I have a 2008 Generation II Touring Edition Prius. Someone informed me that my passenger side tail light was not working. I ordered some red LEDs to replace the suspected burned out bulb. When I opened up the trap door from the inside of the rear and when I checked on the bulb, it lit up. (Thought that it had loosened itself?) When my LEDs arrived, I unplugged the bulbs (right and left) and attempted to replace the old bulbs. The LEDs would not light up. And now the bulbs will not work either. I went to the auto parts store and bought replacement 2825 bulbs. No go. Is there a fuse that may have blown? Or ??? I don't have a tool to check for voltage - what is my next step? Thanks for the help.
Go to Radio Shack, or an auto parts store, get a cheap voltmeter, and learn how to use it. Less than $20. Knowledge gained there from.... priceless. That said, loose connections are a problem even for experienced DIY'S. Check that the chassis ground connection bolts are tight, just below the hatch back latch.
Tail lights, license plate lights and parking lights are all on fuse #15 in fuse box under dash to left of steering wheel, 10 amp. If all three are out, probably fuse. For 2007 Owners Manual ppg 435-436 have fuse box(3) layouts.
That must be it; those are my symptoms exactly. I will get a fuse at the Toyota dealer tomorrow and give it a go!
Any parts house will have the fuse. It will be cheaper there than at the Toyota dealer. Fuse panel is under the dash on the drivers side. Crawl under dash and look straight up. If you are limber, you can do it. I am old and arthritic, I will have to leave that kind of work to my mechanic. Good luck to you.
As you promised that was very difficult. I was at my limit with the contortion, but I got it done and now the lights are back in working order!
The parts store had two types of fuses. Standard and Mini. Cheap enough, I bought both, because I was not sure which was required. Turns out that both were not "right". The Toyota fuse was smaller than the Mini (and very low profile - so much that a fuse puller could not get a bite on it). I was able to pull the bad fuse out with a small pair of dykes, and the Mini fuse fit (and worked) in the slot, but it is too tall and interferes with the cover.
Goodness, that is bordering on the line of ridiculous. I do not doubt that what you are saying. It doesn't make sense that Toyota would use non standard fuses, except that it makes it harder for the DIY person to fix something. Had I known what you stated, I would have not recommended a parts house. Thanks for the information. I will remember this.
