Yaris 2014 - Tail lights not working

[Drumm]

Hi! I recently had a problem with my fuel flap release cable, and I fixed it, but I think while doing that, although I tried to be extra careful not to touch anything else, I messed up some cables, as my rear lights stopped working. When I turn on the headlights at night, my rear lights are supposed to be on, but they are on only on the passenger side and not on the driver side. All the three bulbs are off. However, the light blinks on that side when I turn left and goes on when I brake. I went in there to check that all the sockets are secure, the wires seem to be connected well, no corrosion anywhere. What could be the problem? That's on a Toyota Yaris 2014.

[MikeSh]

Sounds like the driver's side cluster has lost its earth/ground connection.

[Drumm]

And how do I check / repair that? 

[MikeSh]

Generically you need to find how the cluster is earthed and check that route. There are a few ways this connection may be done, so perhaps @flash22 or someone can advise on how this particular one is done. 

A quick (?) test is to remove all* the bulbs from that cluster and check the resistance from one of the bulb holder's earth connection to the car chassis. It should be close to a dead short. Might be worth doing the 'good' side too just to make sure they are different and/or you are getting a sensible result.

* You must take all out as in this situation the power is finding its way to ground through other lamps.

[flash22]

you may have disturbed one of the connectors as there are several  plugs and sockets in that area

anything else not working, fog/reverse, rear wash wiper, etc

LHD or RHD

3 or 5 door

 

[Drumm]

29 minutes ago, flash22 said:

you may have disturbed one of the connectors as there are several  plugs and sockets in that area

anything else not working, fog/reverse, rear wash wiper, etc

LHD or RHD

3 or 5 door

 

Everything else works fine. In fact, it has been over a month since the cable repairs, and I did not notice any malfunctions. I do not have fog lights in my model, and the rear wiper works fine. It’s just the other day that someone signaled to me at a parking lot that one of my tail lights was out. I opened the flap to see what could have been disturbed, but I see no abnormalities. 

[wildtapholer]

You might not have front fog lights but you will certainly have a rear fog light.

[Drumm]

7 minutes ago, wildtapholer said:

You might not have front fog lights but you will certainly have a rear fog light.

Ok. This is from my owner's manual. I guess it is just a different name used, but I never saw it called "fog light" in the manual. I guess it would be the same as the Stop/tail and rear side marker light (2)? 

[flash22]

the rear foglight and reverse light are in the bumper

the rear cluster that is not working uses 1 ground white with a black stripe on pin 6 of the rear light

It grounds to K1 just above the rear light, you need to remove the 1/4 trim to get at it - you possibly pinched the ground wire and it has taken a while to rub through/break

[Drumm]

There is a chance it was messed up for awhile, since the repairs. I just don't drive this car often, and as it is getting darker outside, I happened to be using it at night. These photos are not my car, I got them from a YouTube video of a guy dealing with a water leak. But you can see the wiring pretty well in them.

Just before I strip my trunk, is this the wire I should be looking at in there? 

[MikeSh]

7 hours ago, wildtapholer said:

You might not have front fog lights but you will certainly have a rear fog light.

He is Other/Non-UK. His country may not mandate rear fogs, and from another recent thread it seems they are actually illegal in some places.

[Drumm]

19 minutes ago, MikeSh said:

He is Other/Non-UK. His country may not mandate rear fogs, and from another recent thread it seems they are actually illegal in some places.

I am in Canada actually (Quebec), and I have been scratching my head thinking what fog lights? My manual does not mention any except at the front for certain models. Our fogs are not as bad as in the UK I guess, so no need for those here. 😄

[flash22]

That's the one, I will double-check the wiring diagrams as it maybe a TMC built car

Edit. pulled a pic up on the CAD Yaris, no lights in the bumper like the uk/eu/jdm models just 2 reflectors