1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

The trouble with tail lights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by krmcg, Oct 27, 2013.

  1. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have a 2008 Generation II Touring Edition Prius. Someone informed me that my passenger side tail light was not working. I ordered some red LEDs to replace the suspected burned out bulb. When I opened up the trap door from the inside of the rear and when I checked on the bulb, it lit up. (Thought that it had loosened itself?)
    When my LEDs arrived, I unplugged the bulbs (right and left) and attempted to replace the old bulbs. The LEDs would not light up. And now the bulbs will not work either.
    I went to the auto parts store and bought replacement 2825 bulbs. No go.
    Is there a fuse that may have blown? Or ??? I don't have a tool to check for voltage - what is my next step?
    Thanks for the help.
     
    #1 krmcg, Oct 27, 2013
  2. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    1,686
    340
    0
    Location:
    Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Go to Radio Shack, or an auto parts store, get a cheap voltmeter, and learn how to use it. Less than $20. Knowledge gained there from.... priceless.

    That said, loose connections are a problem even for experienced DIY'S. Check that the chassis ground connection bolts are tight, just below the hatch back latch.
     
    #2 nh7o, Oct 27, 2013
    krmcg likes this.
  3. FreydNot

    FreydNot Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    210
    37
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Harbor Freight also has very cheap (in price and in quality) voltmeters.
     
    #3 FreydNot, Oct 27, 2013
    krmcg likes this.
  4. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    227
    68
    0
    Location:
    Central Florida
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Tail lights, license plate lights and parking lights are all on fuse #15 in fuse box under dash to left of steering wheel, 10 amp. If all three are out, probably fuse. For 2007 Owners Manual ppg 435-436 have fuse box(3) layouts.
     
    #4 Zedhomme, Oct 28, 2013
    krmcg likes this.
  5. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    That must be it; those are my symptoms exactly. I will get a fuse at the Toyota dealer tomorrow and give it a go!
     
    #5 krmcg, Oct 28, 2013
  6. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,103
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Any parts house will have the fuse. It will be cheaper there than at the Toyota dealer. Fuse panel is under the dash on the drivers side. Crawl under dash and look straight up. If you are limber, you can do it. I am old and arthritic, I will have to leave that kind of work to my mechanic. Good luck to you.

    fuse panel.jpg
     
    #6 dorunron, Oct 28, 2013
    krmcg likes this.
  7. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    As you promised that was very difficult. I was at my limit with the contortion, but I got it done and now the lights are back in working order!
     
    #7 krmcg, Oct 30, 2013
    Zedhomme likes this.
  8. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,103
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Glad to hear you got it sorted, and that the lights are working again.

    Thanks for the follow up.
     
    #8 dorunron, Oct 30, 2013
    krmcg likes this.
  9. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    The parts store had two types of fuses. Standard and Mini. Cheap enough, I bought both, because I was not sure which was required. Turns out that both were not "right". The Toyota fuse was smaller than the Mini (and very low profile - so much that a fuse puller could not get a bite on it). I was able to pull the bad fuse out with a small pair of dykes, and the Mini fuse fit (and worked) in the slot, but it is too tall and interferes with the cover.
     
    #9 krmcg, Oct 30, 2013
    dorunron likes this.
  10. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,103
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Goodness, that is bordering on the line of ridiculous. I do not doubt that what you are saying. It doesn't make sense that Toyota would use non standard fuses, except that it makes it harder for the DIY person to fix something. Had I known what you stated, I would have not recommended a parts house.

    Thanks for the information. I will remember this.
     
    #10 dorunron, Oct 30, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)