DIY: How To "Fix" Your Highlander Brake Lights
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- čas přidán 3. 12. 2015
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Hey all! A quickie today. My wife's Toyota Highlander was having an issue with the brake lights on the driver side. Its been happening off and on, and with inspection coming up, I had to do something about it.
After researching online for a bit, I found some ideas, and this is what I came up with. Not the best "fix"...but certainly got the job done.
Let me know if this helps you out by leaving me a comment or a thumbs up!
As always, thanks for watching and subscribing! More content coming soon!
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This was the same problem that I had with my 2002 Highlander. After replacing the bulbs, I watched the video. It was very clear and easy-to-follow. I had my passenger's side tail light working in 5 minutes! Thanks for this!
Same here just replace the socket your better off.
Noticed your posting date was 2015. You are still helping people fix this problem 5 years later. Thank you for the fix on my 2004 Highlander. So many comments make me think this was a poor design by Toyota, but it did last 16 years without problems.
Haha wow...that was 2015?!?!? Time is flying. Im so glad this one is still helping. It was one of the easiest videos that Ive made and I have gotten so many great comments. I agree with the design being a little flawed or unreliable.
A word of warning. It is very easy to drop the bulb and socket when removing it thru the small opening provided. It WILL disappear for good between the layers of metal bodywork. I suggest stuffing a rag or sponge to fill the gap to catch a dropped bulb. The sockets I found aren't readily available.
Etownster Guy I agree! I've lost two of those. I had to buy replacements
Actually it's easy to retrieve with a piece of flexible hose with some sticky putty on the end (we call it Blue-Tac in Australia) BUT usually the fall causes the filament to break, so not much point. Maybe worth a try though.
The issue isn't a lost bulb but the lost socket. I seriously doubt a rubber hose with putty will do squat.
At the time you drop it, the bulb and the socket are attached to each other. The socket is just a small plastic thing, no bigger that the bulb. It isn't really a socket, more of an adapter. And rubber hose won't work because it's too flexible. You need to use the type of hose that is bendy but still stiff. It's usually transparent, maybe acrylic?
That's exactly what happened to me. Now off to Auto Parts Store to see if they have it. I wish I would had seen your comments beforw
My 2004 Highlander's passenger side tail lights/brake lights stopped working today. A local shop said it would be $50 for troubleshooting plus any parts! I told them "NUTS" and came home. My CZcams search popped up this video. The issue was 100% what was shown in this video and fixed the problem. It was so quick and easy that I did the driver's side also. THANKS JEG,s Garage guy. Saved me a bunch of bucks. This Highlander is coming up on 180,000 miles and still going strong.
That is AWESOME to hear! Sometimes the videos that I never thought would help end up helping the most people! Im glad it got your Highlander fixed up. Thanks for the comment!
Oh man, what a savior. Got pulled over by a cop in Big Bear Lake, CA during Spring Break with the kids for non working brake lights on the left hand side like this video. Fortunately, she let us go and told us to fix it. Went to AutoZone to purchase a couple of new light bulbs for my 2006 Highlander a few days after we got back in Orange County. To my surprise, that didn't fix it. Searched on CZcams and found this video and it worked so well I needed to write a comment to thank you. Saved me some sweet coins for other things. Very cool indeed.
Glad the video helped!!
Worked like a "charm" on my 2003 Highlander. Wiggled the connector, on the lights came on, took it apart and cleaned and very slightly bent the connector contacts, and now all the lights work. Thanks, you saved me hundreds of dollars.
Glad I could help Joe! Its not a job you need to pay for thats for sure!
Thank you boss!! It took me 7 minutes to fix mine: 6 mins watching your video and 1 fixing it..
Awesome Fred! Thats the idea! Quick and easy and best of all, CHEAP!
My right brake light was out but not my left. Bulbs fine. Per your suggestion, I bent the connector harness tabs slightly to get more contact pressure when pushing the connector into the socket. All good now. Another big thank you from Arizona for your help!!!
I know you posted this comment 2 years ago but I wish i saw this sooner. Just went to auto repair and they charged $147 to "rewire" and connect the cable. You had the exact same issue as me. Better to know then never i guess
@@jewbacca0008 i have the same issue possibly, but ive tried switching the little grey socket and it works on the left one so its not the socket, i even replaced the tail light assembly, i think i might have a bad wire or something
Some kind citizen pulled up next to me today and told me my brake lights were not working. Well, I check all the other lights about yearly but not brake lights unless there happens to be someone around to assist. I went into panic fix it mode. Thought it was probably the switch, but I was also sure I knew nothing about the functioning. Hours later I stumbled upon your video, performed your test, with a board holding down the brake pedal and removing and checking connections. Got one side to work. The other needed a new bulb, which I had in the glove box. All that in time for bed. Tips were fantastic. Thanks so much.
Awesome! Glad someone was cool enough to let you know you had a problem and glad my video helped you fix it! Thanks for the comment.
Thanks, JEG's Garage! When I put the new bulb in and nothing happened, my wife who helped said she would check the internet and your video did the trick. $7.00 for two bulbs (might not have needed it) but cleaning off the metal parts of the sockets and giving the three sockets a few twists did the trick for our 2002 Highlander. Thanks again.
Glad it helped!!
Thanks so much for this video. I was struggling to to figure out what happened when I was working to add a backup camera. Had unscrewed that left hand bulb to check voltage but didn't get it back in right. Never would have guessed all the stuff that came off that connector.
Just put it back on with the 5 contacts keyed correctly and all is well.
You are a lifesaver !!
Thank you so much!!! We bought our 2003 Highlander two weeks ago and realized after a few days that the brake lights on the same side weren't working. The car lot was supposed to get us some bulbs, but today we just bought some from the parts store. They were burned out, but after replacing, we had the same issue. Found your video, went out and jiggled it and BAM, they came on. Upon shutting the rear hatch, it stopped again. I tried the turn slightly back method and now they are working! Whoo Hoo!!! You are an angel!
Hi Dawn! Thank you so much for the comment! Glad to hear that the video helped you out. Thats the whole idea :) Thanks for watching!
The slight socket twist worked for me!
I recalled having a simular issue several years ago and I now know why taking the socket out and re-inserting all of a sudden worked; probably made contact at a new twist position.
Thanks for your post JEG"s Garage
Thanks for the video. This worked great for me. I knew everything came in thru those wires but didn't quite know what to do. You were very thorough in covering all angles of this. I bought no bulbs or sockets, so cost for me = 0, or just a little time. Thanks again!!
Almost 30 years ago I faced such an issue with my Mini Miner Clubman and I resolved it the same way.
I had almost forgotten everything this morning, and I stuck in this problem since yesterday.!
You saved me.!!! 😊
I also applied some DW-40 spray to prevent future problems.
Thank you so much..👍
Worked like a charm, 2007 highlander.. Great, short, informative, and with good result. Thanks!
Excellent advice! Had the same problem with my 2003 Highlander Limited. Checked CZcams and saw your video. It worked!
Great video! I just got through fixing the same problem on my mother's highlander. when I removed the harness out of the socket, I immediately saw the green funky corrosion over the contacts; I cleaned them off with electrical wash and I was good to go.
thanks!
JEG - Thanks for the video. My “fix” was turning the backup light socket back 1/4 turn and electrical taping it in place. We’ll see how that holds up over time. Crazy times now and really appreciate how this saved us $$$ and a trip to the mechanic during these coronavirus times. Mahalo nui loa!
Glad the video helped get you on the right path at least! Thats all I could have hoped for. And yes...with the virus going around, I think lots of people have turned to doing things like this on their own instead of venturing out. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
JEG ~ Your video was spot on!! In less than 10 minutes I fixed my own brake lights!! , using a nail file and my Louisville Slugger bat (I had no 2x4's on hand). I feel like MacGyver! :D My 2003 Highlander had the exact same scenario: both brake lights on left side were out. A few months ago I giggled the wire connections & they worked, but not for long. I replaced the bulbs many times to no avail. Thank you for this great video!!
Glad it worked for you Heather! And a Louisville Slugger is better than a 2x4!!! Such a versatile tool :)
Hey bro, Thank you for this! I was having the exact same problem with my 2003 Highlander V6 as well. I followed your video and boom, had it working in 10 minutes. The connection seemed very loose to the bulb that held the wiring harness, so I reinforced with some electrical tape. Seems like it is pretty snug in place now. Thanks again for sharing this! Huge help!
Great video. I had the exact same problem but with the passenger side. With mine, the fix was temporary. The next day, no right brake light. I did end up ordering a new socket; just waiting on it to get here. Will also try bending the tabs up a little more (and inside the plug) to see if I can get better contact. You do a great job of explaining the steps in your video. thanks!
You are a genius! Thank you! My wife's Highlander was experiencing the same fault. I followed your instructions and the brake lights now work! Thank you very very much!
Glad I could help!! I always see these things on the road and probably half of them have missing brake lights. I want to make up some business cards with this video link on them to hand out haha.
Thanks for saving me a lot of money. Cleaning the contacts didn't get the lights working, but the 1/4 turn did.
Thank you for the video! It worked for me. I just had to bend the pins a little in the socket like you suggested and I was back in business.
Feb 2024 and this is still legit. 04 highlander and left brake light not illuminating. Already bought new bulbs and tail light fuse but still not working right. Just unplugged the connector from the bulb and put back in, worked like a charm. Saved myself a hundred fifty bucks. Kudos to you 🫡🫡🫡 You just earned a new follower!
Glad the video helped! Thanks for the comment sir!
Great video! Exactly the steps I needed to solve my problem of left stop lights not working. It took me less than 3 minutes to get the stop lights working again. Thank you!
Glad the video helped Mohan! Thanks for the comment!
This fix was perfect for my 2003 Highlander. I carefully followed the steps and let out a cheer, when I did the final check. Good to Go! Thank you for posting this vid.
Glad it helped Richard!
Thanks so much! I just jiggled the bulb holder as you said and the bulb worked fine.
I didn't do any bending, but I use Qtip and acetone or alcohol and wipe off all terminal contact, male or female contact. Remove the connector from bulb, input and clean them with acetone. Almost a year now it still work. Thank you very much for this informative solution JEG's Garage.
Thank you for sharing this video, it helped me solve my problem! I have had this same issue all year and have replaced the bulbs on the drivers side several times only for the situation to come up again months later. Eventually I had come to realize the bulbs weren't even burnt out and it had to be something else. This video saved me a visit to the dealer and lots of dinero, Thanks Again!!!
Hi Brenda! No problem! Glad this video is still helping people out. Now if something else goes wrong back there you will know your way around! Thanks for watching and commenting!
THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!!!!
This was driving me crazy!!!!!
I had both left and right brake lights out on my wife's highlander. I replaced the bulbs and nothing. The fuse was good and still nothing. I watched this video and moved the center bulb/ backup light and BINGO it worked (Both sides) Thanks a bunch for posting the video. I owe you a cold one !!!
Thanks Steve! Ive been accepting cold ones as payment for 15+ years now! Probably when I should have only accepted cash on more than one occasion :) Glad the video helped!
Worked perfectly on 03 Highlander, this video has likely saved many from overspending to remedy this problem- Thank You!
Glad the video helped! Thanks for the comment. That was the whole reason for making it. Plus you should feel good that you fixed it yourself!
Thanks man! This might be my same issue! I been struggling to get my right side working for ages. Glad i ran into your vid!
Had the same issue. Saved me a lot of time and money ! Great video!
That worked.Thanks so much.Would not have guessed the group of wires at one outlet fed all the other sockets unless i went out and got the manual,or watched youtube..Thanks again for taking the time to post it....
THANNNNNK YOOOOUUUUU! Worked like a charm for me. I found that I needed to bend the prongs inward vs outward progressively on a couple tries to finally get them to seat. I think it's deceiving which side of the two slots the prong seats. I think its the outer side, so bending the prong inward applies more pressure. I could be wrong. In any case that's the trick. For me it wasn't the connections that engage between the bulb housing and the tail light assembly. No amount of rotation mattered in my case.
My right hand brake lights were not working suddenly so I did the same as you (raised the contacts a little and just made sure the light was socketed tightly) and the lights came on! Thanks!
I've had this issue before, wiggled the various bulbs and suddenly the brake lights work again. Never understood why. All I did after watching your video was remove the reverse light with wire connectors and made sure they metal contacts weren't flat, wiped my finger along the contacts in the highlander, and replaced the bulb tight again. A little wiggle and the brake lights were back. I slightly wiggled the bulb casing again and the light went out. It looks like it just doesn't snap tight and a good bump in the road could cause my problem. Thanks for explaining how it works. That helps me figure out what I want to do and what I want to leave to someone else.
Thanks for the knowledge, Jeg! I have the part coming and just needed a temp fix.
*Also, thanks to the other guy who provided the part #! *
Thanks for the video. My 2003 Highlander had the same issue. I followed the instructions and totally fixed the prob! Thanks for saving me a ton of time messing with fuses, bulbs, and the dealer!
Glad I could help Jamey! Thank you for watching and for the comment!
Dude than you so much!! I have my lights checked auto repair center and quoting me $200. After I watched ur video... hold and behold!!! It was fixed!!! Total cost: &5.50 for the bulb
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had the same problem with my 2004 Highlander and watched your video a few times before I was able to troubleshoot the problem. Best video ever!
Thank you so much for posting this! Your tips were helpful and lead to success in fixing our rear light outage. Much appreciated! Have a nice day! :)
Very helpful. Thanks. Had the exact same issue. 2003 4-cylinder.
This was a big help, and we tested the brake lights with the garage door closed with room completely dark which helped as well.
Good video. I man drove next to me at a traffic stoplight and told me my rear right was not working.
I researched and found this video.
What I discovered was that turning the bulb holder a bit but not fully into the click-lock position made all the bulbs to light up when brake pedal was depressed.
However, this maneuver disabled the rear signal light on same side.
What finally worked for me was swapping the bulb holders: I moved the right one to the left, and the left one to the right.
Everything worked fine thereafter.
Yeah if you rotate it too much it can make contact with different areas of the circuit. Its a very slight turn off of seated that did it for me. Either way glad you got it working! The important thing is someone was cool enough to let you know and you were handy enough to fix it without spending a fortune :)
I know you posted this some time ago, but your video saved me some much needed cash! Thank You!
I'm glad it's still helping!! Thanks for the message!
Wonderful! first attempt and it works. Love you
Thanks for the tip. The backup light connection is the issue with my break lights. Working fine now, but may have to work on the connection again if the issue comes back up. You save me some significant time. Much thanks!
Hey Mike. Glad the video helped out some!! Even if it doesnt nail your exact problem, as long as it helps get people to the right spot and on the right thought path to fix it. Thats good enough for me! Thanks for the comment.!
Thanks for pointing me to the tail light socket. When I removed the wire harness plug, I could see two of the six pins in the socket were coated with greenish gunk while the other four pins were bright and shiny. Also, residue on the surface inside the socket around the gunked-up pins suggest the pins had been submerged in water sometime during the past 19 year life of my 2005 Highlander. I removed the gunk using a dental probe, just like cleaning plaque off teeth. There still seemed to be some burned varnish on the surface of the pins. So I sprayed some contact cleaner on a thin cloth wrapped around a tiny screwdriver and got the two pins mostly clean. I then sprayed the contact cleaner into the socket and did a few cycles of connecting and disconnecting the wire harness plug. Problem solved!
This helped a lot. I replaced the bulb on the inop R/H side; it was burned out, but replacement still didn't restore operation on that side (my typical karma). The Haynes schematic just basically shows wires from the fuse up front to the tail lights, with the only "split" at something they call a "junction box" or some such. Of course, there's no hint at where this junction might be...that's what brought me here. I suspect the convenience of all those gazintas and gazoutas at the reverse light socket might be what they meant. Of course, any of us who have spent any time as a grunt in a technical field know that engineers generally can't "write their way out of a wet paper sack" (sorry...soapbox moment). At any rate, tweaking the contacts for more robust electrical connection turned the trick here. Huzzah!
I followed your directions and also wrapped some 100 grit paper around a small stick and lightly sanded the prongs b4 giving them a slight bend. Worked like a charm, thanks!
Awesome! Glad it worked for you Jim!
Just tried your tips and it worked for me! Thanks a million!
Awesome!! Im so glad this video is still helping people out!
Thanks for the tip. I got mine to work yesterday 👍
Thanks for the video hints! I did the bent pins, but it did not work. Before buying new bulb sockets, swapped one side socket with the other. It worked! Both sockets are firmly seated without excessive juggling to get the proper connection.
Thanks for the video! Exact same problem, saved me a trip to my mechanic!
Just a jiggle of the harness fixed it for us. Thanks for posting this!
Thanks for commenting William! Im glad the video helped. Just remember it might rear its ugly head again after the jiggle. You might still need to give it a little twist. Just keep an eye on it!
Great helpful info! And the best most effective kind, short and to the point. Thanks!
Wow this is awesome, thanks for your help. I've been looking at the fuse box. You saved me time and headache.
Glad I could help!!! Thanks for the comment!
Thanks a ton! I replaced the burned out brake light bulbs on the driver side & it still wouldn't work. Then, I tried everything you said - especially wiggling the wring harness and that fixed it. Your the best! Lou DeRose
Thank You! After a frustrating couple of hours, watched your video and fixed it in 5 minutes.
Thats great! Glad the video helped! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Hours and dollars saved! Had tried the tabs on the brake light sockets with no change; but this was the key. Many thanks!
Glad it helped! Thanks for the comment!
Thank you! Going to try this on my 01 highlander tomorrow.
Great video and a simple fix. Thanks!
omg... Thank you thank you thank you. I was getting so frustrated. I bought new bulbs, new fuses changed everything and still didn't work. after watching your video I went back and pulled the connector out and put it back in turned it all the way then back a quarter way like you said and it worked!!! yeah!!! Thank you Again!
Duuude thank you sooo much!!! My sister asked me to check her car out because both brake lights stopped working and after check the fuse and bulbs I was sure it was the switch and I came across this vid by sheer accident and I'm glad I did! Just bent the contacts just a bit and both sides and badda boom, thanks again :D
Awesome Lance! Glad the video helped!
Hi Jeg,
Your youtube is wonderfull!. It solved my same problem for my 2004 highlander. A mechanic installed new light bulb for me but it didn't on.Then he replaced other 2 bulks (top and other in the same side which is new) since he thought they causes problem but not work. I drove home and do google search and found your. It worked right after checking the middle, main socket. I agree with you, it will cost bunch if bring to toyta dealer. Thank you, Thuan
Hi Thuan! Thats awesome that you were able to fix it!! Glad the video helped you out! Also glad to know you found it via google...guess its getting out there some!
It is so helpful. We had exactly same problem. Thank you.
Thanks for this video. Worked like a charm!!
Thanks for posting this video. Definitely a quick fix and a money saver!!
Yup sure is!! Thanks for watching and glad it helped!
Thanks Jeg this applies to me. For me it's a Toyota Matrix and the pressing the brake light portion stopped working - going to try some of the tips you detailed
This worked like a charm - thank you very much for uploading it
You're welcome!
It worked for me too. You saved my time and money. Thank you so much.
You are my HERO, today!! Thank You!!!
Dec. 27, 2016
Hey, Thank you for this video. I was having brake light issues and just watched your video. I did exactly what you did and Boom, brakes works now. Awesome! Thanks again.
Hi Karen! So glad the video helped. If it ever acts up again, now you know how to get in there and fiddle around with it :) Dont forget to give the video a thumbs up if you didnt already!
Nailed it! Replaced bulbs and nothing. Viewed your video, walked out and cleaned the socket and bam! They worked. Thank you for making the video!
Glad it helped!!
Perfect fix, thanks for posting this!
It worked! I just rotated the wired light socket and the lights popped on instantly. A few more wiggles to re-seat the contacts, and we're good to go! Ditto for 1 of the 2 break lights. One solo brake-bulb socket had the same issue after it got power. A few wiggles and it is fixed too. THANKS
Thank you very much. I had the same problem and used your methods. Now all my lights are working well.
Excellent John! Glad it helped!
Excellent lesson on problem root cause and dirt cheap fix. Thanks...
Dude, you're awesome! My fix was the easiest. I removed the reverse light bulb with the wire harness and put it back in and the brake lights came on...it had just come loose. Thanks!
Glad it worked! Its amazing what you can do by just digging in and wiggling some wires, right? Just keep an eye on it, maybe every few times you fill up with gas. They have a habit of wiggling back out of contact.
I followed your instructions, and It worked perfectly, thanks
Awesome David! Glad it worked for you! Thanks for watching!
Man....dude, bro...broooooo, ive been battling this problem like for a year, auto places tolded me i needed the whole assembly on both sides, 500 total to fix this. cant wait to get home and try this out!
Haha...well I hope it helps! Let me know if you are able to fix it! If it doesnt work at first, fiddle around with it some. They're really simple, nothing worth $500 back there, thats for sure.
Yesssss! I been looking for a solution without having to spend $$$$ on parts and or dealership. Thanks! This did the trick!
Glad it helped!
I was pulling my hair out trying figure out the issue, swap bulbs, swap connector and all the while it was the back up connector housing was loose. Thanks so much bud..best Xmas present!!. Funny I have the same year and model as yours and it's also the wifey who drives it...L O L
Glad the video helped!! Cant have the wives getting pulled over for this..makes us look bad :)
Thanks so much this video helped me fix my brake light!👍🏽
Glad it helped Dawn!
Greatly appreciate you and the others who tke the time and go to the trouble to make these films.
You are very welcome Patsy! Im glad to hear that its still helping people out!
Your video was a godsend. Thanks for considering that others would want to know this stuff. All I had to do was tilt up the tines on the socket, and voila! Mucho time and money saved.
+bonchancedenoel Oh Awesome!!! So glad it helped! Its really the reason I even bother putting videos up. Thanks for watching and commenting to let me know that it helped you!
Thank you, man. This helped get it solved
Same problem I had; simple solution, went on Ebay and bought replacement back up light socket/wire harness receptacle for $10, free shipping, replaced it in 2 minutes, works great.
what did you search for when you made this purchase on ebay? I tried searching "02 Toyota highlander back up light socket harness" and nothing showed up, please help! thank you!
Toyota Original OEM Tail Light Socket Plug 2001-2007 Highlander
Thank you! My exact problem and the exact fix. You are a genius.
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching and for commenting!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. All this time I just jingle the wire and it worked. I didn't have to take out the bulb but if it goes back out at least now I know what to do. Thank you sooooo much this was awesome and easy to understand.
Awesome! So glad it helped :) There is something really satisfying about fixing something like this yourself and saving yourself a couple hundred bucks. Good luck and if you have any questions let me know!
quick fix for my mother in laws 2003 Highlander...she was about to take it in...Appreciate the video...so easy
Glad the video helped!!
Ho great video! This was the issue on my 02 Highlander
Alex Ruma mine too!
You da man JEG Garage. Great straight forward video. Suggestion to use board to depress brake pedal was genius! (My wife thanks you as well!)
Glad I could help! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!
Thank you ! I had the same problem with my 2006 highlander. It works
Thanks man you just saved me some money i was having the same issue when i looked at the tabs one of them was bent like and subbed
Glad the video helped!!!
Thank you, huge help, having same issue.