2001- 1.4 vvti fog light/reverse light issue

[sjhirst]

Hi everyone,

I've just seen this forum whilst looking for help and there seems to be a lot of good information so signed up pretty quickly!

I've had this 2001 corolla for a year now and love it, however i now have a problem with the rear reverse/fog lights

In reverse the drivers side does not light up (passenger side does) 

With fog lights on the passengers side lights up (drivers side doesn't) but they run off the same bulb?

I'm sorry but i'm pretty basic when it comes to car maintenance and was wondering if there is something i can check before a garage visit?

Any help much appreciated.

Regards,

Steve.

 

[FROSTYBALLS]

 

16 minutes ago, sjhirst said:

With fog lights on the passengers side lights up (drivers side doesn't) but they run off the same bulb?

Legally the requirement for the rear fog lights is to have one on the offside (driver's side) - some models have one fitted on each side. For example the Auris just has a rear fog light operating on the offside. As regards the quote above - do you mean they run off the same fuse?

Sometimes rear light clusters have the appearance of having two reversing lights and/or two rear fog lights, but manufacturers don't always fit the bulb holder/wiring to the offside reversing light/nearside rear fog light. Check whether you have a wired bulb holder on the offside reversing light and nearside rear fog light. If you do have a wired bulb holder in the offside reversing light/nearside rear fog light, check the bulb hasn't blown.

[sjhirst]

Hi Frostyballs,

Many thanks for the reply.  I never knew that was the case in regards to fog lights! I always thought they both had to light up.

Being in the situation it is, would it cause the car to fail its mot?  (one thing i have noticed is that when using the key buttons only the right side lights flash)

Regards,

Steve.

 

[FROSTYBALLS]

As regards the offside rear fog light, I'd check the bulb hasn't bloiwn, and just needs a new bulb. May be an MOT fail.

As regards the indicators, do they all work OK when the hazard warning switch is turned on?

 

[sjhirst]

Yes, just tried the hazard lights and all the indicators come on.

There is 2 wires going into the bulb holder by the looks of it but I'll get a better look in the morning. I've changed the bulb, but still the same issue unfortunately.

Thanks for the replies.

[oldcodger]

Only have a post 2002 wiring diagram, though would think yours is very similar, though do check for your model.

( a manual like the Haynes should help - cannot find a 2001 diagram online)

https://haynes.co.uk/catalog/car-manuals/car-repair-manuals/toyota/toyota-corolla-petrol-july-97-feb-02-p-51

Both the reversing and fog lights are totally separate circuits and each has its own fuse, the GAUGE fuse for the reversing and the TAIL fuse for the fogs.

With one bulb coming on when you do each function then it would seem the bulbs / bulb holders or wires are faulty.

Just make sure you are fitting the right type of bulb, typically a 21w single, unlike the stop/ tail with is  a dual 5w/21W

 

[alan333]

11 hours ago, sjhirst said:

In reverse the drivers side does not light up (passenger side does) 

With fog lights on the passengers side lights up (drivers side doesn't) but they run off the same bulb?

 

So both lights work on the passenger side, but neither work on the drivers side?  Check whether the bulb that works has a double filament bulb in it, if it does...try removing it and see what happens to the other side.

[sjhirst]

.Hi,

I've fitted a 12v 21w bulb in as a replacement (base ba15s 382 bulb)

either I've fitted the wrong bulb or it must be the wiring as the replacement bulb has not resolved the problem.

Thanks again folks.

I have the haynes manual on order aswell, so I can hopefully get a bit better clued up on this car.

[alan333]

Does the other side work when you take the bulb out the 'good' side?

[sjhirst]

yes, if i take the bulb out of either side, the other side still has one function

so, i have a fog light working on the drivers side (not the passengers)

and the reverse light working on the pasengers (not the drivers) very odd

It's either one or the other working.

[oldcodger]

43 minutes ago, sjhirst said:

originally  -

In reverse the drivers side does not light up (passenger side does) 

With fog lights on the passengers side lights up (drivers side doesn't) but they run off the same bulb?

 

now -

so, i have a fog light working on the drivers side (not the passengers)

and the reverse light working on the pasengers (not the drivers) very odd

It's either one or the other working.

Think your original post has confused things a bit, plus with old age comes a bit of dimness on my part 

If you have a  fog light on just  the Drivers side, as Frosty mentioned,  that is normal for the later Corolla, and possibly normal for your 2001 model ?

its just that they did not connect the all the wiring or fit a bulb in the passengers side

So are you saying its just the driver side Reversing light thats out ? irrespective as if the fog lights are on or not ?

eg  if  just the rev lights are on  then its only the passenger side lit up ?

if just the fog lights are on its only the drivers side lit up ?

Is it the same if both are fog and rev lights are on together ?

 

 

[sjhirst]

yep, that's spot on! even with them both on together.

I wonder if thats just how it is on this corolla?

To elaborate more, the car is getting some repairs done and the licence plate bulb had blown, so naturally I looked at all the lights and thought, oh bugger that doesn't look right when i tested the fog and reverse lights.

I have a list of bits for the car that has my head spinning!

[oldcodger]

Just looking on the web seems the reversing lights are not actually a mot requirement !

However I would get them working properly in case you have a potential wiring fault .

Do not rely on a visual check to tell if a bulb is ok, test it with a meter or in a known good location.

The licence plate light is a mot requirement and is often accessed on hatchbacks by a little cover plate in the hatches interior cover.

A list of bits ?   whats getting you spinning around......?    

 

[sjhirst]

It's basically all the wishbones and bushes etc showing wear and tear, plus new brakes discs and pads. I don't mind the outlay as it is an old car and beats driving the Citroen C3 I had before! It's just happened at the wrong time as I've had to fork out for heating oil, vets bill and other stuff.

Always the way isn't it!

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[oldcodger]

Expect you can get some wear after 15 year, though who has said they are worn ?   your inspection , your regular or any old garage ?

I find using the MOT testers run by your local council the best place to get an unbiased test as they cannot do repairs for non council cars or even suggest a garage.

Costs the full wack mot fee of about £54 but you know its been done right.

The wishbones come with bushes fitted so not such a big job, though if it was me, I would also fit  some new bolt on  bottom ball joints to them at the same time,

[alan333]

15 hours ago, sjhirst said:

On 3/19/2016 at 5:29 PM, sjhirst said:

In reverse the drivers side does not light up (passenger side does) 

With fog lights on the passengers side lights up (drivers side doesn't) but they run off the same bulb?

so, i have a fog light working on the drivers side (not the passengers)

and the reverse light working on the pasengers (not the drivers) very odd

It's either one or the other working.

You threw us a wobbler with your first quote, ie you said the passenger side does work, followed by the driver's side doesn't work...which means the drivers side didn't work at all (but the passenger side works twice).

What you have is perfectly normal.  The same bulb position (or the mirror image position really) within the lamp assembly is often used for different purposes, ie right side of the car for the fog and the left side for reverse.  The lens colours should match this, ie red on the right and clear on the left.

[sjhirst]

Thanks folks for all the help,just realised i had put it the wrong way round so many apologies for that! (old age again...honest!)

I have one final question then hopefully no more ear bending.....

The front and rear brake hoses need replacing but i see several different sizes- does this matter?

 

[oldcodger]

Yes, they do matter, I replaced all mine just last summer.

Cannot say if yours are exactly the same as my 2006 model, where the two rear hoses are identical, but the front hoses have a left and right version - the hose seems the same length but the fittings are orientated for left  and right.

Suggest you spray the pipe connectors with penny fluid overnight as they can be extremely hard to 'crack' apart, the rear were very difficult, so ensure you use a proper brake nut spanner to start with or you will likely round the nut straight away, that rear nut and few inches of pipe are an exposed  corrosion point as well .

I think is more a case of the threaded nut and body being different metals and they seem to form some reaction that binds them tightly together rather than simple rust.

You can get the pipes from your local toyota dealer or,  as  I did,  enter you reg no. here to get details for your car.http://brakeparts.co.uk/#!/

[sjhirst]

Brilliant, many thanks.

Regards,

Steve.