'07 base Prius No tail lights. Disconnected 12v last week

Last night I was pulled over by a very nice officer informing me I had no tail lights. He only issued me a warning when I was totally surprised. I knew they were working before I replaced my cruise control arm last week because I had looked to check bulbs for no particular reason within the last month. The car started fine and everything seems to be working since. Today I checked and all bulbs working except tail lights. All exterior bulbs replaced 2 years ago when in for 120,000 service. I didn't find anything in manual about tail light issues after disconnecting that battery and my searches on here have not been fruitful. I may be searching incorrectly.

I was trying to get bumper cover fitting fender better so I did hit it from the side with my fist (someone rear ended me many yrs ago) so not sure if this could cause it but it never had before.

Is there something I was supposed to do that I didn't? Do they burn out when battery reconnected? The only thing I did after this was to successfully program a new key.using the chicken dance, Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

Thank you Bisco,Ed and Patrick. Weds. I bought 2 dealer bulbs replaced them yesterday morning and they lit up! The old bulbs were very burned out! I will check the sockets and grease. Went to DMV and passed their inspection.

 

Thanks again. After reading so much on Prius Chat the past few days I don't know how my poor car is still running after 157,000 miles.Most of the maintenance suggested at intervals was never suggested or done when i brought in for the services, I just figured they checked them and they were fine I will do better in future.

 

I thought that made sense but other than oil changes, and the serpentine belt and spark plugs replaced in 120000 check nothing else was done by dealer or suggested for routine maintenance. Water pump, combination cluster module, steering shaft and gas pedal all done under warranty or Extended warranty. Worried now about coolants, transmission etc. Always recorded as checked that's all. My son did my front brakes rear were fine. Will need exhaust soon.

Bought a new air filter and pcv valve yesterday to replace and will clean MAF and TB at the same time. Wonder why they didn't replace pcv when they did spark plugs. My son said about the shaking and hearing it move and I have read varying opinions on this but I am just going to do it because part was so cheap. Forgot the washer so have to go back to dealer for it. DS says it is a lock washer and couldn't find correct size at Pep Boys yesterday so will go Monday. The parts guys very friendly and gave me 20% off. My old dealer only 10%. Guess they figure we can order online now and save money.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Is their a link describing the meaning of the Vehicle Signal Monitor and any other health checks available in this great car? I never knew VSM existed. Saw it said tail on when I was checking my battery (found this on PC) which was ok. When I fixed the tail lights that says off now. Interesting! Should get the computer program to check for codes? I don't see anything showing on dash but maybe that means nothing.

Thanks to all of you very knowledgeable Prius Chat mentors trying to help us uninformed learn to treat our cars better.

 

When it is in do you thin they do a test on the fluids or just go by how they look and the levels? The colors in the reservoirs are not ant different than when it was new. But maybe the dirty looking fluids lurk inside.

I have had to be ultra vigilant with the cabin filter because mice loved my Prius almost as much as me. Not too much of an issue these days but I am always checking just in case, Thanks again.

 

Not unless a major storm is predicted. I don't garage any moving equipment because the mice like it better in a warm environment. I haven't been having any mice issues in my car for a really long time. They have nested in my lawn tractor and snow blower but less outside. Its cold. My home has more problems and traps and sorry to say poison has helped in the buildings a lot. They started the war and I have been able to limit their numbers will never get rid of them. It's a country thing in a property built in the late 1800's.

I will ask them about the fluids soon because needs another service. Thanks

 

Wish I could do that. My home has a stone foundation being built in 1879 so pretty much impossible. I can't reach an area under my porch but place two traps that seem to get the trespassers every time. I used to Havahart trap and drive them to a park until they invaded my engine's air filter and the car died on a busy interstate.. Thank God for my electric capability. It got me off the road and safely into a parking lot. I did the battery health check using the Vehicle Signal Monitor and under full load it stayed around 12.2 pretty steadily. The lowest it went in 7 mins(got distracted watching the reading) was 11.9 a few times. It as 14.3 under no load. It has been replaced with a non Toyota battery I bought online.I didn't see any evidence of chewing and have not had any other electrical issues I am aware of. Appreciate the ideas.