6thGenMax

Hi

My dad has a 1993 LS and we are having problems with the rear tail lights. when the lights are on all the lights work but when you apply the brakes the lights will turn off including the liscense plate lights. So only the brake lights show but if you open the trunk probably about half way then all the lights come back on and work again.

Have any of you guys on here exprienced this? Is there a solution to this problem? Any suggestions will help.

Thanks in advance

NewLSlover

Is your reverse light in your instrumental panel on when you apply the brakes? This is a common problem of 1st gen's. If you search the LS forum you'll find out that there's some wires in the trunk that get pinched or broken by the driver side trunk hinge. I'd be willing to bet if you check them you'll find a wire in ****ty condition.

6thGenMax

the reverse light does come on. i didnt find any threads on it. are you talking about the wires behind the lining?

CUMan

The wires the previous poster was referring to are part of a wiring harness which is attached to the driver side trunk hinge. Cut or pull the harness free from the hinge and remove some of the electrical tape which is wrapped around the harness. Then check the individual wires to determine if one or more of them is broken.

You can repair the broken wire(s) by splicing a short length of new wire into the area where the break was.

This problem apparently occurs because some of the wires are too short. Over the years, the opening and closing of the trunk eventually causes some of them to break.

The most common broken wire is white with a black stripe.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

check the wiring harness on the trunk hinges, sometimes the wires crimp and cut over time and cause many wierd things to happen.

Pagong

You should see mine, its like a disco light when I hit the brakes.. LOL

NewLSlover

HAHAHA^...that's some funny ****, I can actually picture that..

And thanks PD & CUman for adding on...I'll bet that's what his problem is.

Lexushead

Rear light bulbs are out or not making contact. Replace your rear light bulbs will fix it. Here's what I did with mine. I re-melt the solder on the back of the bulbs and re-install.

NewLSlover

^That's not the problem if his reverse light is coming on when he hits the brake. This is a common thing that happens in the 1st gens with the wiring loom in the trunk under the driver's side hinge.

6thGenMax

Thank you all for the replies and help. I got it fixed

NewLSlover

^Great to hear man...I love this place, forreal. Between CL & Lexls.com I've saved at least 1500$ in my past few months as a LS owner.

Lexushead

Thanks, It must be ESP. My wife called me and told me she has the same problem. Sure enough, the white and black wire was broken.

NewLSlover

^Yea, this seems to be a forever reocurring problem...at least we know how to handle it now, rather than take it to the dealer and let them tell us we need a new tranny or some ****..lol

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

lol last time i went to a lexus dealer (for parts) i told the guy i needed a TB gasket for an LS400 and he came back with one for an ES and when i said something he looked hopelessly confused and said "u dont look like the kind of person whod drive an LS"

must be the age