Need help!! No running tail lights...

Hey by any chance do you know the answer to this? I read that the license plate lights come from the same power source/fuse as the running lights, my tag lights work. Do you still think its a problem in a wire connection somewhere?

 

Yes, the license plate lights are powered from the same source. See the schematic on the previous page. However, I don't know where the wiring actually splits. I would assume it would be at the rear of the truck somewhere.

 

got pulled over this morning -20 with windchill as the cop was taking my info i pulled the fuse *blown* and now no ticket later....fuck i love this site 5 minutes saved me a hundred buck ticket

 

If it blew once, it’ll blow again. Keep an eye on the steering wheel button lights, switch lights, and climate control lights. They all run off the tail fuse. If those go out, you know the tail lights are out too.

 

I installed some cheap ebay climate bulbs never quite worked right the other day when I had command start on the heaters controls lights were like a trance dance party then nothing....would explain why the fuse popped so pulled them out and waiting on new dash bulbs

 

I'm still pulling my hair out over this. I unplugged the plug in the cab that feeds the wires that go to the rear of the truck to eliminate any shorts in the wires under the truck and then tested the pins of the plug itself and there is no power there. So the problem has to be under the dash or something? For now I am going to just hard wire them to a switch that I will have to turn on and off manually so that I don't get rear ended in a snowstorm or something.

 

Maybe a bad headlight switch mine is left one all the time...do you have any license lights or heater control light? Or are they all dead?

 

License plate lights work. Everything works. Fuses have power. Although now I am showing only 4 +- volts on the green wire at the plug in the cab. I just also discovered one of the smaller running light bulbs in the front is out (not the main bigger running light). Could one bulb (again smaller bulb at top outside of headlight) being out cause this?

 

Yes, a shorted light bulb can drag the voltage down although that is a pretty rare thing to happen.

If you are only showing 4 VDC at the plug on the green wire you have a high resistance connection somewhere before that causing a large voltage drop. You need to locate this as it creates heat and could cause a fire. It could be anything from a loose connection to a partially grounded ( shorted ) wire.

 

Bumping this.

Noticed I had no taillights this AM on my drive in, no license plate lights either. No cab lights other than the speedo cluster as well.

Blinkers work, brakes work.

Going to chase this one tomorrow.

 

This: 10 Amp Tail Fuse.

 

Yah gonna start there for sure.
Since I’ve been betting a bunch lately I’m going to put my money on a bad ground.

 

AM update. Pulled 10amp fuse from behind left knee cubby. It was blown. Replaced it. Started up the truck and noticed SMOKE from the rear pass side of tailgate.

Chasing grounds now.

 

I would get under the truck and follow the wiring from the lights toward the cab. I believe they run on the driver's side under the door sills to the fuse panel. If somebody crimped wires for and aftermarket tow package, I would look at that carefully for unintended grounds. Now that you have smoke, there should be visual evidence and it will probably smell a bit.

 

Magic Electric Smoke venting is always bad.

Keep us updated.

 

Trailer / tow package is OEM. Tail fuse blew after canopy brake light was replaced.

Drivers side rear frame ground is good. No corrosion.

 

Did you see what was smoking?

 

If you are blowing fuses and smoking wiring, you have a short, not an open (grounding). If it happened when you messed with the canopy, that's a big clue. Disconnect the canopy and find the short by testing the canopy positive terminal for continuity to ground.

 

Tracked down to a short w/ my passenger side license plate light. I’m running after market LED’s that replace the entire light housing. I’ll look up the link to the product and edit this post w/ what was the problem.

EDIT:

VIPMOTOZ Full LED License Plate Light Lamp Assembly Replacement For 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma & 2000-2013 Tundra Pickup Truck, 6000K Diamond White, 2-Pieces

$14 VIPMOTOZ Full LED License Plate Light For 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma & 2000-2013 Tundra Pickup Truck, 6000K Diamond White, 2-Pieces Tag Lamp Assembly Replacement

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N8M7D66/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BHo7EbY3ZM2P9

This is what shorted out.

 

Awesome! Glad you found the issue. When troubleshooting those types of electrical issues, I always start with the aftermarket stuff or DIY butchery from previous owners.