2017 Tacoma won’t start - because tail lights?

Oh, well then, brake pedal switch, unplug it and check with your multimeter. Should show open when not applied and have continuity when applied.

 

How do you know this? It pops up on the screen saying "apply brake"? Describe what else is happening.

Really though you probably ain't going to get this problem diagnosed here. You shouldn't have blown a fuse unless something got screwed up. I would recommend taking it to a mechanic you trust or the dealer failing that.

 

Wiring diagram? Scan tool? I agree a likely cause is the brake pedal switch signal is not getting to the ECU. We could confirm that with live data or with a test light / multi meter. Much easier to trace wires with a diagram. Pretty sure somebody posted one here.

 

Lights are assembled. I try to start it and this message comes up

 

The car says ignition on. But does not try to crank . Break lights still don’t work

 

Threads like these make me scared to buy any newer vehicles that owners have worked on.

 

Have you checked your ignition fuse? Do your turn signals work?

 

Yes the turn signals work

 

Ah. I blew the IGN1 fuse one time and it wouldn't start and I didn't have turn signals. Was worth a try

Edit: might be helpful

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-malfunction-and-cel.399319/#post-11086365

Maybe try removing your negative battery cable?

 

Yes the turn signals work

Do you mean unplug the break pedal connector and use the miltimeter there?

 

Yes, also test the wires that you unplug too.

 

Grounder?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-override-malfunction.501724/page-6

This issue had a blown STOP and TAIL fuse. Perhaps you have the same issue.

 

Do yourself a favor, and look into what you shifted when you moved your bed, and/or find a way to pull codes or some real scan data. See what the cause for override is. Don't just keep guessing. Electrical gremlins are no fun, and easily made worse by using a DMM without knowing how. The smoke capsule inside all vehicle modules is easy to set off.
And if you don't know pony up for someone to fix it.
-the guy who fixes "it" for a living

 

Obviously different experience(experiment?) but these trucks are sensitive. I put in led brake light bulbs and lost my accelerator after braking because car thought both were being pressed. Glad I was gentle swapping them I guess

 

The truck starts! It was a bad fuse under the hood.

Now my break lights and turn signals work, but my rear running lights don’t work.

Any ideas?

 

Awesome! Sounds like another fuse is blown

 

Mine wouldn’t start because my taillight got water in it and shorted out popping the fuse. Dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of. Took me two hours to figure it out.

 

Had the same problem when I swapped aftermarket taillights. The security system detected a slight electrical surge and interpreted it as a theft attempt. The dealer covered it under warranty. They had to replace 2 fuses and recalibrate the security system. I did not mention the taillight swap and said I didn't know what happened. Hope this helps.

 

I know from my dad's 2008 FJ Cruiser, that the newer canbus wiring is very sensitive to voltage drop or surge. All that he did was tap the backup light wire for turning on an aftermarket backup camera. Put it all together, and it all worked great in the garage. But when he left for dinner that night he reversed out of the garage so it automatically turned on the camera for maybe 30 seconds. Well in that time, the ECU saw the voltage drop, and turned off the alternator so it would not charge. So as he was driving to dinner it was draining the battery to the point that he almost died on the hwy. Needless to say, the stealer was the only answer he had.

They removed the camera wiring, and wired it directly to a switch off the battery. Replaced his "gapped" harness and reset the ECU, to turn everything back to normal. No problems since. The mechanic said that his setup would of worked on any wiring harness that wasn't a canbus setup.

So in your case maybe you should raise up the bed on some spacers and check out all the wiring for pinches, rubs, and chafing... Great looking truck by the way!