Problem with Tailights

CALIFORNIAKENPHD

MEMBER
1991 TOYOTA COROLLA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

1991 Toyota Corolla DX, 1.6l both brake, tail, and back-up lights work until I step on the brake or put the car in reverse. When I do the right rear (passenger) side light apparatus shuts off completely.

bulbs and fuses are good. An aftermarket trailer light hook-up was installed but I have never used it and have never had a problem. On visual inspection it doesn't appear to have a ground. All connections within light cages have good continuity.

This is the first time I have used your site but, as you would expect with a 20 year old car, I am constantly looking for advice on repairs. I am hesitant to make a "donation" on a sight on unseen. We have not established a basis of trust. However, if you do provide me with an accurate, timely response I will be back (no way around that) and be glad to pay for future advice as I will then feel that we have a established a trusting professional relationship. I hope you can understand considering the disreputable organizations doing business online.
California Ken PhD

2 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

I think you are on the right track with the missing ground in that light. You can try using a manual ground for testing purposes to find out if that is the issue or not before looking for the actual ground wire. You could also be having a problem with the ground right at the socket also.

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Thursday, January 20th, 2011 AT 1:37 PM

CALIFORNIAKENPHD

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I received too replies and I think that you could have something. If it is something as simple at a broken ground wire I believe I might even be able to handle this (it is amazing that I could probably describe to you in detail the mechanical, physical, and geothermic properties of on internal combustion engine but put a wrench in my hand and say "fix that noise" that I magically transform into a Jerry Lewis/Jim Carrey hybrid, Lol). I will give this a shot and will let you know. Hopefully, I have found a new trustworthy resource for car advice.
Thank you,
Dr. Ken
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