2000 camry tail light problem
 

My camry tail light quit working.
I found the wires connect to tail light assemble in trunk was cut for unknown reason and the light warning indicator is on. I reconnected all the wires, then the light warning indicator is off. But the tail light does not work. The turning lights and break lights work. Please help.

TMF

Check the tail, turn, hazard and stop fuses.

Do you mean that it's a combined tail/brake light? If so you'll get it in Halfords or any decent motor factors. Take the old one in with you to be sure of getting the right one.


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Oil may be too thin for a car that age, or they just overfilled it or the breather is blocked

Park/neutral position switch
 

Thanks a lot, Joey P. I found the fuse and fixed the light problem.
But I caused another problem. I put some DW 40 to the shift gear, because it was sticky. But it caused problem that: when I step on the break, the R light is on, and the car makes significant noise. Then the light failure light is on and check engine light is on. I went Autozone to find the error code, it was found out the :" park/neutral position switch malfunction". I assume that the DW 40 caused the switch shorted or malfunctioned. Would you folks teach me how to open the cover up to reach the Park/Neutral Position switch? And would you please advise me if my assumption make sense. Thanks a lot for any help and advice. TMF

I don't think the switch is designed to be opened thus on your own.

Pick up a spray can of CRC electrical contact cleaner or similar. Check auto parts stores, Walmart, Fry's, etc. You want a cleaner only product, not cleaner and lube.

Flush out the WD-40 with the CRC. Have someone move the shifter from Park to low and back as you do this. Use the shifter lock out button override so no need to turn on the ign key.

Electronic cleaner
 

Thanks so much,Joey P! I will try it.

TMF

Park/neutral position switch
 

I brought ECC and sprayed through the gap. The R light is still on when I step on the break, the noise seems lower but it did not totally disappear. The check engine light is still on. What is your advice? More ECC wash?

Thanks in advance.

TMF

Where is the noise coming from, brakes, does this car have ABS brakes?

Given the switch is $200+ suggest if up to it, take it apart and clean it. The Toyotanation site has a great post on doing this for an earlier model Camry. Take note about using the special grease. Cleaning is worth a try for this kind of money.

Removing and cleaning the Neutral Start Switch - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Cleaning or replacing the switch may solve the problems or there could be more the one issue. However given the trouble code is for the switch you need to fix it one way or another.

Nutural switch mulfunction error etc
 

Hi Joey P,

The car has ABS system. I don't know where exactly the noise come from, as I step on the break hard, there is vibration and noise comes with it. But it step on break gently, it is OK. For both case, R light is lit is unusal.

It happend after I sprayed DW 40 on the gap of shifter.
If you need more detailed information, I can take a picture where I spary the DW 40.

Thanks so much for your help.

TMF

Photos would help.

Does the steering wheel vibrate?

Is the noise a squeal perhaps from tire area. A growl?

When the brakes are applied does one brake feel like it is grabbing more then others.

Hi toyomoho,

Does the steering wheel vibrate? No

Is the noise a squeal perhaps from tire area. A growl? A: more like growl.

When the brakes are applied does one brake feel like it is grabbing more then others. A: Sounds like.

Check engine error code: 1780.

The attached picture show where I spray the DW 40 and ECC liquid.

Your advise is greately appreciated!Attachment 2884
All the best,

Joey P: please advise
 

Dear Joey P,

Does the steering wheel vibrate? No

Is the noise a squeal perhaps from tire area. A growl? A: more like growl.

When the brakes are applied does one brake feel like it is grabbing more then others. A: Sounds like.

Check engine error code: 1780.

The attached picture show where I spray the DW 40 and ECC liquid.

Your advise is greately appreciated!tmf.jpg
All the best,

TMF

The car may have more then one problem and these problems may be unrelated.

The P1780 code references an electrical short or other problem with the park/neutral switch. The park/neutral switch detects the position of the gear selector arm in the car (P through L) and sends a single to the computer as to which gear is selected.

The switch is located in the engine compartment. The photo in the post is of the gear selector arm inside the car. There are no components in the area of gear selector arm thus do not spray cleaner in this area.

The park/neutral switch is mounted on the transmission. With the emergency brake on, hood open, foot on brake and ign key to ON, have someone move the gear shift lever back and forth between P to L.

Watch the side of the transmission facing the radiator for movement of a lever attached to the transmission. There will be a cable connected to the lever. Behind this lever is the park/neutral switch.

Don't leave the ign switch on for more then 10 seconds at a time. After 10 seconds turn the ign switch off for a few minutes.

The is a link in one of the past post for this thread on how to remove and clean the part/neutral switch. Review this link.

If your going to spray the cleaner, do so into the park/neutral switch located above not the shift arm inside the car.

The brake growl may not be related to the part/neutral switch issue. It could be a problem with the brake pads. Remove the tire on the side that makes the noise and inspect the pads for excess or unusual wear and brake rotor for scoring.