Loose Wire in the Hatch

Do you have access to TechInfo? Or an All Data subscription? Time to peel off the rear interior trim and start digging around

If I had to throw out a WAG, either a loose/corroded connector that is common to the rear tail lights, or a loose/corroded ground wire that is common to the rear tail lights

If you don't mind waiting till tomorrow, I can snoop around my All Data a bit and figure out a starting point for you.

Just thank your lucky stars this doesn't involve BACNet.

Ok, sorry about the cheap shot there

 

The first place I'd check is the bulbs. Yes, I know they work, but sometimes the sockets get corroded. Shining them up with sandpaper should restore the current flow. If that wasn't it, you'll just have to keep going. But if you start with the wires, Murphy's Law guarantees it's the bulbs.

 

We have a 96 Avalon that lost all its turn signal lights. I failed to see if the emergency lights blinked or not but checked all the bulbs, replaced them, checked the center ground pin in the sockets to ground and all measure fine. No blown fuses. Took it in, they found one of the socket's spring blade that makes contact with the outer jacket of the bulb was not making contact. At least that is what they claimed and ordered the replacement socket but refused their exorbitant installation cost. It the light worked when I brought it home and waited for the part; emergency lights worked as well. Part came, replaced in 5 minutes. No problem since. My only still outstanding question in my mind is that if one socket didn't make contact, why all failed to work? When I take a bulb out, one side works normally and the other speeds up.

So, You may want to check the sockets of the affected bulbs.

 

For a car as advanced as the Prius it's amazing there is not some warning indicator when one of the external lights goes out.
My tail lights do this periodically and I have checked the bulbs, connectors, contacts, and wiring to no avail.

A few months ago I was pulled over while driving home. When the officer told me my tail light was out, I asked to get out, smacked the lens and it came back on. He sent me on my way.

 

Hi Tony, just read the post, I dug out the service manual. On the 2004 In the tail there is one feed that feeds the left and right license plate light and right Tail Light. It is a brown wire, that goes to a junction connector, which is where I think you have the problem, from the J Block 3 brown wires distribute to the right Tail Light and the plate lights. the ground side of these 3 lights are wht/blk in color..At the other end, the +12 supply side, the brown wire runs to the Engine Junction Block which also feed the left tail light and the front marker lamps. the hot side is brown and gnd side are wht/blk they are feed thru a 7.5 amp fuse. If your front markers are out at the same time, its the fuse block that has a problem. If not then I would look at the Tail Junction connector.
The Grn/Wht wires in this block are for the Stop Lights, and the Red/Black are for the Backups. I can not give you an exact location of the Junction Block, but if you pull off the back plastic in the tire well, it will expose the bundle and you can trace it to the Block.

Good Luck. Let us know what you come up with!

 

I had a similar problem with my left taillight. I temporarily fixed it two ways: 1) smacking the light housing, and if that didn't work 2) wiggling the wires around inside the hatch. Luckily is was only the left taillight. I never did get it working all the time.

 

Tony, were you driving really fast? Maybe the electrons couldn't catch up with you. After you stopped for a bit, they were able to catch up and light the bulbs.

Tom

 

If I had to wait until things warmed up to work on a vehicle, I could only work on my vehicles over a 3 day stretch in August.

Some of us have a heated attached garage for a good reason

"Hmmm, feel a draft while under the FJ, better crank up the Reznor a bit"

Too funny. BACNet = bleah

You could always get one of those mobile surveillance systems with flash memory, and have a couple of hidden cameras attached to the tail light housing. SHouldn't set you back more than $1,200.

Failing that, ask your neighborhood meth-mouth pimp-n-daddy crack dealer if he'd be willing to lend you his surveillance system for a few days

 

It's now official, you have all the warning signs of Cabin Fever

:smow:

 

Tony this is an easy fix. You forgot to fill up the lighting fluid. ( NOTE. DO NOT BUY LIGHTER FLUID! IT WILL EXPLODE! BUY LIGHTING FLUID! ) Once you fill up the lighting fluid reservoir leave the lights on for a few minutes to get the electrons moving. You should be OK for another 50k miles.

 

Lighting fluid must be what they use inside of fluorescent lamps.

Fluorescent lamps get their efficiency by working as dark suckers instead of light sources. It is very much analogous to how heat pumps work. Instead of spending all of that energy making light, fluorescent lamps simply remove the dark, leaving behind residual light. It is quite a bit more efficient as long as there is sufficient residual light. If you try to use them in a really dark setting, such as inside of a cave, the efficiency falls off dramatically.



Tom

 

OK, Tony. I've been reading this thread now, just biding my time. But I can't take it anymore.

Loose Wire in the Hatch? It's code isn't it? What does it really mean, Tony?

You're not even 40 yet, are you? Loose Wire in the Hatch --- Nah, you've got years to go before that sets in.

 

"A couple of lights out in the old marquee."

"A few cans short of a six pack."

"Not the sharpest tool in the shed."

"Loose Wire in the Hatch."

 

Hey, that is a good one, never thought of that cause.

 

Hi Tony,

Do not forget to check grounds, and ground straps. And you should do it today - its not too cold, although its a bit humid which makes it feel colder. I was just out for a 1hr 45 min walk - balmy! Wear mittens till your body adjusts to the cold. Works for me.

 

Tony

As a concerned friend and colleague, I have to disagree here. In all seriousness ..... baaaaaaaaaaaa

jay

 

See! I knew it. That's code right there. That's code!