FJ40 Electrics

Submitted: Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 19:18

ThreadID: 17480 Views:1976 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

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fateddie54

Hi all, was driving home in my shorty yesterday when i noticed that whenever i applied the brakes, energising rear brake lights, my parking lamp circuit was switching on, including dash lighting. The old girl has never done it before, was wondering if any of the electical (or other) gurus out there may have any light to shed on the situation. Hope all are having a safe trip home from Robe.
Thanks.

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Reply By: Utemad - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 19:39

Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 19:39

Do you have dual filament brake/tail light bulbs?

A friend of mine had this happen in his 60 Series Cruiser (could happen to any car) and replaced a dual filament bulb with a single filament bulb thus shorting out the brake/tail light circuits. So whenever one circuit was swithed on he was effectively switching both circuits on.

Have also seen things come loose in the tail lights and shorting out the contacts having the same effect.

Could also be shorted out trailer light wiring. Check the cable and the socket for shorts.

AnswerID: 82596

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 20:22

Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 20:22

Yep, I'd say Utemad's got in 1 there. Some kind of short that's backfeeding the parker circut with the 12v from the brake circut. Some contact cleaner and a small screwdriver in the brake lights get any gunk out. But I'd say the more likley problem would be a trailer plug if you have one, as they usually fill up with crap and just generally get hammered.

FollowupID: 341648

Reply By: fateddie54 - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 20:51

Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 20:51

yep, thought there would be some brains out there that could help! Thanks for the prompt replies, i'll suss them out in the daylight.
Cheers.

AnswerID: 82616

Reply By: fateddie54 - Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 09:58

Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 09:58

Checked it out this morning, one of the filaments in the brake bulb had shorted onto the other! It was nice of Toyota to build in a brake light failure circuit wasnt it? ;-)
Thanks again.

AnswerID: 82703