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Taillights, wiring harness and grounding oh my!

Discussion in 'Electrical' started by Tundy25, May 24, 2025.

  1. May 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
    #1
    Tundy25

    Tundy25 [OP] New Member

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    2012 Tundra CrewMax
    Hey guys I need some help troubleshooting. My passenger side taillight/brake light and passenger side license plate light are not working. My turn signals and backup lights work fine.
    So far I have tried replacing the taillight (LED), wiring harness and grounding, as well as checking any fuse that could be related to the problem. None of these have worked so far and I’m at a loss of what to try next. Thanks for your help!
     
  2. May 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
    #2
    Tunrod

    Tunrod New Member

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    Trans cooler, CatShield, TRD RSB, air bags, ScangaugeII, K02's, F/R Dashcam, Borla Exhaust
    I'm by no means an expert but I would check for power with a multimeter. There's a thread up in here somewhere that scared me off from going LED ... something to do with CANBUS.
     
  3. May 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
    #3
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    So it is the brake/stop, parking light, and plate light on the right/passenger side?

    Doubt it's a fuse, both sides are the same circuit.

    Brake light

    upload_2025-5-24_18-15-44.png


    Parking and plate light.
    upload_2025-5-24_18-18-29.png


    The only thing these 3 issues have is a common ground.
    But the turn signal and backup light use the same ground pin 6 of the R4 connector.

    upload_2025-5-24_18-23-52.pngupload_2025-5-24_18-25-32.png

    upload_2025-5-24_18-26-23.png

    But then I noticed this..

    upload_2025-5-24_18-28-8.png

    Are you using aftermarket tail lights or LED bulbs in OEM housings?
    I'm guessing aftermarket tail lights but not sure why the plate light isn't working, or is it an LED bulb as well?

    Did they ever work properly, or did they work and no longer work?
     
  4. May 25, 2025 at 10:04 AM
    #4
    Tundy25

    Tundy25 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you for the detailed response!

    Yes, it’s the passenger brake light, running light, and plate light.

    I bought the truck and all of the lights were already upgraded to LEDs. Both sides of the license plate lights flickered slightly when I bought it but the passenger side has since gone out completely. The LED tail lights, which come in their own housing unit, both worked fine until the passenger went out.
     
  5. May 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM
    #5
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

    Joined:
    May 4, 2016
    Member:
    #3296
    Messages:
    11,122
    First Name:
    DADA
    THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS
    Vehicle:
    2014 MGM DC SR5
    As @Tunrod suggested, I'd check the sockets/plugs with a DDM (digital multi meter).
    Check for power and proper ground.

    I'd replace both plate lights and see if that fixes the plate light issue.
    Those lights don't depend on the tail light working or not.

    You said you replaced the aftermarket tail light as well?
    It might have a bad circuit board in it..
     

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