I have few lights on my camry 98, will appreciate if someone can help or give reference for light diagnostics.

1. Brake light turns on while car is running and disappears by itself after few seconds.
2. 'R' (for reverse) lits upwhenever I turn on headlights.

 

If ABS is installed, then possible problem with ABS.

If ABS is not installed, then possible problem with the brake system (e.g. master cylinder, low brake fluid level). These are just off-the-cuff guesses.

 

Check for a pinched wire in trunk near the hinge, I've seen this cause alot of problems w/lights.
Check your brake fluid

 

my reverse lights are not working either. I used a test light and have powerat both wires coming into the bulb even when not in reverse. Any ideas on where I should start I am assuming there should not be power at both terminals without the car in reverse. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I checked the fuse #22 it was fine and both bulbs are fine.

 

I have the same problem. well the reverse light problem.
1. No lights on the trunk lid work. period. (but all bulbs good)
2. when I turn the headlights on, my dash gets really bright and the reverse light is illuminated as well as the light of the gear I am in.

what I think is happening is a wire that goes to the rear deck lid has created a connection to the dash light (maybe just the reverse light)

I checked all the wires by the left trunk hinge but all seem normal.

Is it possible 2 wires have made contact with each other behind the kick panel where the spaghetti factory is? I can hear a relay up under the dash for the headlights. could that be the problem?