2017 Tacoma won’t start - because tail lights?

Totally agree 100%

 

So I talked with a mechanical gremlin hunter and he suggested my issue above was coincidental and unrelated.

That said... at first I tried the flat 4 converter... then after watching a YouTube video on how to test trailer lights with a battery I devised a way to rig the entire system to get brake, turn, running and also the addition of reverse lights for my trailer... as I was converting it to 7 blade system.

The gist of it...

Used the existing taps off the DS running, brake and turn lamps plus the PS turn lamp tap.

Spliced into the reverse lamp on DS

I have six wires going to my trailer...

Left
Right
Running
Brake
Reverse
Ground

Used the flat 4 connector plus a flat 2 connector

In my trailer junction box, I added a jumper between the running and brake (turn) leads.... as the single bulbs need a 2x dose to activate the brake filament.

It works.... and I completely took out the converter all together.

The only issue... when I hit the brake without running lights on, all the lights turn on (including my Tacoma running lights). When I tap my brakes with the running lights on... the brake lights function reliably.

Sure, this may not work for everyone... but I did hack the system and I’m not chasing grounding gremlins all over the place.

Mine’s a 03 BTW.