change my set out for the new 2014 led version. Really like the new look. And it was extremely easy to do. Just check out the 2014 tail light thread to get your part numbers if you are interested.

 

[Lsuwhodat]

Awesome thanks guys! I have always been a Jeep guy cj7 with a 360, TJ, YJ, XJ.... 4runners are a mystery to me. Not really but you know what I mean.

 

[Z0MBIEproof]

I half expected gremlin shaped vinyl stickers over your taillights...