Location of Tail Light Grounds? (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Sep 21, 2006
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Location
WA
Where the bloody heck is the grounding point for the rear tail lights (for my FJ62)? I thought my problems with my rear turn signals were with the master switch, but alas the mystery continues...just working out some bugs so I can start DD it!
 
White wire with the black stripe is the ground wire.
 
Thanks Tex, but where? Trying to find where did Toyota actually ground the sucker!
 
The wiring diagram show different ground for the LH and RH tail lights. The LH lights ground at a location identified as "under Left front fender" and the RH lights ground at a location identified as "under left front pillar"
 
Thanks guys. Prior to the LT1 I had put in a new alternator on the 3FE that "popped" something under the dash. I immediately lost my headlights, tail lights, and other misc things...noticed that my alternator was maxed out, smelled some smoke, and immediately got it shut down. A bad regulator. Next thing I knew, I was tearing it all out for the 350.
Anyhow, now that I've got it up and running I still have not reconciled the bloody headlights (high beams work, but the low beams do not), and the rear turn signals/running lights dont work (brakes do though). I got the interior lights working, and sensors as well. Everything else electrical is working. I had thought that maybe the master turn switch blew, but I recently bought one for $50 to no avail.
Just trying to make sure that I didnt blow the ground somehow...and trying to find this gremlin.

If anyone has any other ideas, PLEASE share! I am very anxious to get cruising, and still have my shop table full of extra goodies to bolt/weld into place! Have spent a LONG time trying to get this thing running, and the Mrs would rather just go get some vanilla SUV.
 
DLS,

I'd start with a test light at the fuse block. With the Key on the ignition position and the headlight switch on, back pin the fuses to see if there's power to your entire fuse block.

If you find there's a section of the fuse block missing power, then you can work your way back towards the battery and ignition switch.

In case you didn't know this, there's a small tab on each side of each fuse (on either side of the amp rating) where you can probe with a test light to see if the fuse is receiving power and if it's passing current as well.

Usually ground circuits don't blow out because they are after the load, reducing the current flow to a fraction of the power side of the load.

Hope this helps,

Rick
 
The wiring diagram show different ground for the LH and RH tail lights. The LH lights ground at a location identified as "under Left front fender" and the RH lights ground at a location identified as "under left front pillar"

I'm interpeting those two locations as the one I was thinking of. It's a 10mm screw on the door pillar behind the fuse block.

I sure don't have any ground connections "under" my fenders...

2mbb, what are you using as reference material? You are on top of some really good info there! I would sure like to have better info than the Haynes/Chilton crud I'm using! How do I get access to what you are using?

Rick

Rick
 
you can never have too many earths mate solder in another and connect it to the nearest bolt yo can find and see what happens this wont hurt it might even give you a better idea of what your prob could be as for the head lights do check the connector block under ignition consol there should be a red with a black ,a red with a yellow this is your high and low beams but tthey work with ground so put yor tester clip on positive,diconnect all the headlights and check yhese wires altrnatly while swithing between high and low
 
2mbb, what are you using as reference material? You are on top of some really good info there! I would sure like to have better info than the Haynes/Chilton crud I'm using! How do I get access to what you are using?

Rick

Rick

It's the electrical wiring diagrams that come as part of the 60 & 70 series body and chassis factory service manual. There's a sticky on the 70's forum with a link to a website where you can download this manual. I'm using the manual that covers 1984 to 1990. Or you can purchase one from Toyota Materials Distribution (publication number 36262E).

It's hard to read at this resolation, but the LH tail lights are grounded at grounding point a (under left front fender) and the RH tail lights are grounded at point c (under left front pillar) for the 60 series. This is a general wiring diagram that tries to cover all markets. I don't know if there are specific market variations.
taillight wiring.jpg
 
There is also a rear ground point that is part of the rear harness. It is located at the center of the rear sill, visible when under the truck, looking toward the rear. The wire harness crossing under the rear truck to go from left taillight to right taillight passes right under it and connects to the screw. 10mm hex w/ a few wire ring terminals under it.
 
Sorry for bumping an old thread but theres some good info here and i figure I would add a little.
Im dealing with the same issue with my brake lights not getting 24v (HJ61), but since all bulbs share the same ground (white/black stripe) I know its not a grounding issue as turn signals, running lights and reverse lights all work. i have to diagnose a power issue. yours may be set up differently if you have individual grounds for each bulb, but i'm going to assume there is a short or corrosion where the left/right power splits, so I need to dig deeper.
There is also a rear ground point that is part of the rear harness. It is located at the center of the rear sill, visible when under the truck, looking toward the rear. The wire harness crossing under the rear truck to go from left taillight to right taillight passes right under it and connects to the screw. 10mm hex w/ a few wire ring terminals under it.
Ive included a picture of mine, (its rhd so yours may be flipped). right behind the gas tank. you can see its pretty gunked up, so i sanded contacts and replaced the bolt. I know it wasnt the issue, but I was down there anyways.
20240621_115529.jpg
 
just tried putting in these new bush doof headlights, and all of the sudden all my rear lights isn’t working, break lights, indicator works normally but won’t turn on when I switch on.
Would anyone know what I should do, or where can I locate the connector for taillights and the inside light for the dash
 
just tried putting in these new bush doof headlights, and all of the sudden all my rear lights isn’t working, break lights, indicator works normally but won’t turn on when I switch on.
Would anyone know what I should do, or where can I locate the connector for taillights and the inside light for the dash
Was the fused at the end if anyone had the same problem
 

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