Brake Light Trouble! Need Help!

Hey there friends! Long time lurker first time poster! I own a 2001 2.7 Pre-runner Xtracab with 310k mi. A couple hours ago my driver side tail light went out, so I headed to autozone and bought a 2 pack of 1157 bulbs and headed home. After installing the bulbs the tail lights turned on fine but were extremely bright as if I were pressing the brake pedal. And do not grow any brighter when I press the brake pedal. My 3rd brake light above does light up fine when pressing the pedal it just does not make the tail lights any brighter as I believe they are using the brighter of the two filaments inside. When I have zero lights on and press the brake pedal only then do the taillights illuminate with the dim brightness that they should have while the car is just running and not applying brakes. I have already tried switching the bulbs around as someone mentioned that it could be the polarity but they only go in the one way. Any ideas friends!? Please let me know if I was confusing or if you would like any pictures. I really appreciate the help.

 

It is possible to force the bulb in the socket wrong .

I am guessing before the bulbs were changed things worked correct ?

Poor quality on the bulbs production glitch bulbs assembled wrong.

take them back I venture quite a few will be that way.

 

I have checked now that they are not backwards and they certainly aren’t but if I force them in the wrong way they light up dim like usual the only problem being that they do not get brighter when pressing on the brake pedal when I force them in the other way.

 

This is my driver side brake bulb socket, this is the bulb that first burnt out. Do you guys believe that it could be the socket causing this issue? I have tried cleaning it with 99% alcohol but it has done nothing. What do you think?

 

Assuming they worked ok before, it’s unlikely the wiring on the truck got FUBARed in the process of changing the bulbs. That said, some Toyotas have a separate fuse for the taillights (does the Tacoma? Idk), which may be worth checking.

Other than that, you’re left with either defective bulbs or user error as the most likely possibilities. Let us know when you get it sorted.

 

You could try scrubbing the contacts with a pencil eraser or something, clean thoroughly then coat with dielectric grease.

 

I really appreciate your insight! I will go ahead and check my fuses along with cleaning the contacts with an eraser, if that fails I will try new bulbs and report back, thank you.

 

As an aside, stating that you “Need Help!” in a thread title is best reserved for true emergencies, like when you’re stranded or otherwise in an urgent situation.

You title was adequately descriptive, so I’m guessing nobody panicked after reading it…just something to be aware of.

 

I use a fitting brush on a drill with CRC 3-36 to clean the sockets alcohol will not help .

 

Alright friends, I have tried cleaning the contacts, replacing the bulbs again, using the eraser and wire brush did not seem to fix anything. Checked all of my fuses and none of them were out and all worked properly, I had recently thrown in some LED bulbs for the headlamps so I tried with them disconnected and same issue. I believe that my socket may be shorted out so I purchased replacement tail lights for $50. Does anyone have any other ideas that could be causing it!? Forgot to mention that I also checked the brake pedal switch and was able to hear the relay for the brake switch while checking the switch. I appreciate everyone that has been helping me tons

 

OOPS I forget the first thing I always check it is such a habit I never think about doing it . we all forgot to mention it.

Does your truck have the converter box for the 4 pin plug these tend to cause all manor of interesting and strange light problems?

At anytime did you use a meter and check at the taillights ?

A short circuit will open circuit protection or cause melted wires or a fire till the circuit opens.

A circuit can be open and not cause a short .

A wire broken inside the insulation . A incomplete connection on a plug due to a broken pin or bent pin.

we all can miss simple things after doing this for years.

Hang in Good Luck.

 

One contact in the socket looks a little "cooked".