Can a tail light assembly really go bad?

[dallison]

I had replaced a bulb a few weeks ago and then the dealer replaced it last week when it was inspected. That bulb went out again and they said that the assembly needs to be replaced.

I wonder if cleaning the metal connections will do the trick or do these things go bad?

If so, i need to buy a new/used one.

thanks

 

[KP Texan]

I had replaced a bulb a few weeks ago and then the dealer replaced it last week when it was inspected. That bulb went out again and they said that the assembly needs to be replaced.

I wonder if cleaning the metal connections will do the trick or do these things go bad?

If so, i need to buy a new/used one.

thanks

Unless the bulb is loose in the housing and bouncing around to cause filament failure, I don't see how the housing itself could be bad.

 

[e60ral]

i bet it's just some corrosion that needs to be removed, clean them up and make sure you use bulb grease (dielectric grease) when you install the new bulbs

 

[teotwaki]

I had replaced a bulb a few weeks ago and then the dealer replaced it last week when it was inspected. That bulb went out again and they said that the assembly needs to be replaced.

I wonder if cleaning the metal connections will do the trick or do these things go bad?

If so, i need to buy a new/used one.

thanks

I cannot imagine the housing going bad unless somehow water got into it and corroded the contacts. Take a look at this video to see how easily you can disassemble things yourself and see what is going on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6B6q11pPUs

 

[<<<<]

Dealer does your light bulb replacements? I'd check contacts in connector to the bulb in question. Taillight assembly has nothing to do with your light bulb power unless it is LED part that is built in.

 

[dallison]

Dealer does your light bulb replacements? I'd check contacts in connector to the bulb in question. Taillight assembly has nothing to do with your light bulb power unless it is LED part that is built in.

It was in for the state inspection and it needed the bulb to pass. I thought it was strange too. I'll have to check it out when i have time. I'm thinking that i need to clean the contacts on there.

 

[flyrv9]

There have also been issues with bad crimps on the contacts to the wires on some of the early 5th gens. There were a few threads about it at the time. A search should bring them up. I'm guessing Toyota addressed this in newer models; as I haven't seen any recent threads about this issue.

 

[dallison]

There have also been issues with bad crimps on the contacts to the wires on some of the early 5th gens. There were a few threads about it at the time. A search should bring them up. I'm guessing Toyota addressed this in newer models; as I haven't seen any recent threads about this issue.

This could be what they were referring to. My wife had taken it in so they could look at it again. Since it's a 2010, it probably has the original taillight.

This is the first time i have seen a bulb with this connection. I was a bit surprised to see a bulb in there without being attached to a harness.

 

[teotwaki]

Just saw where you said you had a 2010 so I found some specific photos

Toyota 4Runner Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide - 2010 To 2016 Model Years - Picture Illustrated Automotive Maintenance DIY Instructions

 

[scanny]

I had an issue with passenger rear stop light, when it wasn't coming up intermittently I fixed it by removing the bulb with socket, clean everything and gently bent socket external contacts just in case. Oh and I remember that power to stop light was coming from backup bulb socket, I think I cleaned it too when I saw it. Never had problem since then. I was prepared to remove taillight assembly to clean it properly, but didn't have to do it. I'm pretty sure you don't have to replace whole assembly.

 

[dallison]

Thanks guys. I haven't had much time to monkey with it this week. I'll have to clean things out and do what you have suggested. It was the white bulb that wasn't working.

I have replaced a lot of different stuff on our 2001 4runner in the past so i do all of my own work. I couldn't tell you how many rusted bolts had broken off on me and how many times i had to redrill holes or use a sawzall and curse while doing it.
This will be a much cleaner job.

 

[dallison]

It's fixed. I took out the tail light and bent out the tabs where the bulb made contact. I took some sandpaper and scuffed up the surface too. I figured a tail light can't go bad electrically, esp after seeing the wiring. I knew there was no possible way, it was too simple.

Thanks all for the help.

 

[dallison]

This was exactly what i did. Thanks for the tip.

I had an issue with passenger rear stop light, when it wasn't coming up intermittently I fixed it by removing the bulb with socket, clean everything and gently bent socket external contacts just in case. Oh and I remember that power to stop light was coming from backup bulb socket, I think I cleaned it too when I saw it. Never had problem since then. I was prepared to remove taillight assembly to clean it properly, but didn't have to do it. I'm pretty sure you don't have to replace whole assembly.

 

[teotwaki]

It's fixed. I took out the tail light and bent out the tabs where the bulb made contact. I took some sandpaper and scuffed up the surface too. I figured a tail light can't go bad electrically, esp after seeing the wiring. I knew there was no possible way, it was too simple.

Thanks all for the help.

Thanks for sharing the happy ending :thumb: