Tail light issues

Hey everyone,

Been reading up on the tundras on this forum for quite some time and finally pulled the trigger. Got a 2008 with 162k miles on it. Figured it has a lot of life left in it.

Hoping to get a little help on the only issue I’ve found with it.

The passenger tail light (blinker, brake, reverse, etc) is not working at all, top right high mount bed light is not working, and the passenger front blinker is not working. Wondering if they are connected somehow. High beams and low beams work fine on both sides. All lights on left side work great. Only problems are on the right side. Is there a common ground these all share? Bulbs and fuses appear to be fine. I’m not quite sure what to do next. Is there a fuse I missed that is connected to all of those?

any help is appreciated. Hope to get this figured out and have this truck for a long time to come.

 

You can use a meter to look for +12 in those areas and to check for continuity to ground. The grounds are very unlikely to be shared between the tail lights and front blinker because the distance is so great.

I would probably start with the rear brake light since it should have a solid +12 and a solid ground going to it.

 

I checked all wiring etc at the back of the truck. I have power on left, both trailer outlets, the license plate lights, the high mount light on right side ended up being burnt bulb. The front right blinker I checked with known working bulb and still would not work. Running light works fine but not blinker. Tried again today and it worked but now a bigger problem.

As of yesterday the truck was running fine before I started testing. After testing it just clicked when I tried to start. I charged the battery a bit and the booster said bad battery. Gave it a little more boost to get me by. Went out this morning and would just click once and then quit. Wouldn’t do a click click click etc. Just one click and done.

I thought maybe battery finally gave up so put the new one in. Same result. Tried tapping starter etc and nothing.

Finally last ditch effort I went to the truck and changed only other thing I had before, the tilt on the steering wheel. Went all the way back to the up position and it fired right up but with all sorts of lights on (traction control, vsc, check engine, etc). Took straight off to have codes read and he said there were about 10 active codes regarding the camshaft position and other engine faults. Parked the truck in their lot and had the Mrs. pick me up.

Out of curiosity tried to start the truck again. First 2 times it started perfect but with the same warning lights on. 3rd, 4th, 5th time perfect with no codes.

Is it possible the starting issue and other electrical issues are connected somewhere in the column steering column? All lights but back right lamp work now, no power there. Truck is starting fine now but wondering what made it not start...