Help! Got a FIX IT ticket - Left Brake Light wont go BRIGHT when braking

[Jasonblu]

Hi there,

Got pulled over for a left tail light out and time is running out to get it fixed without a penalty. Cant afford to pay a pro so I am hoping I can get a solution here.

What I did/know so far:
1) New bulb installed. No change
2) Swapped the twist in bulb housing. Fault did not follow so its NOT the twist in bulb housing.
3) The bulb lights DIM (as it should) when lights are turned on, but doesn't go BRIGHT when brake pedal depressed. (the passenger side and top spoiler brake lights do go bright though)

I therefore suspect the brake pedal switch. I unplugged the connector down there and plugged back in hoping just a loose connection. No change.

Can someone walk me through how to further troubleshoot this or direct me to a thread that goes over it - a thread search turned up nothing.

Thank you!
Jason

 

[tristero]

Hi there,

Got pulled over for a left tail light out and time is running out to get it fixed without a penalty. Cant afford to pay a pro so I am hoping I can get a solution here.

What I did/know so far:
1) New bulb installed. No change
2) Swapped the twist in bulb housing. Fault did not follow so its NOT the twist in bulb housing.
3) The bulb lights DIM (as it should) when lights are turned on, but doesn't go BRIGHT when brake pedal depressed. (the passenger side and top spoiler brake lights do go bright though)

I therefore suspect the brake pedal switch. I unplugged the connector down there and plugged back in hoping just a loose connection. No change.

Can someone walk me through how to further troubleshoot this or direct me to a thread that goes over it - a thread search turned up nothing.

Thank you!
Jason

Add your 4Runner info to your signature for future posts.

The 2010-2013 left rear is known for going out, so I assume that's what you have?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/209315-driver-side-brake-light-no-workie.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/204090-brake-light-gremlins.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light.html

 

[Jasonblu]

Add your 4Runner info to your signature for future posts.

The 2010-2013 left rear is known for going out, so I assume that's what you have?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/209315-driver-side-brake-light-no-workie.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/204090-brake-light-gremlins.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light.html

Thanks for the reply and links. Yes, Its a 5th gen hence the posting to the 5th Gen forum - Ive added that detail in my profile now. Thank you.

None of those links seemed to address a light that lights dim when lights are on but only doesnt go BRIGHT when braking. If they do, I missed it. :redface:

 

[e60ral]

what year 5th gen, they changed the taillights

 

[Jasonblu]

what year 5th gen, they changed the taillights

2010

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

This happens to me. But what worked for me was how the bulb was installed.

But seems like you tried that saying how the bulb was twisted. I believe I had a bulb installed incorrectly, allowing the tail light to turn on but. I brake light.

Don’t think it’s the switch since the rest of your brake lights come on.

Try unplugging and plugging in the harness to the light. Make sure your connections in the socket look good and no tabs broke off.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cndnmax]

Thanks for the reply and links. Yes, Its a 5th gen hence the posting to the 5th Gen forum - Ive added that detail in my profile now. Thank you.

None of those links seemed to address a light that lights dim when lights are on but only doesnt go BRIGHT when braking. If they do, I missed it. :redface:

He asked because 2014s come with LED tails. Is the brake light a dual filament or single filament bulb(PWM). If it’s dual filament you probably have a bad connection somewhere, maybe at the connector or internally. Do you have a multimeter?

 

[Jasonblu]

This happens to me. But what worked for me was how the bulb was installed.

But seems like you tried that saying how the bulb was twisted. I believe I had a bulb installed incorrectly, allowing the tail light to turn on but. I brake light.

Don’t think it’s the switch since the rest of your brake lights come on.

Try unplugging and plugging in the harness to the light. Make sure your connections in the socket look good and no tabs broke off.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If it was a bad connection between the bulb and the bulb housing or bulb housing to the housing socket, wouldnt it not work at all? It lights up, just doesn't go BRIGHT when brake pedal is depressed.

 

[Jasonblu]

He asked because 2014s come with LED tails. Is the brake light a dual filament or single filament bulb(PWM). If it’s dual filament you probably have a bad connection somewhere, maybe at the connector or internally. Do you have a multimeter?

It came with OEM bulbs (no idea if that makes it a dual filament) - I replaced it with an LED aftermarket. Neither bulb (original incandescent and LED replacement) glows bright when brake is applied - just stays dim.

 

[Jasonblu]

Do you have a multimeter?

I do. Yes

 

[tristero]

If it was a bad connection between the bulb and the bulb housing or bulb housing to the housing socket, wouldnt it not work at all? It lights up, just doesn't go BRIGHT when brake pedal is depressed.

No because they are fed using different wire connections

try these

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2582136

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2643385

They worked for me for a little while before going out again. Should be good enough to get the ticket resolved.
[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] has a lot of info here regarding the wiring:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2468745

 

[Jasonblu]

No because they are fed using different wire connections

try these

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2582136

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2643385

They worked for me for a little while before going out again. Should be good enough to get the ticket resolved.

[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] has a lot of info here regarding the wiring:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2468745

thank you. Reading through these I can’t didnt any that seem to represent my symptoms. All of these seem to be for a light that doesn’t light AT ALL versus lit DIM but not going BRIGHT upon braking. This seems to be a key detail that points to the brake switch mechanism not completing a circuit and sending higher current through the bulb.

 

[fsroader]

If it was a bad connection between the bulb and the bulb housing or bulb housing to the housing socket, wouldnt it not work at all? It lights up, just doesn't go BRIGHT when brake pedal is depressed.

It takes 3 wires to run a dual filament bulb.With 2 you will get 1 filament so ,yes you have 2/3 of a connection.

 

[Heavy_GD]

Cant afford a pro? How much is the ticket going to cost?

As for the free option, if you have a multi-meter I would recommend using it... this is a simple circuit.

If you have power when the pedal is pushed its a ground issue.
If no power then check the switch at the pedal
If no power follow the 12v source until you find it.

 

[tristero]

thank you. Reading through these I can’t didnt any that seem to represent my symptoms. All of these seem to be for a light that doesn’t light AT ALL versus lit DIM but not going BRIGHT upon braking. This seems to be a key detail that points to the brake switch mechanism not completing a circuit and sending higher current through the bulb.

Dude first post. Trying to help but I can't read for you too unless you come sit on my lap.

The light itself seems to work in that it lights up when the headlights are on, but it doesn't light up with the brakes, so it doesn't get brighter like it should. The passenger side light works just fine, as does the top light over the rear window, it's just the driver side that is bad.

 

[Heavy_GD]

Dibs on the lap time.

 

[mizznfizz]

Having the same problem and have narrowed it down to the Blue wire in the connector that connects to the housing being loose. However, does anyone know what pin tool I need to remove the pin? I have looked all over the place (this is actually where I found out what to start testing and found it is a common issue for 2010-2013, mines a 2011) but can't find what pin tool?

Funny thing is that we had this to Toyota, while we still had the warranty, had multiple bulbs replaced, the small housing for the brake lamp that plugs into the main housing replaced and then they were going to have us purchase a whole new main housing for the damn things (at a cost of something like $250). I said stop at that point and started doing my own investigation. Hate taking things like this to the stealerships.

 

[Hans Moleman]

Sounds like a BMW with electrical problems

 

[Engineer]

wait so is it BRIGHT or DIM?

Seriously OP, did you read the threads linked? They explain exactly the problem your having and what was done to fix it.....:whipping2

Stop capitalizing bright and dim, we get it

 

[Engineer]

No because they are fed using different wire connections

try these

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2582136

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2643385

They worked for me for a little while before going out again. Should be good enough to get the ticket resolved.

[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] has a lot of info here regarding the wiring:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157573-bad-rear-brake-light-2.html#post2468745

Just get his address so you can fix it for him :wof: