new member asks - what is this part??

I live in a rural area of Costa Rica with only one mechanic nearby, he's not accustomed to working on newer vehicles. So I do as much myself as I can.

Toyota Tacoma 2008 access cab.

This fell off, under the drivers side dashboard. Recently my brake lights stopped working, tail lights light up, no backup lights. The brake override switch is engaged. (I cheated and removed the cover to start the car).

It once had a 3rd brake light installed, but it is no longer used because I removed the cap.

Sorry if this is a remedial question, but I really need help.

Thanks.

 

That's definitely not an OEM part. Inline fuse for something someone added.

 

looks like an aftermarket wire for something... i would say amp, but it looks too thin for that

 

That's an inline fuse holder that someone else added at some point. It's so when adding wiring, it's protected by a fuse and won't burn your truck down. Judging by the electrical tape, it was loosely held up there. Look under the dash for two exposed wires and see if it looks like it should be connected. That likely fell from there.

 

I know that it is an aftermarket part.

I had a truck cap, so I am wondering if it was for the installation of the light for the cap. I'm the original owner, the only other "hack" that someone once did was wire a switch for the horn so it would pass inspection.

But this is CR so who knows what any of the mechanics have done to the truck - a lot of repair jobs are hacks, instead of correctly done repairs.

 

The bigger issue is why my brake lights don't work. I try to fix things myself, if I can't I like to know as much about the possible problem as I can...

Going to a mechanic as a blond, foreign female is always a pain in the as*, even though I speak Spanish fluently. I try to be as knowledgeable as I can about a current problem.

 

What likely happened is they tapped into your brake lights to wire in your topper brake light, that fuse fell out, and the loose wires shorted out and blew your tail light fuse. Check your fuse for your tail lights. It'll be behind that panel near your left knee.

 

Beat me to it