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Loose Wire in the Hatch

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by TonyPSchaefer, Feb 26, 2009.

  1. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    A few months ago, I had an out tail light. When I got back there and started digging around, I found that it was okay.

    This evening - the darkest, rainiest, foggiest night we've had in a very long time - a guy stopped beside me at a stop light, rolled down his window (in the rain, mind you) and said, "you have no tail lights!" I pumped my brakes a few times. "You're brakes lights are fine; you have no tail lights!"

    I drove the remaining ten or so miles home and parked in the garage, left it running and walked around back. Sure enough, the only light was the left license plate light. Just for the Hell of it, I opened the hatch and slammed it shut. *pop* All the lights came on! I opened and shut it a few times and at least they didn't go out again.

    So which wire is out. I mean, literally. Which wire, exactly at what spot, how do I get to it, and how do I fix it? Of course I'm kidding. But if you have any thoughts on where something might have come loose, I'd love to hear them. Keep in mind that the left plate light was still on (for some reason).
     
  2. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Do you have access to TechInfo? Or an All Data subscription? Time to peel off the rear interior trim and start digging around

    If I had to throw out a WAG, either a loose/corroded connector that is common to the rear tail lights, or a loose/corroded ground wire that is common to the rear tail lights

    If you don't mind waiting till tomorrow, I can snoop around my All Data a bit and figure out a starting point for you.

    Just thank your lucky stars this doesn't involve BACNet.

    Ok, sorry about the cheap shot there
     
  3. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    The first place I'd check is the bulbs. Yes, I know they work, but sometimes the sockets get corroded. Shining them up with sandpaper should restore the current flow. If that wasn't it, you'll just have to keep going. But if you start with the wires, Murphy's Law guarantees it's the bulbs. ;)
     
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Wait 'til tomorrow. You're funny, Jay. I'm not planning on digging into this thing until it's warm outside. Here in Chicagoland, that'll be around July.

    I was thinking of throwing WireShark packet sniffer on the wire and decoding the broadcast messages to see if there's an errant event enrollment or some misbehaving BBMDs.

    Failing that, yeah, I'll have to dig around the inner trim. What really stinks is that there's no way to know whether they are on or not when you're driving.
     
  5. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    We have a 96 Avalon that lost all its turn signal lights. I failed to see if the emergency lights blinked or not but checked all the bulbs, replaced them, checked the center ground pin in the sockets to ground and all measure fine. No blown fuses. Took it in, they found one of the socket's spring blade that makes contact with the outer jacket of the bulb was not making contact. At least that is what they claimed and ordered the replacement socket but refused their exorbitant installation cost. It the light worked when I brought it home and waited for the part; emergency lights worked as well. Part came, replaced in 5 minutes. No problem since. My only still outstanding question in my mind is that if one socket didn't make contact, why all failed to work? When I take a bulb out, one side works normally and the other speeds up.

    So, You may want to check the sockets of the affected bulbs.
     
  6. sparkyAZ

    sparkyAZ übergeek

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    For a car as advanced as the Prius it's amazing there is not some warning indicator when one of the external lights goes out.
    My tail lights do this periodically and I have checked the bulbs, connectors, contacts, and wiring to no avail.

    A few months ago I was pulled over while driving home. When the officer told me my tail light was out, I asked to get out, smacked the lens and it came back on. He sent me on my way.
     
  7. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Hi Tony, just read the post, I dug out the service manual. On the 2004 In the tail there is one feed that feeds the left and right license plate light and right Tail Light. It is a brown wire, that goes to a junction connector, which is where I think you have the problem, from the J Block 3 brown wires distribute to the right Tail Light and the plate lights. the ground side of these 3 lights are wht/blk in color..At the other end, the +12 supply side, the brown wire runs to the Engine Junction Block which also feed the left tail light and the front marker lamps. the hot side is brown and gnd side are wht/blk they are feed thru a 7.5 amp fuse. If your front markers are out at the same time, its the fuse block that has a problem. If not then I would look at the Tail Junction connector.
    The Grn/Wht wires in this block are for the Stop Lights, and the Red/Black are for the Backups. I can not give you an exact location of the Junction Block, but if you pull off the back plastic in the tire well, it will expose the bundle and you can trace it to the Block.

    Good Luck. Let us know what you come up with!
     
  8. Skwyre7

    Skwyre7 What's the catch?

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    I had a similar problem with my left taillight. I temporarily fixed it two ways: 1) smacking the light housing, and if that didn't work 2) wiggling the wires around inside the hatch. Luckily is was only the left taillight. I never did get it working all the time.
     
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Tony, were you driving really fast? Maybe the electrons couldn't catch up with you. After you stopped for a bit, they were able to catch up and light the bulbs.

    Tom
     
  10. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    If I had to wait until things warmed up to work on a vehicle, I could only work on my vehicles over a 3 day stretch in August.

    Some of us have a heated attached garage for a good reason

    "Hmmm, feel a draft while under the FJ, better crank up the Reznor a bit"

    Too funny. BACNet = bleah

    You could always get one of those mobile surveillance systems with flash memory, and have a couple of hidden cameras attached to the tail light housing. SHouldn't set you back more than $1,200.

    Failing that, ask your neighborhood meth-mouth pimp-n-daddy crack dealer if he'd be willing to lend you his surveillance system for a few days
     
  11. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    It's now official, you have all the warning signs of Cabin Fever

    :smow:
     
  12. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    Tony this is an easy fix. You forgot to fill up the lighting fluid. ( NOTE. DO NOT BUY LIGHTER FLUID! IT WILL EXPLODE! BUY LIGHTING FLUID! ) Once you fill up the lighting fluid reservoir leave the lights on for a few minutes to get the electrons moving. You should be OK for another 50k miles.
     
  13. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Lighting fluid must be what they use inside of fluorescent lamps.

    Fluorescent lamps get their efficiency by working as dark suckers instead of light sources. It is very much analogous to how heat pumps work. Instead of spending all of that energy making light, fluorescent lamps simply remove the dark, leaving behind residual light. It is quite a bit more efficient as long as there is sufficient residual light. If you try to use them in a really dark setting, such as inside of a cave, the efficiency falls off dramatically.

    ;)

    Tom
     
  14. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    OK, Tony. I've been reading this thread now, just biding my time. But I can't take it anymore.

    Loose Wire in the Hatch? It's code isn't it? What does it really mean, Tony?

    You're not even 40 yet, are you? Loose Wire in the Hatch --- Nah, you've got years to go before that sets in.
     
  15. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    "A couple of lights out in the old marquee."

    "A few cans short of a six pack."

    "Not the sharpest tool in the shed."

    "Loose Wire in the Hatch."
     
  16. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    You guys are too funny.
    Jon, I checked the lighting fluid. Duh! Do you really think that wasn't the first thing I checked. I check the lighting fluid at the same time I change my oil, check my tire pressure, electron tank, and washer fluid.

    And no, there's no secret code. When I said "loose wire in hatch" I meant exactly that: there's no ice cream in my freezer.
     
  17. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    Hey, that is a good one, never thought of that cause.;):D
     
  18. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi Tony,

    Do not forget to check grounds, and ground straps. And you should do it today - its not too cold, although its a bit humid which makes it feel colder. I was just out for a 1hr 45 min walk - balmy! Wear mittens till your body adjusts to the cold. Works for me.
     
  19. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Tony

    As a concerned friend and colleague, I have to disagree here. In all seriousness ..... baaaaaaaaaaaa

    jay
     
  20. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    See! I knew it. That's code right there. That's code!