"New" '98 -- Reverse lights out -- gotta pass safety!

Hi folks,

Just picked up a (new to me) '98 Tacoma and love it. So much easier to work on than the old Exploder. Unfortunately, the state of Utah says I need working reverse lights to pass safety, and I'm an electrical moron. All the fuses in the engine compartment look good, as well as those under the driver side dash. both reverse bulbs are good as well. I saw on another post that the backup lights involve a few other switches & connections, but I didn't see them when I traced the wire harness back from the rear gate -- any ideas?

Thanks!

 

The element inside looks intact -- I'll put them in another socket and make sure. Which fuse is the reverse? I pulled them all in those two fuse blocks and they were good . . .

 

Just dug out the multimeter -- also switched the back up bulbs with the turn signal ones and they worked. Found another unlabeled fuse in the driver's side rear light housing, and it looked good.

I noticed that after switching the bulbs back, the turn signal blinked normally when the brake lights weren't on, or when the headlights weren't on. When either WAS on, the turn signal blinked twice as rapidly on the dash and on the exterior lamps. Could whatever caused this also cause the problem with the back-up lamps? (Or maybe I blew something out by switching the bulbs earlier . . .oops) I don't remember if this was the case before testing the bulbs in the turn sockets (hadn't driven at night yet with this truck).

Gotta love slow Sunday mornings . . .

 

You bet --

Tried the hazards, and only the turn signals blinked (the passenger side was much dimmer though . . . )

Headlamps and taillights worked when I turned on the lights too.

 

I'm thinking you may be right -- I'll get to the store and try some new bulbs. Thanks for the info!