So, I'm having the same issues as the person who posted the other thread with my '88 ST... I don't have working running lights, tail lights, or marker lights. I've checked the fuse, replaced the relay, checked/replaced many of the bulbs on the car, and my dad was checking continuity on the headlight switch earlier today. The weird thing was that we had fine continuity on connector positions 20 and 22, but not on 23 (with the switch in the proper location for each). Contact 23 is the headlight wire though, and I know that I've had working headlights on the car. I'm wondering if the light failure sensor could be faulty. I've been told on another forum that the entire circuit will shut down if there is a burnt out bulb. Is this true? Or is there a warning light on the dash? Also, where is the sensor located? My dad took out the console to clean it and found a 4 position connector under the console that didn't have anything plugged into it. Is the fuse for that circuit only supposed to have power when the switch is on? Or should it have power at all times the ignition is on like the rest of the fuses in the driver's side kick panel block? I have noticed that one of the break lights burns the dimmer of the two filaments with the brakes engaged. You can't install those bulbs backwards, so I am thinking that the wiring is backwards for the bulb. Could this be causing a fault in the tail light circuit since it is trying to light the bigger filament of the bulb? Someone mentioned that when the sensor sees lower resistance (provided by the larger wire in the brake filament) that it will cause an error. Any other ideas? I'm still not 100% sure if my headlight switch is an issue, it might be the culprit here. Maybe I have another burnt out bulb somewhere on the car. I really need to be able to get this car inspected and back on the road. If anyone does have a switch that they can sell me let me know since I'm potentially in the market for one.
The celica's do have a sensor box that will detect if a bulb is dead and it will display a warning in the dash lower left hand corner. I think its a picture of a headlight. As far as I know the entire system will not shut down for a burnt out bulb. I had a burnt out center break light (the one mounted in the hatch) and so I got the dash warning but everything else still worked fine. When I get home tommorrow I'll check the manual and see if there are any tests for the sensor box.
I might have an extra switch but I would need to know if its a hatchback or a coupe, but lets diagnose the problem first. So I take it you allready checked through this post No Brake running / Instrument cluster lights
Yes, I have been through the other thread... for the most part. My car is about 2 hours away from me at home right now. I'm in college at NC State. My dad is probably going to daily drive the car until I can get together the parts/money for a 3sgte swap. So he's been working on the car while I've been at school. My best guess is that it is the switch (at least I hope). I'm planning on going home next weekend so that I can get my hands on the car and see what's going on for myself. I think my dad is going to try to connect the terminals on the car side of the column harness connector to see if the circuit will work at all without the switch. I'll let you know what happens. BTW it is a coupe model.
Well I do have an extra coupe switch if needed and it works perfectly as it is currently in my trac but it does not have the control for the rear wiper....I'm just to lazy to change it for the proper one. You are doing what I would try. Apply 12v to the car side of the harness and see if the correct things light up.
^ PM sent. I'm now 90% sure that it is the switch. I found out that the lights work, the relay just isn't getting the signal that it needs from the switch. I also determined that the switch doesn't have a working contact by using my continuity tester. Lemme know how much you want for that switch and we'll go from there. Thanks
