License plate lights turn off when brakes are applied

Tiny
DELNLARRY
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
When the brakes are not pressed, all lights seem to work properly. When the brakes are pressed, all lights seem to continue to work properly, but the license plate lights turn off. Ease off on the brakes and the license plate lights work again.
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Saturday, January 18th, 2014 AT 9:26 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Have you tried making sure you have the correct brake bulbs in the brake sockets?
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Saturday, January 18th, 2014 AT 10:59 AM
Tiny
DELNLARRY
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  • 6 POSTS
Yes, I did that. In fact, I bought new brake light bulbs just in case one or both was defective. No change in the problem. They are definitely the correct bulbs.
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Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Do you have a multi meter to do some testing?
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Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
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  • 6 POSTS
Got the problem fixed. Turned out to be a broken wire in the wiring harness in the trunk area. Thanks.
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 2:16 PM
Tiny
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Was it on the passenger side behind trunk hinge?
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
DELNLARRY
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I think so. A friend found it and fixed it for me, so I'm not exactly sure. But is was in a bend in the wiring harness. In fact, the other wires in the grouping were all pinched, so he spliced in some extra wiring on all the wires to make them longer and, hence, less likely to pinch.
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Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 1:53 PM
Tiny
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I have seen some of the lexuses do that but the brake light was just inop.
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Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 3:11 PM
Tiny
DELNLARRY
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Now that you mention it, I think he said there also was a problem with the brake lights going dim or out when the brake was pressed, although I did not notice that when I was trying to figure out the problem.
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Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
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Glad to hear you got it fixed.
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Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
DELNLARRY
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Me, too. Now I can get it past safety inspection. Thanks.
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Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 4:20 PM

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