no brake lights

[calvic]

Well I lost the brake lights on my 88 Camry. Checked fuses there ok. I hooked another ground to the lights, no joy! The warning light for the lights is on. I don't think a bad brake switch would turn on the warning light because it is a normally open switch,

The day before the dash lights went out along with the tail lights, replaced tail light fuse and everything worked accept the brake lights. What turns on the lights warning light? Anyone else had this problem?

thanks
JJ

[Joe W]

Try the switch anyway.If that checks out check the wiring.Esp.around the trunk hinge.

[calvic]

Well I checked the switch, its good. Voltage to the switch. No voltage at the trunk where the hinge is. Trying to go back forward in the harness. Hot wire to the brake lights is red-green, wire to brake switch is red-green however forward of the truck at the rear seat there is no red-green in the harness. Anyone got a schematic? Whats the deal?

JJ

[calvic]

Okay I figured this no brake lights deal out. Best way to t/s I found is to pull connector from light failure sensor(left side of trunk). Check voltage coming from brake switch, this checks integrity of wiring from trunk forward. Next check continuity from connector to brake lights.
I had a bad light failure sensor, which Toyota wants $175 !!!
I opened mine up and found a broken solder trace on the P/C board.
I soldered a 22ga. jumper wire across the break in the trace. Good to go now. This method save you from opening up all the wire haness and standing on your head to check brake switch etc.

JJ

[Brian R.]

Good idea! Thanks for posting it.

[Joe W]

Thanks for the heads-up.Pun intended!