StevenMathews

My '92 Camry sedan has the common dead tail lights problem. I understand that the culprit is likely the Light Failure Sensor. I have also read to check the wiring near the left trunk hinge since it takes a lot of flexing. Question: Is a fried Light Failure Sensor always/usually associated with a short somewhere or does it often blow on its own? In other words, if I fix the Light Failure Sensor how likely is it that it will stay fixed?

Thanks,

Steve

JOET/CAMRY

Hello StevenMathews, if you fix/replace the Light Failure Sensor it will probrally burn out on you again unless you find/fix the short which caused it to burn out in the first place. the yellow box (light failure sensor) should not burn out on its own because of age. You could have a broken wire near the left trunk hinge; but most likely it's a shorted out light bulb for the brakes (#1157 bulbs) that is causing the Light Failure Sensor to fry. I recently had the same problem with my 1989 camry and sure enough it was bad bulbs. even though the bulbs look good they still could have an internal short. just replace all brake light bulbs if you don't have a digital multimeter to test them. bulbs don't cost that much. If you can't fix the Light Failure Sensor you have the car junkyard sells them for much less than the toyota dealership. good luck fixing your car. JOET/CAMRY

calvic

I have seen 2 failed tail light sensors. Both were taken out by shorts
in the wiring harness. Anything possible I guess but I sure wouldn't
count on it being just a bad sensor. I sure would check that wiring
real good.

__________________
1988 Camry LE
4 cyl Auto
335,731

1994 Volvo 940 Turbo
1992 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel
2006 Mustang GT

StevenMathews

Thanks guys for the info.

JOET/CAMRY: I don't understand your brake light comment. The brake lights still work, it is the tail lights that don't. Could a brake light bulb be shorted and still light up when I step on the pedal?
Thanks, Steve

JOET/CAMRY

Hello StevenMathews, I should have read your post better. Your having problems with your tail lights, I got it. i am not sure if a light bulb (for the brakes or whatever)will still light up if it has an internal short in it. maybe someone reading this post will know the problem your having with the light failure sensor frying is caused by a short. Either a shorted out light bulb for the tail lights; or, like calvic said, a broken wire in the wire harness in the trunk of your car where it flexes(near the hinge). You need to find the short and fix it or you will keep frying the light failure sensor no matter how many times you fix/replace it. good luck with your car. let us know how you make out. JOET/CAMRY