1990 Toyota Camry Tail lights and backup lights dont work

1990 TOYOTA CAMRY
150,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
LEFTYGUITARJOE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hey, I own a 1990 Toyota Camry, and there are a few things I'd like to fix with it. The tail lights and the back up lights both dont work. The tail lights have gone on and off several times, and the fuse has only blown once. The back up lights have never worked since I owned the car. I'm thinking to fix the tail lights, I just splice a wire onto the license plate light, which still works. But I dont know where to start with the back up lights. I dont want to have to rip apart the interior to fix a short or something if I dont have to.
Nov 8, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,542 POSTS
First off, splicing the wires together is not a good idea. The circuits are all made to withstand only a certain amount of electricity. This could overpower the circuit causing the fuse to blow.

I am assuming that you have checked the bulbs?
The brake light switch should also be checked. It is located below the driver side dash. Locate the arm holding the pedal and you will see a switch that comes out when the pedal is depressed. This is what causes the brake light to come on and go off.

As for the back up lights, if the bulbs and fuse are fine then it may be the switch for this as well. It is located on the transmission.
Nov 8, 2008 at 11:36 PM