My tail lights do not come off, also engine check light, any ideas?

Hi all, I am totally new into tacomas and I have bought a 1999.

My first problem was an engine check light, when I ran the diagnostic tool it said "Oxygen sensor circuit slow Bank 1 Sensor 1".

Was told I can run with this no problems. Still would want to ID the sensor and fix it, preferably myself.

Last night I noticed the bottom light bulb on the tail lights would not turn off. So when I stop the truck and turn the lights off and also the ignition key off, the rear bottom of the tail lights remain lit.

I am not sure if the problem is the position light or the brake light, have not checked as it is a two man job.

This is serious and I do not know what to do or were to start looking.

I am in need of some ideas for both items. Also if a kind soul has a 1999 single cab service manual or can point me to one, greatly appreciated.

Same goes for an online supplier of parts that is economic.

Thanks all and happy new year! Mine will be with the lights on, lol

 

For the tail light problem, it sounds like your brake lights are staying on. Try checking the brake light switch on the brake pedal. It might need to be adjusted.

 

Thanks Booker! Yes I found a thread about that and was going to see if that does it. Thanks heaps!

 

You'll find tons of great info here for the problems you're trying to correct. May need to search by the specific DTC to find more specific info on your O2 or AF sensor situation.
Anything electric or electronic and involved in engine management use only OEM parts or Denso parts. Don't get suckered into buying counterfeit Denso parts because of loww prices. Do your homework on protecting yourself from the counterfeit parts market (as ridiculous as that sounds, it's true though) and welcome to the most helpful first gen Tacoma community that exists.
Please be an asset and not a liability to the community and no whining allowed here. These trucks are 25 years old man and will need upkeep and work to stay on the road. A fact of life.
I just hope you have your expectations of your tacoma in line with what reality is likely to give you. They are well designed, well built, long lasting if maintained light duty pickups.
Any who, good luck. Check brake switch, check bulbs and sockets in the housings, those have been known to corrode, etc...

 

As far as the o2 sensor goes, I'm pretty sure that is the one before the cat. You'll want to get that fixed. Which engine does it have?


Lastly, rockauto is a good place to get parts, there is also a standing 5% discount for tw members


NVM:. Just looked at my lights. The upper is the tail, I think.

 

Hi Guys and many thanks for the useful info.
I traced the light problem to the brake switch. There was some sort of green plastic bit making up for the lack of adjustment of the plunger, or it was part if the original bit. I do not have the tools to adjust the brake switch mechanism and bring it closer to the pedal so they make contact, a piece of wine cork is filling the gap temporarily.

Since I disconnected the battery overnight because of the brake light problem, the check engine light has gone and is not coming back. Magic fix! hahah. Was told by the people at AutoZone that the error I had is unimportant.

Noted Cruiserguy comments about original parts, thanks. Also thanks Oxdeadbeef for your link.

I am making a bit of a list of things I have found in this car that need to be addressed. Not sure where to post it. So far mostly "cosmetic" like the tailgate handle is broken, was told somewhere I could find a metal one instead of plastic. I also have some issues with the drivers door lock, the gas compartment lock is missing, and so on and so forth.

Will be checking these pages and reading further as time becomes available.

Happy new year to you all and many thanks for the help.

Ah and I have a Tacoma 1999 single cab 4 cyl 2.4 auto. At least that is what I think I bought, lol.

 

Just a heads up, disconnecting the battery resets the computer. Which is why the check engine light has gone away. If there is an issue with an O2 sensor it will come back on, so be in the look out.


Just basic forum stuff, if you want to reply directly to someone’s comment click the “quote” button as I have done to reply to your comment or tag someone if you are mentioning them and want to draw their attention, for example:
@Muttleyyyyy

good luck and welcome to TW

 

Circumstances that light up the CEL are important. I think the people at AutoZone are unimportant.

 

That green plastic piece is the factory nylon cap. I have many, many tools, but did something similar to your cork idea because getting up in there to adjust those switches is a real pain. I glued a dime to that nylon spacer and its been fine for over a year. Gave me just the right amount of adjustment.