Tail/Brake Light Issues

kaine614 · 10-26-2009, 05:59 AM

Hey guys, ive had my 89 Supra 7MGE non-turbo for about 2-3 months now and everything was and still is running smooth (with the exception of what i believe is a BHG from reading the other threads) until about 2 weeks ago i was riding at night in the rain and for whatever reason when i got back home the dash light indicating that my brake lights were not functioning properly and upon further review that was correct, i replaced all fuses in the rear and bulbs all to no success of bringing back my brake lights, ive heard one possibility of what it could be but before i mention what ive heard what does everyone here think it could be?? PLEASE HELP!!

cre · 10-27-2009, 01:08 AM

Tail Lamp Failure Module - You have a couple options Repair/modify it OR delete it and rewire around it.

kaine614 · 10-27-2009, 01:24 AM

how would you suggest i rewire around it?

cre · 10-27-2009, 03:25 AM

Follow the instructions here: http://www.supramania.com/forums/sho....php?p=1409048

kaine614 · 10-27-2009, 04:03 AM

ill do that def. thanks i appreciate it

cre · 10-27-2009, 04:18 AM

My recommendation would be to pull the connector out of the module's box and add jumpers to that... that way, if you ever want to return to the stock wiring you can just unplug the jumper and plug in a good module.

Chromemoly · 10-28-2009, 02:08 AM

Sometimes (Many Times) I have found that corrosion effects some of the wires, especially the ground straps that are attached to the plastic bulb holders. Also, sometimes the contact nodes on the bulbs have a tendancy to corrode. If you know your bulbs are good, try cleaning all your connections and your dash light may disappear.

cre · 10-28-2009, 02:41 AM

Indeed. Corrosion is also indicative of a leaking seal: taillight, hatch, glass, wiper. As old as these cars are I generally just assume that all of the seals are leaking.

When you check the lighting fixture for corrosion you should also pull the middle rear trim piece and check the chassis ground point and harness connectors shown here for further signs of corrosion.

cre · 03-11-2012, 04:06 AM

Here are a few pictures I took of a good Tail Lamp Failure Module (wow, the name even kind of implies that it will cause failures)...

Click image for larger version

Name: Taillamp Failure Module_JD.jpg
Views: 1736
Size: 68.0 KB
ID: 4499

The "Jumper of DOOM" is the most common point of failure, then fractured solder unions for the harness socket, then oxidation of the harness connector and socket. Typically, I've found that a corroded harness and fractures in the solder only cause intermittent failures or lights that are just dim but with a persistent dash indicator. The jumper I've seen completely burn holes through the board and cause a complete lighting failure.

"R1" and "R2" are used to calibrate the sensor for a certain load. If you convert to LED lighting you may be able to keep the failure sensor in place by swapping these out with a different resistor (use a potentiometer to find the value, test it with a meter when you find it and then swap in a resistor for that value).

10-26-2009, 05:59 AM	#1
kaine614 Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 7	Tail/Brake Light Issues Hey guys, ive had my 89 Supra 7MGE non-turbo for about 2-3 months now and everything was and still is running smooth (with the exception of what i believe is a BHG from reading the other threads) until about 2 weeks ago i was riding at night in the rain and for whatever reason when i got back home the dash light indicating that my brake lights were not functioning properly and upon further review that was correct, i replaced all fuses in the rear and bulbs all to no success of bringing back my brake lights, ive heard one possibility of what it could be but before i mention what ive heard what does everyone here think it could be?? PLEASE HELP!!

10-28-2009, 02:08 AM	#7
Chromemoly Stock Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 20	Re: Bulb Failure Notification Sometimes (Many Times) I have found that corrosion effects some of the wires, especially the ground straps that are attached to the plastic bulb holders. Also, sometimes the contact nodes on the bulbs have a tendancy to corrode. If you know your bulbs are good, try cleaning all your connections and your dash light may disappear. __________________ 86.5 N/A to Turbo Project 88 Turbo 69 Z/28 74 Camaro LT 87 GTI 94 EX tungsten@cox.net

03-11-2012, 04:06 AM	#9
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Here are a few pictures I took of a good Tail Lamp Failure Module (wow, the name even kind of implies that it will cause failures)... The "Jumper of DOOM" is the most common point of failure, then fractured solder unions for the harness socket, then oxidation of the harness connector and socket. Typically, I've found that a corroded harness and fractures in the solder only cause intermittent failures or lights that are just dim but with a persistent dash indicator. The jumper I've seen completely burn holes through the board and cause a complete lighting failure. "R1" and "R2" are used to calibrate the sensor for a certain load. If you convert to LED lighting you may be able to keep the failure sensor in place by swapping these out with a different resistor (use a potentiometer to find the value, test it with a meter when you find it and then swap in a resistor for that value).

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dome Lights	btwilson86	MKIII FAQ	3	04-03-2011 01:05 PM
check engine light & bulb light, what?	nosuprayou	MKIII Supra	2	12-19-2009 09:15 PM
light on dash that tells you a light is out	D_Train	MKIII Supra	7	08-04-2007 05:10 PM
dome light issues	Supra2NR	Non-Generation Specific Questions	7	05-04-2006 04:06 AM
battery warning light / tail lamp failure warning light	MattJ	MKIII Supra	5	02-06-2006 07:22 PM

10-27-2009, 01:08 AM	#2
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Tail Lamp Failure Module - You have a couple options Repair/modify it OR delete it and rewire around it.

10-27-2009, 01:24 AM	#3
kaine614 Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 7	how would you suggest i rewire around it?

10-27-2009, 03:25 AM	#4
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Follow the instructions here: http://www.supramania.com/forums/sho....php?p=1409048

10-27-2009, 04:03 AM	#5
kaine614 Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 7	ill do that def. thanks i appreciate it

10-27-2009, 04:18 AM	#6
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	My recommendation would be to pull the connector out of the module's box and add jumpers to that... that way, if you ever want to return to the stock wiring you can just unplug the jumper and plug in a good module.

10-28-2009, 02:41 AM	#8
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Indeed. Corrosion is also indicative of a leaking seal: taillight, hatch, glass, wiper. As old as these cars are I generally just assume that all of the seals are leaking. When you check the lighting fixture for corrosion you should also pull the middle rear trim piece and check the chassis ground point and harness connectors shown here for further signs of corrosion.