Expert: Ted Ritter - 6/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: We have a 98 4runner. Over the weekend noticed the brake lights wouldn't go out. When we disconnected the brake light switch they still stayed on. After opening and closing the back hatch they worked properly. Now they won't work and we can't get it to move out of park. Tried reclosing the hatch and pumping the brakes. Is this an electrical problem and if so, what it might be? Thanks so much.

ANSWER: Have you checked the fuses, especially the "stop" and the "gauge" fuses, if the fuses blow out again let me know and also let me know if it has a trailer towing hitch and if so, is it a factory or aftermarket hitch.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply. The fuse did blow and blew again. It has a hitch, not sure which type as it was on when we bought the car used. We did some electrical work when we were trying to get some trailer lights to work about a year ago.

ANSWER: The problem is most likely caused by the trailer hitch wiring, either do it yourself or have the trailer wiring completely disconnected from the wiring harness and the problem should be solved.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My husband replaced the 3 to 2 taillight converter. It worked at first, then the same brake light problem. We've noticed also that the rear window sometimes does not work. Thanks for any advice.

Answer
There is a wiring problem still,check to make sure the problem is not the tail light assemblies, remove and check the bulb sockets, if the fuse stops blowing with the light assemblies disconnected reconnect them one at a time to see which one may have the problem, if the fuse still blows with the tail lights removed then the problem is further up. By the way, did the fuse stop blowing when the trailer electrical harness was disconnected?