tail light out indicator staying on

[firefighter245]

the center brake light burned out, I replaced it and now the indicator on the dash still lights up when I hit the brake pedal.....the dealer tells me that more lights must be out, and guess what they are all working in both the running light, and brake light. Reset system????

Please help

FF demers

[WissNX01]

reset system? WTF? have the dealer fix it, you obviously cant do it.

[Akshay]

Maybe the bulb is the wrong voltage? Check all your rear lights again.

[Philip Werntz]

Originally Posted by firefighter245

the center brake light burned out, I replaced it and now the indicator on the dash still lights up when I hit the brake pedal.....the dealer tells me that more lights must be out, and guess what they are all working in both the running light, and brake light. Reset system????

Please help

FF demers

I just had the same problem--dash "idiot light" showing rear bulbs burned-out, even though all appeared normal with wife operating turn-signals, lights, and brake pedal while I observed. After removing tail-light assembly and visually inspecting all four bulbs, all SEEMED to have intact filaments, though one bulb was darkened. When I noticed that some bulbs had DUAL filaments, an ohmmeter check immediately showed one burned-out, and the replacement cancelled the "idiot light" right away. End of problem...

[pinkflydxx]

I had the same problem with my 99 Avalon. After checking I found that the brake light in the rear window had a bulb blown. I had to have someone push the brakes while I checked all the rear lights. Be sure to check all lights both with and without brake pedal depressed (as some bulbs are dual filament).

Also I would recommend to check the lights on the license plate and in the trunk area too. I am not sure if they are on the same warning light circuit, but worth checking into if you cannot find any other problem lights.

[Jbsys]

Originally Posted by pinkflydxx

I had the same problem with my 99 Avalon. After checking I found that the brake light in the rear window had a bulb blown. I had to have someone push the brakes while I checked all the rear lights. Be sure to check all lights both with and without brake pedal depressed (as some bulbs are dual filament).

Also I would recommend to check the lights on the license plate and in the trunk area too. I am not sure if they are on the same warning light circuit, but worth checking into if you cannot find any other problem lights.

I am new here and also NOT a car guy.

My wife's '95 Avalon has the "idiot" light on and I found it to be the Rear Window break light. I can't figure out how to get at it to replace it.

I looked in the trunk and all I saw were 4 nuts holding the Sub-Woofer in place? Do I go in thru there?

Please help as my wife won't stop nagging me until it is fixed.

Thanks
Doug

[Joe W]

There should be 2 plastic clips under the rear panel, by the speaker. Remove these, then pull up on the housing from inside the car.

[pinkflydxx]

On my 99 Avalon, you have to access the rear window brake light by removing the sub-woofer grill cover. As you sit in the back seat, facing the rear of the car, use a screw driver to gently pry up each corner of the cover (the two corners closest to you). They should be held in place by a pin/grommet or a x-mas tree type fastener. After you have these two pins up and out of the grommet, pull the grill towards you. This should remove the two "hooks" that hold it in place in the rear. Flip the cover assy over and you will see where the wires for the bulb enter the bulb housing. Twist the housing and pull to remove it from the grill cover. At this point, the bulb should be seen and easily remove. Get a new bulb and insert and reverse the instructions. Not really very hard to do this one.

PS Be careful not to touch or otherwise damage the sub-woofer speaker as it will be more or less exposed after you remove the grill cover.

[yufengchien]

This problem is very simple. just lamp resistant issue. Don't use Philips lamp. Use East-Asia lamp.

[jgemini]

I found this forum, and this question and answers, by a Google search, and it solved my problem for my 2001 Avalon ... the indicator light came on when I pressed the brake pedal, and it turned out that the rear window brake light was out. Sliding the speaker cover unit inward opened it up, and replacing the bulb was straightforward. Thanks for the help (especially pinkflydxx).

[bobby20007]

I have the same problem your guy have with my Avalon 2001. It 've tried me nut when I saw the sensor on but now is gone and what I did is I went to Kragen to buy the bulk and they gave me the same bulk with your orginal one (12v/16W) You should double check all your back light again to see if you might find any bulks was burned out even the licence plate light. Then you replace it and the sensor will gone. If & if the sensor 's still not gone, the only way you can do is reset it. What some of mechanic friend told me that, you can reset by disconect your battery connection. You only need reconnectthe positive one (red) You might try it & one thing you will lose is all your setup memory such as the time, radio and your seat setup. if it is not work, you should bring it to dealer to check it. Good luck!!!

[CupCate18]

Be sure to check all bulbs as well. I had 2 go out at the same time in the two lower lights, everything matched and brake lights still came on when pressed, but then I realized there are 2 bulbs that light up in each set-up when the brake is pressed.

I do love the idiot light feature for this. No one ever really thinks to check them.

[sadman]

Hi all,

I got the same problem with my 96 Toyota avalon. Its tail light indicator was on. I checked the rear lights. The center bulb (the one is on the rear dash) was out. I replaced it. But the tail light indicator is still there?

Today, I drove home from work. The check engine light was on. I didn't know what was going on.

Is the engine light on dued to the bulb replacement?

How could I get rid of the tail light indicator and check engine light?

Thanks
Sadman

[jdmccright]

Check the wiring harness going to the rear bulb assys...especially if your trunk lid has attached tail lights. The wires in these harnesses have a knack for breaking due to fatigue. If not, then the tail light failure indicator box has failed.

[sadman]

Hi jdmccright

Where do I find the tail light failure indicator box ? Is it the one mounted in the center of the rear dash board?

Do you have any ideas why the engine light is on?
thanks