Need help!! No running tail lights...

Thanks for reading...

When i turn on my headlights at night my running tail lights DO NOT light up. The brake lights, turn signals, and reverse lights all work. I have pulled and checked every fuse under the dash and under the hood, and i can not see any OBVIOUS signs of blown fuses.

Also i've noticed that the backlights for my radio and AC do not light up.

I can get my hands on a multimeter but im not not sure exactly how to use it to check the fuses...

Im thinking i blew a fuse or a relay... Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Find the fuse marked tail and replace it. It's top row third in on inside fuse box on my truck. Yours may be different.

 

Did you check the bulbs? Aren't they dual-filament ?

 

Behind your glove box is a fuse panel, find the fuse that's busted in there for the taillights, go through them all in there I had the some problem and that was the solution, I think it was a 10amp
fuse

 

I have checked it but i will replace it just to be safe. Thanks!

honestly i am not sure but they work when i press the brakes, in reverse, and the turns signals all still work while the headlights are on. Just the running lights are not on and im afraid im going to get pulled over soon.

I did not know there were 3 fuse clusters in my truck! Geez thats rediculous. I have not checked the fuses behind the glove box. Just the ones under the hood and behind the dash on the driver side.

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

Also i noticed that if i leave my headlights on they will stay on even after the truck is turned off and locked. Usually they go off... related to my other problem?

 

Fix the taillights and that will give you your answer

 

There is no fuse panel behind the glove box.

The fuse panel in the cab is behind the small box to the left of the steering wheel.

You cannot check a fuse visually and know for sure. You need either a meter or a 12 VDC test light probe.

See post # 2 for the location of the Tail fuse behind the small cubby left of the steering wheel. Replace it, 10 Ampere.

 

Ok so i checked all the fuses again and replaced the tail fuse for good measure.... no luck... Still have the same problem.

I also swapped the tail light relay and the fog light relay to see if that was the problem and the fog lights still worked. So that is not it. I need to figure out my multi-meter and test all the fuses to make sure all of them are good for sure.

I have also tried to remove the battery to reset the computer and that did not work either...

I dont want to take it to the dealership and have them rob me for swapping a fuse or relay or something.

 

Are you still under the 36/36 warranty? If so take it to the dealer and let them do their job.

Is the license Plate Lamps working?

If so it isn't the fuse.

Parking Lamps, Tail Lights and License Plate Lights all come from the same source.

 

No i have 61k on the odometer. Not sure i have not looked to see...

If i knew which bulbs were the running lights then i would check them to see if that was the problem. I cant imagine that both have burnt out at the same time.

 

Thanks for the info but my problem is that the tail lights are not on at night. all my headlights seem to be fine except that they do not turn off when the truck is locked...

 

What I am trying to tell you is that the Parking Lights in front, The Tail Lights in the rear and the License Plate Lights all come from the same source voltage.

IF the Parking Lights and License Plate Lights are working, but the Tail Lights are not then the voltage isn't your problem. You have a wiring issue with just the tail lights.

 

Blown bulb. You probably had one blown and didn't notice, then the 2nd blew too. Pull bulb and examine.

Sequence for "LIGHT NOT ON " starts like this=
1. check bulb,
2. check fuse
there goes 99% of issues. From your posting so far >>>>>>>>>>>>>> you haven't even checked the light bulb..<<<<<<<<<<<

If it's not the fuse/bulb, then check elsewhere. In trucks people invert the first two steps because it can be easier to pull a fuse than removing a taillight to check the bulb, Also because you often can't see the filaments thru the lamp housing.

Edit, just reread your post, sounds like it may be a fuse, import cars dash lights go out to let you know your taillights are not on. I had a pathfinder that did that. First check the bulbs

 

If you have a trailer connector/converter the tail light problem can be from a loose/unconnected power wire in or attached to the converter. Just experience this and probably spent four hours trying to find. Finally found someone on Toyota Nation with same issue that had fixed it by resetting the converter/connector wires. Tried it and it worked, took at least 10 minutes to fix.

 

Ok I have the same problem,so how do I reset the converter/connector wires

 

Steve,

I just went to replace a license plate bulb and now I have no tail lights, etc. The brake lights, signals, reverse still work. I must’ve blown a fuse but can’t figure out which one for sure? There’s a fuse box inside the cab too? On a 2013? I’ve only messed with the one under the hood and had no luck.

 

Behind that Lil cubby by your left knee is the fuse block. Open it and pull/lift out.
To check the fuses with a meter, set to dc volts, and put the probes across the fuse. A voltage reading indicates a blown fuse.

 

@bjmoose "My guess would be the trailer harness brake light is grounding out. You say you "unplugged it" - did you disconnect the harness fully from the right side brake light?

The other alternative would be a factory wire has somehow failed along the harness - but modern wiring harnesses are so reliable and well protected, that seems like a stretch.

You've already fully removed the taillight assembly from the truck. At this point, I'd use a multimeter to see if you're getting 12v to the brake light pin.

I'm pretty sure that the socket shares a ground between the tail light and the brake light. So it wouldn't be a failed ground or the taillight would be out too..."