Rear Light Cluster - Wiring Connector Unit

[regiom 2]

Hi All,

On my October 2009 Auris 1.6, my rear drivers side brake light stopped working three weeks ago, new bulb fitted, still not working.  Local garage took a look, identified a corroded connector into which the various bulb wires from the light cluster go.  Having removed wires from the connector, none of the lights in that cluster are now working.

I'm told that a new connector is required.  It's a small white plastic rectangular thing, looks like it's worth peanuts.  The garage couldn't find a replacement from its usual sources so checked direct with the Toyota main dealer.  Toyota informed them that said part was not availably separately and was only available as part of a new wiring harness for the entire right hand side electrics of the car, costing the best part of £800 plus labour, so total cost of probably £1200 or so (more than the cars value!).

I checked independently with the Toyota dealer and these prices were confirmed.  So clearly the part is still being manufactured but will only be supplied as part of the entire wiring harness at an extortionate price.  I requested a product number for the required connector in the hope of tracking it down elsewhere but the dealer claims they cannot release this information, which is infuriating.

My garage have tried various breakers yards and eBay for the connector but with no success yet.  They reckon a temporary fix such as soldering of wires (which I saw mentioned on a previous post on this forum) would not work.  Does anybody have any ideas?  A product number would be helpful, since I've seen one or two Japanese websites that appear to have huge selections of suitable Toyota electrical parts - but without a product number, I'd be shooting in the dark.

Unfortunately I know the best part of nothing about car electrics but I find the whole situation very annoying.  Apologies for the long post but any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[furtula]

So it's the plastic holder that holds the connector, that plugs into the light cluster, is what you are having issues with?

Usually parts are sold with connectors in them, wires cut off.

Is your car pre facelit? Because from eBay i see pre facelift has 1 connector, but post facelift seems to have separate connector for each bulb.

On eBay i checked few ads, and the used rear light clusters are sold with the connector, just wires cut off. So for maybe 50 GBP you get your part.

 

[FROSTYBALLS]

An October 2009 Auris would be pre-facelift - the facelift was launched in February 2010.

[flash22]

Any pictures ? If it's just corrosion, it can be cleaned up or repaired, no need to touch the loom

where are you located ??

I can look up the connector parts no issue, but i need pictures, LHD or RHD ?

[regiom 2]

2 hours ago, furtula said:

So it's the plastic holder that holds the connector, that plugs into the light cluster, is what you are having issues with?

Usually parts are sold with connectors in them, wires cut off.

Is your car pre facelit? Because from ebay i see pre facelift has 1 connector, but post facelift seems to have separate connector for each bulb.

On ebay i checked few ads, and the used rear light clusters are sold with the connector, just wires cut off. So for maybe 50 GBP you get your part.

 

Thanks furtula, yes I believe it's the plastic holder.  As frostyballs says, I believe the car is pre-facelift.  Are you able to send me a link to what you've seen on eBay?

[regiom 2]

1 hour ago, flash22 said:

Any pictures ? If it's just corrosion, it can be cleaned up or repaired, no need to touch the loom

where are you located ??

I can look up the connector parts no issue, but i need pictures, LHD or RHD ?

Thanks flash22, I've asked my garage to send me a photo of the defective connector they removed from the car.

The car is RHD, I'm located in the Isle of Man.

[furtula]

Here's the one i mentioned >> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185201969805?hash=item2b1ee5ca8d:g:b~YAAOSwdTZhriaW

As you can see, it has the connectors on it already, and even the white one i presume you are talking about.

Not to advertise the seller, it's just as FYI, and was one of the cheaper ones too.

But as flash22 said, i'm pretty sure contact can be cleaned. There are contact cleaners, and small wire brushes available, or just soak it up in vinegar or some stronger acid which should clean up, but wont damage the plastic.

I'd keep the car Battery disconnected while doing this, in case of soaking that is.

[regiom 2]

17 minutes ago, furtula said:

Here's the one i mentioned >> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185201969805?hash=item2b1ee5ca8d:g:b~YAAOSwdTZhriaW

As you can see, it has the connectors on it already, and even the white one i presume you are talking about.

Not to advertise the seller, it's just as FYI, and was one of the cheaper ones too.

Thanks again furtula, much appreciated.  It's good to have this as an option if I can't source the precise part.

[furtula]

You seem adamant to replacing the part.

I'd like to remind you that the part itself is plastic, and just holds wires and pins.

So replacing it will probably mean cutting the old connector and splicing the wires to the wires of the new one, which means you have to do some soldering anyway. 

You mentioned the garage took the original connector apart, if it's still in functional  order, not broken apart, that is, and wires are cleaned up, i can send you a picture of the connector, and you can reassemble the wires.

 

 

 

 

[regiom 2]

8 minutes ago, furtula said:

You seem adamant to replacing the part.

I'd like to remind you that the part itself is plastic, and just holds wires and pins.

So replacing it will probably mean cutting the old connector and splicing the wires to the wires of the new one, which means you have to do some soldering anyway. 

You mentioned the garage took the original connector apart, if it's still in functional  order, not broken apart, that is, and wires are cleaned up, i can send you a picture of the connector, and you can reassemble the wires.

 

 

 

 

Thanks furtula, noted.  My knowledge of these matters is minimal, I'm afraid.  Hopefully, if the garage can send me a photo of the defective part, things may become clearer.

[flash22]

iirc the rear lights use an IDC connector, so the pins are part of the housing it  should be available on its own but i will have to look it up

[flash22]

There are 2 plug types, the more common one is a 9 pin

 

90980-12517

£7-8+ from a dealer

[regiom 2]

1 hour ago, flash22 said:

There are 2 plug types, the more common one is a 9 pin

 

90980-12517

£7-8+ from a dealer

Thanks flash22, I'll look into it.

[regiom 2]

Just an update, my garage handed me the problem connector, it looks very much like the item diagram posted by flash22 (Part No. 90980-12517).  I've attached a photo below.

The garage looked at the eBay listing posted by furtula but said the light cluster did not contain the connector, which apparently is located further along the loom?

So assuming the part number is correct, the question is where can I find one?  Toyota are adamant that they're no longer in production.  A search of Toyota parts specialists online was unsuccessful.  Thought I'd found one in Dubai of all places but after placing order was told they were "out of supply".

Anybody have any ideas or will I have to resort to trawling through breakers yards?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[flash22]

ah this is factory connector for the trailer wiring, this female plugs into a male

you can just remove the connectors and join the wires , If you want the plug find an Auris or an Aygo (mk 1 rear light connector)

give me a while and i will find some more info for you

[flash22]

All i can suggest is replacing the male and female connectors if you can't get anything else, i have 8 pin Sumitomo (oem for toyota) crimp terminal connectors matching male and females

[regiom 2]

6 hours ago, flash22 said:

ah this is factory connector for the trailer wiring, this female plugs into a male

you can just remove the connectors and join the wires , If you want the plug find an Auris or an Aygo (mk 1 rear light connector)

give me a while and i will find some more info for you

Thanks flash22, so it's possible just to remove the connectors and join the wires?  Plug not essential?  I asked my garage if there was a "work-around" fix and was advised not possible.  Forgive my ignorance here but is it a complicated procedure or should I be seeking out a specialist auto electrician?

[tavy]

Yeap, find a skilled electrician, it's a very simple job.

[flash22]

As above, it's not rocket surgery if you can't find an auto electrician a car alarm/audio guy will be able to sort it

if it is the M/F connector i linked to, it shouldn't be too difficult

[regiom 2]

Thanks guys, appreciated.  I'll update when resolved.

[Tiff101]

Hi regiom 2, just wondering if you fixed this? I am happy the same issue and Have been told that I need to replace the entire wiring look at a cost of £1500+