LED Tail Light Burned Out - Repair or Replace?

Easily done:

 

Holy crap, that is some distance.

... and I thought that I lived in the boonies.

 

Plastic polish helps

 

The house and wife are down in the St. Paul. I spend the week working in northern MN near Grand Rapids. I think the nearest Toyota dealership is in Duluth or Superior, WI and I'm not headed that way ever. The dealership I bought it at told me there was a $100 deductable on repairs done at any Toyota dealership. But none if done at the one I bought it at, which happens to be Luther Toyota in Brooklyn Park - 30 min west of my house.

Anyway...I'll look into the incandescent route. Or I may dremel it open this spring and try to solder it. Whatever happens will be a while. Too cold and I have no tools up here with me.

 

Thanks for the offer. When it's warmer, I'm going to attempt to cut the outer lense off and see if I can re-solder the board. If I remember right, I read somewhere that the rears can't be heated and pulled open like the headlights can. They have to be cut around the edge. I'll be finding out.

 

Though not certain you may not have to break apart the housing. I just "downgraded" the LED tail lights on my '09 to non-trendy, non-"Altezzea" '08 style housings and sold the '09 housings within 30 hours of doing so. Though I did not examine them that closely IIRC there were one or two Phillips head screws appearing to fasten a tower/housing of sorts around the LED brake light. It may be that this can be removed to allow access to the LED circuit board.

I would almost bet money there is a bad solder joint on the LED in question, this is VERY common in automotive electronics where "highish" mass components are not properly supported--even more so on bikes. If you do find such an issue bed/support the LED (and its brethren) with appropriate adhesive or even epoxy to prevent re-occurrence of the problem...

 

There are 4 phillips screws that hold the curcuit board in place but one you loosen them the board has to be pulled out the front - thus the lense has to come off. I looked at it for a good while last weekend. I almost thought of hacking into the back somehow but the back is domed and I'd have to cut pretty deep to get the flat board out. I thought I could make myself a little access hatch but that's a no go.

 

I'd just sell them and buy some earlier second gen halogen tails.

Unless you just want a project.

 

My solution to those Fast and the Furious taillights. And when they "go out"...I put a $2 bulb in.

Oh...and nobody ever ask which eBay seller I bought my tails from.

 

I may go that route if the price is right. Who'd you get them from? And do I need a new wire harness? The one in there now has a hookup for the led board and not an incan bulb.

 

I have oem housing and i live in the twin cities i would be willing to get you the standard ones and also all the corect harnesses pm 8f your intrested

 

I traded in a '13 base model and swapped them out right there at the dealership. 2 10mm bolts...that's it. No harness needed....plug and play

 

I just finished using the same solution on my "new-to-me" '09, could not stand looking at the silly trendy "altezza" things.

Got the '08 style assemblies from here for $87.41 ($82.46 + FL tax) with free shipping. They are Eagle Eyes brand, a brand I have used in the past, and are top quality. The pigtail harness (lamp sockets and harness connector) and lamps are included--plug n' play on my '09...

 

Would these work for any year of 2nd gen? ('13?). I would love to use these. I actually had a coworker comment that my tail lights must be aftermarket..

 

Plain Jane Taco said: ↑
I believe all rigs 05-08 had the non LEDs. In 09 all models went to LED. Starting in 12 the base trucks went back to the non LEDs with upper trims staying with the LEDs.

I can vouch for this at least prior to the '12.

Funny story, my plate light was out when I went for my sticker last fall (unknown to me). Being that it was dark, shitty weather, and so on I just told them to change the bulb. The manager and guy inspecting my truck walk in 20 minutes later and said "gosh your running lights aren't working now that we put in a new bulb..we can't pass you"..then in the next breath said he knew they were working prior but wouldn't take responsibility because "we didn't do anything, we just changed the bulb". I told him politely that yes they worked before he did that and they will work before I leave here with the truck today. He then tried to tell me "it's those aftermarket taillights that are the problem, and I saw spare fuses in the change tray so I'm sure this isn't the first time..but I checked every fuse under the hood so you have a wiring problem".

I forget the quote but my basic gist is that they came with the truck, were Toyota OEM, and that I carry spare fuses in every vehicle whether I need them or not. I then told him he best stop making excuses and look at the fuses behind that tray, at which he told me there are none there. Really..so I said I'll be happy to march my ass out there and show you where they are, and you can check them while I call the corporate office. Bet your ass he found the fuse he popped and fixed my truck quick like a bunny

 

If anyone is interested, I still have my OEM LED style tail lights that I took off my truck a couple years ago. I might be willing to part with them.

 

Yes

 

Yup--pull two bolts, yank 'em out and unplug the harness connector, plug in the '08 housing and replace the bolts--done...

 

It's that easy. I've done this with 2 of my Tacos. The only thing I would recommend is to replace the main tail/stop light bulb with a fresh long-life buld while the housings are out. The turn signal and backup lights don't get nearly the action....so it's up to you as to whether you want to replace those

 

Thanks guys, I went ahead with the older style Depos... no more altezzas