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Tail light issue

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by MacDadMckenzie, May 30, 2025.

  1. May 30, 2025 at 8:36 PM
    #1
    MacDadMckenzie

    MacDadMckenzie [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2020
    Member:
    #335268
    Messages:
    9
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Washington
    Vehicle:
    03 Tacoma TRD
    I’m having issues w/ my drivers side tail light.
    not sure when this issue started I just know it’s been awhile and I’m finally getting around to figuring out what is going on. I’ve read previous threads on tail light issues and found diagrams on the entire wiring for the tail lights.
    My issue is when I turn my lights on, my drivers side turn signal is constant, as well as my reverse light being on but very dim and neither side reverse light work. It’s only when I have the lights on. Otherwise everything seems to work fine to my knowledge. I figured maybe there was corrosion then when I started to check it out, someone at some point had spliced in aftermarket lights. And screwed w/ every wire there is connecting the drivers side harness.
    I thought maybe something is crossed but I’ve tried everything and still having the same issue. Any one have any ideas?
    I’ve been pulled over a few times. No ticket yet so want to fix this issue before I get a ticket lol! thanks in advance (I’m not great w/ wiring but I can under stand diagrams to an extent. The more simple the better)
     
  2. May 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
    #2
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #429578
    Messages:
    3,377
    Gender:
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    First Name:
    Steven
    Sugar Land TX
    Vehicle:
    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    What type bulbs u running?
     
  3. Jun 1, 2025 at 6:28 PM
    #3
    koco

    koco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2012
    Member:
    #79503
    Messages:
    545
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area Ca.
    Vehicle:
    '01 Taco
    Around $26,000 worth of unleaded in the fuel tank.
    Probably the easiest way to restore the wiring would be to compare it to an unmolested one and put it back to normal.
     
  4. Jun 2, 2025 at 6:26 AM
    #4
    wingnutj468

    wingnutj468 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2018
    Member:
    #256052
    Messages:
    134
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Vehicle:
    2003 gold doublecab 4x4 2.0
    Plan on spending some time underneath your rig with a creeper and a test light. Somewhere the current just ain’t making its way to where it needs to go. Start up front and try to find where it is working and then work your way back to the light. Might want to have a battery charger handy. Cut a piece of wood to keep the brake pedal pushed down to check those. Good luck, playing wiring gremlin detective takes a lot of patience. But, usually when you find the problem, it’ll be so obvious why the weren’t working.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2025 at 8:45 PM
    #5
    koco

    koco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2012
    Member:
    #79503
    Messages:
    545
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area Ca.
    Vehicle:
    '01 Taco
    Around $26,000 worth of unleaded in the fuel tank.
    If I remember right, the parking lights on it are negative trigger, so verify that and keep it in mind when testing.
     

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