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Tag bulbs not working

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Mpdcnva, Oct 15, 2023.

  1. Mpdcnva

    Mpdcnva Member

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    Four Touring
    I searched for this but couldn’t find any insight. We bought a 2010 solar for 750 cause the dealership informed the old owner the motor was shot. Yes it needs a head gasket, but not a 8000 dollar engine. Shes a Florid Toyota serviced car for her life. She’s running great with the o ring removed. No more death rattle and will tear her down after she goes 1000 miles. But the tag lights are out. It is the only issue with the car, everything else works. Swapped the entire bulb assembly, but no go. No voltage at the wiring. Hopping someone can point me to the culprit area (ground) instead of reinventing the diagnosis. Rear wiper works. Thank you.
     
    #1 Mpdcnva, Oct 15, 2023
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Well I would hate to think it's the light switch assembly usually when this goes on in any of my cars have to pull that plastic cover to the trunk off you just rip it right off and lay it in the trunk recover any of the stupid things that stay in the car side with the little tool that you use or a flathead screwdriver put them back on the piece of plastic shove that in the car now sit on the bumper and look up at the plate lights and you'll see the wire where it runs down the so on and so forth has any of that been hit smacked? Sounds like a mint condition car but a blowed motor or blown head gasket so I wouldn't expect to see any unless it was repaired damaged that was done poorly and I think there's a fuse above the drivers left knee or something right in that area that might be marked as such of course your owner's manual will also reflect where that fuse might be but I don't think it's by itself something else shouldn't be working sounds like a great car I've done the same thing with the 2010 right now same car actually solar roof etc running fine I'm going to let it run like that until it fails once it rivals like that a couple of times you've already shook the core of the motor pretty good I wouldn't put a head gasket on mine I'll put a low mileage takeout engine and then take care of it from the point I get it put in.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Oct 15, 2023
  3. Mpdcnva

    Mpdcnva Member

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    Thanks. Their dealership told them the motor was shot, 8000 for an engine or 750 trade in value. He sold it on Craigslist for 750 without their knowledge. I had no idea I was going to a Toyota dealership. Picked it up from the dealership and the service manager looked like he wanted to kill me. (Yes a$$hole, I know what you all did to these people. Wasn’t confirmed until I got it home) Some Toyota service people are such snakes. BUT, I did the head gasket/catch can on our other California 2010 solar at 193000; another dealership Queen. Shes doing well. Doesn’t burn a drop of oil; I am assuming the 2010-2011 engines that burn were poorly maintained. Now, my high mileage gen2s LOVE oil; 1 1/2 quarts every 5000 miles. Starting to wonder if that’s why they get unreal mileage. The oil is combusting, helping the mileage.
     
    #3 Mpdcnva, Oct 15, 2023
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    It's poor piston rings especially the oil control rings in the two Z FXE it's just common but if they rattled a few times boy I don't know man I wouldn't feel good doing that unless I had that center section out in magnaflux but then the cost of that blah blah blah so there you go I just rip out the engine fit in the latest model but I can drop in there which is the Gen 4. .
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Oct 15, 2023
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Did you find the ground junction block behind the panel of the hatch It's clearly there but like I said I can't imagine You're not getting voltage there so it must be up front at the fuse box The one inside the car I think but I could be wrong consult your owner's manual for the routing and the individual fuse box used in your car for the plate light
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Oct 15, 2023
  6. Mpdcnva

    Mpdcnva Member

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    It has me stumped. Fuses look good. Tag and other lights on the same fuse. Everything works except for the tag lights. But I also just realized I was stupid; lack of sleep. I didn’t check the tag wires using a grounded negative; or check continuity for each wire. I’ll be looking at that ground block. Thanks.
     
    #6 Mpdcnva, Oct 15, 2023
  7. Mpdcnva

    Mpdcnva Member

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    I agree. I drive them 1000 miles after pulling the o ring. If she is still running good, and I beat the piss out of it for them 1000 miles. AND… Those trips usually pops the inverter, lol. Then I’ll pull the head. If the pistons line up with the deck and look good; no obvious damage? If the head and deck are true? I’ll take the 250 gamble (Toyota engine rebuild kit with bolts and washers). My theory is if the engine is going to blow up, run it till it blows. There are plenty of engines out there. Or 50000 miles later, I will rule the engine good. This is my 4th 2010 head gasket rebuild; all four were unbelievably clean engines. All are running good. All four have had free inverter rebuilds, lol. Thank you Toyota.
     
    #7 Mpdcnva, Oct 15, 2023
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