1990 Camry Tail Lights Don't Work???

[cfweeks]

I have a 1987 Toyota Camry. The brake lights stopped working.

I replaced both brake light bulbs and the brake light switch above the brake pedal. This only cost me about $15 but it didn’t solve the problem.

After reading this forum thread, I found the yellow box in the trunk. It appeared to be in excellent condition, inside and out. No burn signs of any kind on the circuit board. But, I decided to replace it anyway because I had already replaced everything else associated with the brake lights.

I first visited the local after-market parts stores and none of them had the part in stock. Second, I visited the Toyota dealers in town and they all wanted $193 for the part. Since I wasn’t 100% certain this would solve my problem, I decided $193 was too much money to spend on a guess. Finally, I visited a local salvage part dealer who sold me a used Light Failure Sensor ( aka yellow box) for $16 with a 30 day return option.

After installing the used Light Failure Sensor, my problem was solved!

Thanks to all for bringing my attention to the Light Failure Sensor. According to my repair manual, this part doesn’t even exist.

Thanks again!

[LordOfTheFlies]

Originally Posted by ca_sheprdboy

G.I.Jer - if it's not too much trouble, I'd love to have a close up picture of the other side of the 'yellow box' circuit. Apparently something shorted and burned out a resistor to the point that I can't tell what the value of the resistor is supposed to be.



or if someone could just tell me what resistor it is. Any help would be much appreciated!

Just thought I'd post this up for all potential future people who might have the same issue as me.

Friend's car, 1990 Camry 4-cylinder.

Brake lights worked fine but parking lights would not come on in the tail lights nor the trunk lights. Checked all the fuses, reset all the breakers, but to no avail still.

Reverse, hazards, and everything else worked fine. I did change out a pair of 1157 bulbs (one was burnt out on the driver side tail light) and a 194 bulb in the front.

The above picture is EXACTLY what was wrong with his lamp failure circuit board.

I called the dealer and it was $193 + tax!

So I figured I'd whip out the sodlering gun and as noted above it looks like it's just a wire...so I just plopped a bunch of solder on the connection and whammo everything worked! Only thing is the dash "LIGHTS" warning light is on...so I told my friend to replace the circuit board with an eBay special if the light bugs him.

Wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted on this thread. Very helpful!

[rimfire,22]

Originally Posted by crsjt

OK...it seems the shop was trying to screw me!! it was not in fact my headlight switch and all the jiggling in the world never got the tail lights on. It was in fact my tail light relay!! It took about 2 seconds to change out and cost me $25 used!! If anyone has this problem where all lights work except tail lights I highly recommend checking this out. I almost paid a ton of money for something that wouldn't have fixed the problem
The relay is on the left side wall of the trunk behind the carpeting. It is a yellow box a little bigger than a pack of cigerettes. All you do is get it unhooked from the body and remove one plug. You can open the relay and see if any circuits are burnt out. It was obviously burnt on mine.
Don't get screwed by some shady mechanic!! Check this out first!! It is so easy my grand ma could do it!!
Cheers,
Chris

Chris,

I had simular issues recently on my 89' Camry and found out that mine was solved by replacing the sockets that houses the bulbs. I was told that the metal contact was shorting out. Consider changing these out also. Your car is one year apart from mine so perhaps the same parts need replacing in the future if the issue comes up again.


rimfire,22

[wetwilly85]

This forum has been really helpful, I have a 1990 Camry and am having a problem with the brake lights.
1. The brake lights don't work
2. The rear light signal on the dash is on

I have checked the fuses and replaced the stop light switch, no help. It seems that the problem might be in this mysterious yellow light relay box in the trunk... however I've taken up the carpet on the drivers side and can't locate it... is there any chance that my model (manual, cruise control) does not have this relay? or am I just not looking in the right place?

[Mike Gerber]

From my earlier post in this thread:

"Have you checked the loom of wires inside the trunk by the driver's side trunk hinge? The wires inside there have a tendency to fray and break from all the flexing they are subjected to as the trunk is constantly opened and closed over the years. Just open up that loom of wires and looked for frayed or broken wires. Repair as necessary."

I would check this out first before assuming it's the relay box in the trunk. Problems with this loom of wires are more common.

Mike

[wetwilly85]

OK great, the problem is fixed, I finally found that yellow fuse box and there was an obvious burnout on it... I dont have any soldering equipment so I just Jerry Rigged it with some speaker wire and electrical tape to bypass the burnt relay... now my brakes work like a charm.

I just wish I hadn't wasted the time and money on the stoplight switch... if you're having similar problems (none of your brake lights work) I would suggest checking out the lamp failure sensor box before repairing the stoplight switch... Thanks to everyone who posted, this forum saved me a ton of money...

[Toyotaman255]

The good news is yes, there is something you can do........be sure to check all your fuses first, to make sure none are blown. If your fuses are OK.....then the best place to go next is for the Yellow Box (Toyota Lamp Failure Box) in the rear trunk....just pull away the carpet all the way on your left side. The Yellow Box is right above where you may think the gas cap would be on the inside of the trunk.
It is a little tricky to detach the Yellow Box.....but bear in mind there is a wired connection that goes directly into the back of the Yellow Box, if you press on the wired connector it will release easily.
Go to your nearest Junk Yard you'll find the Yellow Box (Toyota Lamp Failure Box) for about $5 Bucks or so. Try to by two just in case. I saved $275 Bucks compared to a quote from an Auto Electrical Specialist in my neighborhood. Good Luck! Be sure to give thanks to the man upstairs.

Note: My 4cyl 1990 Camry DX has 255,000 plus miles and still running strong, will push 120 miles per hr easily, and hold it.

[wetwilly85]

OK, so the whole jerry rigging with speaker wire only worked for 1 day... So I had to find the part at a junkyard, it cost 25 bucks, but it's better than paying a dealer to fix it... anyway, my brake lights are working great... thanks for the help everyone...

[screeeech]

i have tore my trunk apart looking for that yellow box. someone described it as being above the gas cap but its not there. can someone take a picture and show me where it is located in the trunk? and i have a 1990 camry. is there some models that this box is in a different location?

thanks in advanced

[Smitt_Smiggler]

Hello! This thread was excellently helpful as I had the same problem! My tailights were out, but brake lights, side marker lights and eveything elese worked fine. Fuses were good, changed out all the bulbs, but still no tailights. Came on here, read the thread, took out the yellow box, had a burned out wire just like one of the other posters on here. Went to RadioShack, bought bread board wire connctors, soldered it in and my tailights worked!! Only problem is, now when I hit the brakes, the whole left side goes out! No lights at all on left side with the brakes applied! But when the brakes are not applied, the tail ights are just fine!?!? If I dont have the lights on, and I hit the brakes, they both go on perfectly! Anyone know off the top of their head what could be the problem? I checked all my wiring throughout the trunk and all seems to be fine. I do have the left license plate light out and havent checked it, I know the tailights/brake lights are all daisy chained, could it be that that left license light is the prob?? ANy help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a million!

[heyyo302]

Onece I face same problem then I realized that the lights in the center assembly (trunk) have a double filiment, one for the brakes and one for the tail lights. Althought the brake lights were working the tail lights filiment was not. The problem is in the harness on the left side of the trunk lid. This is the second time I have had a short there because of the constant movement of the hindge. Hope this may some useful to you.

[heyyo302]

Onece I face same problem then I realized that the lights in the center assembly (trunk) have a double filiment, one for the brakes and one for the tail lights. Althought the brake lights were working the tail lights filiment was not. The problem is in the harness on the left side of the trunk lid. This is the second time I have had a short there because of the constant movement of the hindge. Hope this helps.

[19camry88]

I had a similar problem with my brake lights with my '88 camry. All of my brake lights stopped working, but the dashboard warning light did not come on. I opened up the yellow light failure box in my trunk and I didn't see anything noticeably wrong with the circuit board. I pulled out one of the tail lights (1157) and the dashboard warning light lit up. My problem turned out to be the brake light switch located at the very top of the brake lever. It cost me 16.95 at Advanced Auto Parts. Make sure you specify whether or not you have cruise control. It’s a pain to put in, but having a headlamp will make it a lot easier. Just loosen the lock nut that is hard to see and unscrew the switch from the bracket. I hope this helps with anyone else having a similar problem.
E

[azamabbas]

I have a similar problem. The Tail light in the trunk are working when i turn on parking lights but when I press the Brake pedal the Brake light filament of tail light doesn't work. I've checked the relay box in trunk and all the fuses.
The harness of one of the tail light had a little rust so i took it out cleaned it and put it back in. but the TAIL light warning light in the indicator panel still lit up as i press the brake pedal.

Any suggestions where should I look for the problem ??

[azamabbas]

just to add to my above post : its a 1991 Camry Australian edition. and exploring a bit more I found an unconnected socket in the truck from the wires leading to the fuse box. there is no place to connect it so why is it there ? cud that be the problem ?