electrical problem

[rids]

recently the interior dashboard lights on my '96 tacoma were not illuminating when i activated the headlights. I discovered by smacking the dash just to the right of center they flickered on and this worked for a while. Then one time i whacked the dash (while the headlights were turned off) for no reason and realized the next time i turned the headlights on that the taillights did not light. it is not a fuse or bulb issue and all other electrical systems are working fine including the dashboard lights - though i am still hitting the dash to get them on. any suggestions before i tear off the dash and start chasing the problem?

[superjoe83]

check the rheostat, its the knob that you use to adjust the brightness of the dash lights, next time they dont come on try turning and wiggling the knob to see if they come on. about the tail lights, im not too sure what could be the problem, try the fuse

[billmc]

I am having a similar problem, I hooked up a trailer to my 2001 Tacoma and the tail lights did not link up to the trailer even though the turn signals and brake lights worked. The odd thing was my dashboard lights went out like yours. They did not come back after I disconnected the trailer, and I tried changing a couple fuses, but couldn't find any that were tripped. I haven't tried whacking the dash though. Anyway, I thought the link between the dash lights and the tail lights was interesting. Let me know what you find out.

Originally Posted by rids

recently the interior dashboard lights on my '96 tacoma were not illuminating when i activated the headlights. I discovered by smacking the dash just to the right of center they flickered on and this worked for a while. Then one time i whacked the dash (while the headlights were turned off) for no reason and realized the next time i turned the headlights on that the taillights did not light. it is not a fuse or bulb issue and all other electrical systems are working fine including the dashboard lights - though i am still hitting the dash to get them on. any suggestions before i tear off the dash and start chasing the problem?