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2017 Tacoma won’t start - because tail lights?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Jasonalex28, Jan 22, 2019.

  1. Jan 23, 2019 at 6:40 AM
    #61
    Flatout110

    Flatout110 Well-Known Member

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    Engine oil By-pass filtration system. B&M transmission cooler Rustproofed
    Pertaining to any manufacturers current production vehicles, I would be real cautious and hesitant about installing any aftermarket electrical components on the vehicle. Most aftermarket remote starts, alarm system are garbage, it’s not a matter of if they will cause problems but more of when. Most installers are horrible leaving you with unsoldered rat’s nest of electrical wiring which is almost impossible to straighten out when a problem occurs. The best and only way to purchase a new vehicle is to be certain that every electrical option is factory Installed during production. I wouldn’t even trust a dealer installed option as many sell aftermarket garbage to increase their bottom line.
     
    toysrgood[QUOTED] likes this.
  2. Jan 23, 2019 at 7:03 AM
    #62
    Rainoffire

    Rainoffire Well-Known Member

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    I have used positaps for a while now, they seem pretty reliable.
    Better than those splice taps.
    Best is to have them soldered.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2019
  3. Jan 23, 2019 at 7:18 AM
    #63
    salmonmigration

    salmonmigration Well-Known Member

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    Really the only proper way to tap a wire is to use solder and heatshrink. Both kinds of those tap connectors are unsealed so the wire will eventually corrode and screw up. They do sell these butt splice sleeves - it takes some technique to install but you ain't ever gonna have any connection issues with one of these.
     
  4. Jan 23, 2019 at 7:34 AM
    #64
    gurneyeagle

    gurneyeagle Well-Known Member

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    World record set for mis-using the term "break". :rofl::thumbsup::cheers:
     
    Siblue likes this.
  5. Jan 23, 2019 at 10:25 AM
    #65
    Mack7n

    Mack7n Well-Known Member

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    High performance additions like Tail-lights require more torque than these engines provide to power them. Truck knows this, so doesn't even bother trying to start to save the embarrassment
     
  6. Jan 23, 2019 at 10:44 AM
    #66
    Yota_Ivan

    Yota_Ivan Geaux Tigers!

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    A little bit of this, a little bit of that...
    They crimp because they're lazy and in a rush. BTW a lot of solder already comes with a flux core.
     
  7. Jan 23, 2019 at 11:39 AM
    #67
    PvilleJohn

    PvilleJohn SVT Raptor

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    FIFY lol
    0948167A-77B4-445F-9324-E02D47C68654.jpg
     
    ihatemytruck and gurneyeagle like this.
  8. Jan 23, 2019 at 1:25 PM
    #68
    NoOne

    NoOne El Taco Guapo

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    solder AND crimp.... done.
     
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  9. Jan 23, 2019 at 1:27 PM
    #69
    Rainoffire

    Rainoffire Well-Known Member

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    Not with that attitude.
     
  10. Jan 23, 2019 at 3:30 PM
    #70
    Parker315

    Parker315 Modding on a Budget | TTC Member #0127

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    TTC (Texas Toyota Coalition) Member #127
    So idk if you've worked this out yet, but your reverse lights are pin number 7 on a harness that goes into the fuse box under the hood. Maybe it's possible that it shorted out and maybe shorted out a couple other things in the process.

    This seems very odd. But that's the best I can come up with.

    Edit: saw you worked it out.
     
  11. Jan 23, 2019 at 3:32 PM
    #71
    Parker315

    Parker315 Modding on a Budget | TTC Member #0127

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    Do you have a pedal commander installed? For brake override go down and unplug the harness from gas pedal then plug it back in and see if that resets that issue. Happen to me once but mine was pedal commander related.
     
  12. Jan 24, 2019 at 3:57 AM
    #72
    Sp8ce_monkey

    Sp8ce_monkey New Member

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    Sounds like it could be your brake light switch, try jumping the pins
     
  13. Jun 30, 2019 at 7:57 PM
    #73
    HansWorldTravels

    HansWorldTravels Well-Known Member

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    Interesting thread... interesting comments on the sensitivity of the wiring.

    So... about 1.5 months ago I bought a 5x7 trailer.... hooked it up to get in inspected (all lights were working at home). At inspection shop... lights stopped working. Possibly a ground. 2nd round... attacked a ground right to the frame (of my the tacoma)... self tapping screw... at home it worked, at shop... stopped working again. 3rd round (worked at home)... worked on drive to shop, I didn’t turn off at shop, just to get it passing inspection.

    Here’s the funny part... round 2, we were messing with the lights, with little luck. So I go to drive home again.... and my Taco would not start. Turned over, turned over, turned over. Nothing.

    Nothing was working, so I just decided to try the clutch start override. Turned it over and boom it started.

    No starting issues since or before.

    Fast forwards to tonight.

    I was a rewiring the trailer... flat 4 (but I’m adding/replacing with a 7 pin), and was having some issues with getting all the lights working. Finally got the trailer lights working (the Taco was in run, but the engine was off - to use turn & running lights)... and when I went to start it, nothing.

    I let it sit about 10 minutes, tried it again. Nothing.

    But then I hit the clutch start override button, let the battery/starter give it a little movement and boom it started up again.

    Heavy (fuel rich) exhaust.

    I haven’t the foggiest what could reset itself through this process, but curious (based on comments above) how wiring (and loads/shorts/etc) of a trailer could impact operation of the vehicle itself???

    PS... originally it had the “LED trailer wiring harness” on it. But last year I took it off (when I took the bed off)... this year I replaced with a new version... using the same tapped locations as previously (near the rear lights).
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2019
  14. Jul 1, 2019 at 3:26 AM
    #74
    Flatout110

    Flatout110 Well-Known Member

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    Is your Taco equipped with the factory tow harness and trailer plug?
     
  15. Jul 1, 2019 at 5:27 AM
    #75
    HansWorldTravels

    HansWorldTravels Well-Known Member

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    No, it has neither.
     
  16. Jul 1, 2019 at 4:56 PM
    #76
    Flatout110

    Flatout110 Well-Known Member

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    May I suggest installing a professionally constructed trailer tow harness from a reputable company. I believe you are experiencing problems with the can-bus system on your Tacoma.
     
    monkeyface likes this.
  17. Jul 1, 2019 at 7:13 PM
    #77
    TRDPRO360

    TRDPRO360 Well-Known Member

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    I had the same problem in my 17 Taco. I recall my mechanic saying something about the sensor with the shifter or somewhere else was faulty so the truck would power on but nothing else. Also I recall the brake not getting power so it was hard to press.
     
  18. Jul 1, 2019 at 7:14 PM
    #78
    TRDPRO360

    TRDPRO360 Well-Known Member

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    You might test your battery. I remember the battery just being bad all of a sudden shortly before I experienced this issue. It was not even on my radar because the truck had low miles but somehow it failed prematurely.
     
  19. Jul 1, 2019 at 7:29 PM
    #79
    monkeyface

    monkeyface Douchebag, or just douche if we're friends

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    Canbus does lead to some weird problems. LED bulbs have a canbus option - https://www.superbrightleds.com/blog/can-bus-led-bulbs/293/
     
  20. Jul 2, 2019 at 3:14 AM
    #80
    Flatout110

    Flatout110 Well-Known Member

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    Before going completely crazy looking for electrical gremlins that may or may not be there, I would return all and any electrical mods you have done back to factory original and eliminate that issue. If you need to tow then I would source out the Toyota OEM factory wiring harness and install it the way the factory installed it. Returning everything the way it was engineered to be will help you find the real issue. May I also add that butt connectors and wire taps have no place on these new vehicles, these time saving garbage devices cause all sorts of electrical issues. They are not a permanent repair or install. It’s a Canbus vehicle and there is no tolerance for any “unengineered “ resistance installed by incorrect components. Don’t mistake this for not being able to “play” with your truck, just do one thing at a time and be completely aware of the possible consequences. I like to write things down and keep a record so I can always revert back to original. Never was a Toyota fan, owned many trucks, after a Prius I insisted my wife purchase I knew they built good products. My Taco has by far the best build quality of any vehicle I have ever owned. Have some patience, think things out and go slow, you will find your electrical issue. Good luck !
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2019

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