Trunk light not working?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 01:07 AM
  #1  
Decayin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 26
From: Glendale, AZ
Trunk light not working?

hey guys, I recently replaced all of my interior lights including my trunk lights.
before the swap, my trunk light was not working so I figured it was a dead bulb, swapped the bulb with a v-led bulb and still nothing.

I did a search and couldn't find any answers.. has anyone else had this issue was were able to fix it? Tired of opening my trunk at night and not being able to see a thing.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 01:59 AM
  #2  
NAMco's Avatar
Instructor
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 213
Likes: 18
Check the fuse box to see if it's blown or not.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 02:57 AM
  #3  
Elegant TYPE S's Avatar
Being an Acha Bacha in
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 127
From: Long Island, NY
After checking the obvious bulbs and fuses Also check your latching mechanism. When you pop your trunk open does your dash/MID indicate your trunk is open?
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 03:20 PM
  #4  
turbo_oxide's Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 445
Likes: 67
From: Columbus, o_hi_o
speaking of the trunk light, how do you access it? does the lense just pop off with a screwdriver like the interior dome lights or do you have to take off the liner to access like the backup/license plate lights?
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 03:29 PM
  #5  
spaceboy's Avatar
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by NAMco
Check the fuse box to see if it's blown or not.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 03:31 PM
  #6  
DeathMetal's Avatar
Fearless DIY Guy
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 376
From: Jersey 'Burbs
Did you swap the position of the bulb? You could have a dead light and an improperly installed LED bulb; they only work in one position.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 04:01 PM
  #7  
mr_raja's Avatar
Love Guru
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 274
Likes: 49
From: Germantown
Originally Posted by turbo_oxide
speaking of the trunk light, how do you access it? does the lense just pop off with a screwdriver like the interior dome lights or do you have to take off the liner to access like the backup/license plate lights?

I am just copying and pasting what I posted a couple of days in another post.

"From your right hand side, slide a small screw-driver between the plastic cover and the lining. Press it a bit, may be like about 0.25 to 0.35 of an inch, press down. There is a clip on the right side of the cover that needs to be unhooked and you will be all good to go. I used a 5 LED bulb from superbright in my 2008 TL, but I think there is enough space to fit a 9 LED or the 6 LED flank style from V-Led, without any problem."

Hope this helps.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 04:07 PM
  #8  
turbo_oxide's Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 445
Likes: 67
From: Columbus, o_hi_o
Thanks, raja! Strange, I actually found that exact post from that other thread after posting that question. Wasn't searching the right terms, i guess!
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 04:20 PM
  #9  
Decayin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 26
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally Posted by NAMco
Check the fuse box to see if it's blown or not.
How do I check this?

Originally Posted by Elegant TYPE S
After checking the obvious bulbs and fuses Also check your latching mechanism. When you pop your trunk open does your dash/MID indicate your trunk is open?
Name:  IMG_8612.jpg
Views: 4103
Size:  22.6 KB

Trunk opened.. is it the latch?

Originally Posted by DeathMetal
Did you swap the position of the bulb? You could have a dead light and an improperly installed LED bulb; they only work in one position.
I checked both positions when I installed the new LED, still dead.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 04:38 PM
  #10  
sixsixfour's Avatar
Drifting
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 213
From: CA
Originally Posted by Decayin
How do I check this?





Trunk opened.. is it the latch?



I checked both positions when I installed the new LED, still dead.
nope it should look like below:

Name:  trunk.jpg
Views: 4094
Size:  26.0 KB

your pic just has an open driver door.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 04:41 PM
  #11  
spaceboy's Avatar
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Decayin
How do I check this?





Trunk opened.. is it the latch?



I checked both positions when I installed the new LED, still dead.
Fuse box is at the footwell...time to knee down and bend over....dont forget to grab a flash light
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 04:53 PM
  #12  
Decayin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 26
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally Posted by sixsixfour
nope it should look like below:

your pic just has an open driver door.


Originally Posted by spaceboy
Fuse box is at the footwell...time to knee down and bend over....dont forget to grab a flash light
What should I do when I access the fuse box? never messed with this before, sorry.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2011 | 05:06 PM
  #13  
spaceboy's Avatar
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Decayin
What should I do when I access the fuse box? never messed with this before, sorry.

take off the cover and on the back it tells u which fuse controls what device, it's one of those 7.5A fuses....i used a fuse puller located from the fuse box in engine bay, or u can always use a plier to pull it...u can definitely tell if it's burnt or not...
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 02:39 PM
  #14  
mr_raja's Avatar
Love Guru
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 274
Likes: 49
From: Germantown
Originally Posted by sixsixfour
nope it should look like below:



your pic just has an open driver door.
You both got exact same gas level in your car.....
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 03:08 PM
  #15  
turbo_oxide's Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 445
Likes: 67
From: Columbus, o_hi_o
not to mention the dust particles are placed in exactly same spots.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 03:29 PM
  #16  
sixsixfour's Avatar
Drifting
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 213
From: CA
it only took me less than a min to ps that pic. im surprised it looked decent lol
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 03:32 PM
  #17  
Decayin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 26
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally Posted by mr_raja
You both got exact same gas level in your car.....
haha, I think he just shopped my pic.

Originally Posted by turbo_oxide
not to mention the dust particles are placed in exactly same spots.


Originally Posted by spaceboy
take off the cover and on the back it tells u which fuse controls what device, it's one of those 7.5A fuses....i used a fuse puller located from the fuse box in engine bay, or u can always use a plier to pull it...u can definitely tell if it's burnt or not...
If it is burnt.. how do I fix this issue?
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 03:50 PM
  #18  
Decayin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 26
From: Glendale, AZ
Name:  IMG_2489.jpg
Views: 4192
Size:  17.8 KB

Name:  IMG_2110.jpg
Views: 4444
Size:  28.1 KB

Name:  IMG_8827.jpg
Views: 6395
Size:  42.4 KB

Checking the fuse box for the first time.. am I missing some fuses?
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:35 PM
  #19  
vietxquangstah's Avatar
Safety Car
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,806
Likes: 767
From: DALLAS TX
Some fuses are supposed to be left blank. If you look on the back cover of the fuse box cover that you pulled off, it will have all the fuses labeled with a # and it will also show you which fuse is supposed to be missing.

Also in your engine bay is another fuse box. Inside the fuse box located in the engine bay will have a "Fuse Puller" which is a white tool that looks like plastic tweezers, if you will, which is used to pull fuses out. You will need to use that tool from the engine bay fuse box to remove fuses in the foot panel to find out which one is burnt out.

Last edited by vietxquangstah; Dec 9, 2011 at 04:38 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:55 PM
  #20  
sixsixfour's Avatar
Drifting
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 213
From: CA
this might help to ID which fuses to check:

under hood:
#22 (120A)
#15 (40A)

under dash/kick panel:
#8 (20A)
Attached Thumbnails Trunk light not working?-fuse1.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 06:16 PM
  #21  
spaceboy's Avatar
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Decayin


If it is burnt.. how do I fix this issue?
Get a new one.....pepboys...autozone or kragens...i think paid like $4 for 5 or 6 of them....
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2011 | 06:17 PM
  #22  
spaceboy's Avatar
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by vietxquangstah

Also in your engine bay is another fuse box. Inside the fuse box located in the engine bay will have a "Fuse Puller" which is a white tool that looks like plastic tweezers, if you will, which is used to pull fuses out. You will need to use that tool from the engine bay fuse box to remove fuses in the foot panel to find out which one is burnt out.

or use a small plier if u have one handy ....
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2011 | 09:39 AM
  #23  
AAPL3TLS's Avatar
10th Gear
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Does anyone has Trunk Light Fuse info on TL 2009+?
Having similar issue after trying to change the trunk light with LED.
Now no trunk light plus lost some of the interior lights for night time.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2011 | 12:08 PM
  #24  
spaceboy's Avatar
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
^^ dunno...but i think u will get ur answer in the 4G forum
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2011 | 11:03 PM
  #25  
Elegant TYPE S's Avatar
Being an Acha Bacha in
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 127
From: Long Island, NY
Its your latching mechanism. I've seen this in a few TL's already. If it was a fuse your trunk lights might not turn on but your "trunk open" indicator on your MID will show.

Go to the trunk and inspect your latching mechanism and fiddle around with it using a screw driver, there is a little piece that needs to make contact when the latch opens which completes a circuit and signals the trunk is open which results in powering up the trunk light. If you can confirm this.. then all you have to do is replace the latch. If its under warranty ... take it in.

Last edited by Elegant TYPE S; Dec 14, 2011 at 11:06 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 04:38 PM
  #26  
Shoot2Thrill's Avatar
Walk the walk
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 652
Likes: 37
From: Morristown, NJ
No current to trunk light - no reading on MID

Thank you. I did a little investigation on my broken one and concluded the same thing then searched out the thread and validated it. Makes sense that is for pin three on the latch solenoid mechanism. I cannot see the contact through the latch. Sprayed some compressed air up into it in both the latched and unlatched position. No luck. The PN is 74851-SDA-A22 for the LOCK, TRUNK (HANDLE+POWER+SWITCH) but it is around $50. Not worth $50 for the light at this point, plus because of the integration changing a lot of good hardware ie solenoid and latch plus a safety issue to make sure the internal trunk pull mechanism works after replacement. Will think about it some more.

Last edited by Shoot2Thrill; Nov 18, 2012 at 04:42 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2012 | 04:10 PM
  #27  
Timbert's Avatar
Cruisin'
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
I have the same trunk light and no dash warning on the trunk lid open problem on my 2004 TL. Fuses are good. I removed part of the trunk lid liner and can see the button on the little switch that needs to be pressed. When I press it with a screwdriver the light comes on. I can see where the metal part that is supposed to hold it down when the trunk is open is supposed to go, but it seems to rotate past that point when I imitate the latch closing and opening, and the switch opens again and the light goes off. I suspect a small piece within the latch that stops the travel when the trunk is open has broken off and the button won't stay down.

Anyone have a photo of a good latch? You don't have to take the trunk liner off, just the black plastic cover on the latch which slides right off. I'd upload a photo of mine but don't have that kind of permission.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2012 | 09:03 PM
  #28  
Timbert's Avatar
Cruisin'
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
Ok here is my post #5 which should give me permission to put up a photo shortly.
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2013 | 08:57 PM
  #29  
Shoeface's Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 309
Likes: 52
From: OP, KC
Hey OP, any luck on the trunk light? My trunk light doesn't come on when the trunk is open, but I notice the light is on just before closing the trunk.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2015 | 03:48 PM
  #30  
inACURATLy_accurate's Avatar
5th Gear
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Timbert
I have the same trunk light and no dash warning on the trunk lid open problem on my 2004 TL. Fuses are good. I removed part of the trunk lid liner and can see the button on the little switch that needs to be pressed. When I press it with a screwdriver the light comes on. I can see where the metal part that is supposed to hold it down when the trunk is open is supposed to go, but it seems to rotate past that point when I imitate the latch closing and opening, and the switch opens again and the light goes off. I suspect a small piece within the latch that stops the travel when the trunk is open has broken off and the button won't stay down.

Anyone have a photo of a good latch? You don't have to take the trunk liner off, just the black plastic cover on the latch which slides right off. I'd upload a photo of mine but don't have that kind of permission.
I hate to bring up such an old thread, but this seems to be the only instance where someone has described my problem exactly. My latch seems to be missing a piece-could someone provide a photo of a working one?

Here's what mine looks like. You can see the little white button that needs to be pushed down, but the gold latch moves past that.

Reply
Old Aug 24, 2015 | 03:08 PM
  #31  
Bob05tl's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by inACURATLy_accurate
I hate to bring up such an old thread, but this seems to be the only instance where someone has described my problem exactly. My latch seems to be missing a piece-could someone provide a photo of a working one?

Here's what mine looks like. You can see the little white button that needs to be pushed down, but the gold latch moves past that.

Not sure if you still need an answer or not, but my 05 TL did the same thing. as I investigated using your photo, I noticed a little metal tab that comes out of the left side of the the white box housing the button. This tab in mine was bent the opposite way, thus nothing was pushing the button upon opening the trunk. This also caused my MID not to register the trunk being open. I was actually able to bend it back in place and so far, so good, the light/MID is now working fine. Saved myself a solenoid (although, probably would not have spent the money).

Sorry I do not have pictures but I was not sure if it was the cause. With playing with it and trying different things, I realized that was the issue. Hope this helps...if still needed
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2016 | 06:35 PM
  #32  
netsx04's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by Shoeface
Hey OP, any luck on the trunk light? My trunk light doesn't come on when the trunk is open, but I notice the light is on just before closing the trunk.
I am having the exact issue. When I open my trunk, the open indicator on the dash quickly lights up and turns off. The light is off in the trunk, but if i slowly close it, the light comes on when the trunk is 90℅ shut. I'm guessing some wiring is getting pinched, or is damaged. What happened to your car?
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2016 | 07:29 PM
  #33  
stevenator56's Avatar
4th Gear
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
I have a similar issue. My trunk light comes on until the trunk lid is opened more than half way and then it goes out. Likewise, the indicator light on the dash comes on until the trunk lid is opened more than half way and then it too goes out. Is the root of the problem in the latch on the trunk lid itself? I can't even figure out how to get the black cover off of the latch, so I haven't been able to do any troubleshooting. Any help/advice for this novice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2017 | 01:57 PM
  #34  
Csakstar's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Sorry to revive such an old thread, but my issue is very similar to this.My trunk light doesn't come on at all, and the trunk open symbol doesn't show up on my dash at all. If anyone has a picture of what the trunk latch should look like when its working, that would be greatly appreciated.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2017 | 11:27 AM
  #35  
leedogg's Avatar
RAR
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 1,286
From: DC Metro
Ahh interesting. I was having several issues with my trunk - the trunk button and trunk light were both intermittently working (trunk wouldnt pop, light wouldnt come on) and then both pretty much stopped...I suspect these might be related now that I see the light mechanism.
I was trying to fix my trunk button issue and read that spraying the mechanism with lubricant might help. Sure enough, after I lubed it up, the button started working. I'll have to check if my light is now working reliably as well, now that the mechanism can more freely move.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2017 | 11:44 AM
  #36  
Csakstar's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by leedogg
Ahh interesting. I was having several issues with my trunk - the trunk button and trunk light were both intermittently working (trunk wouldnt pop, light wouldnt come on) and then both pretty much stopped...I suspect these might be related now that I see the light mechanism.
I was trying to fix my trunk button issue and read that spraying the mechanism with lubricant might help. Sure enough, after I lubed it up, the button started working. I'll have to check if my light is now working reliably as well, now that the mechanism can more freely move.
I wouldn't count on that fixing the trunk light issue. My trunk latch has never had an issue opening, either from the button on my remote or the button in the car.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2017 | 01:31 PM
  #37  
leedogg's Avatar
RAR
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 1,286
From: DC Metro
Originally Posted by Csakstar
I wouldn't count on that fixing the trunk light issue. My trunk latch has never had an issue opening, either from the button on my remote or the button in the car.
From looking at the pic, one can surmise that a buildup of gunk in that mechanism could lead to one or both issues. Perhaps the mechanism still opens the trunk but it doesnt go back far enough to trigger the light. I was having light issues long before the trunk button issues.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2020 | 09:21 PM
  #38  
Jonathan Carrier's Avatar
1st Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Just went thru trunk not opening situation. Spent 2 hrs trying to diagnose the problem. Found that there was no ground signal at the trunk actuator causing no light and no pop. I fashioned a temporary ground wire and it works perfectly. Will investigate where the circuit is broken at a later date
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mada51589
3G TL Problems & Fixes
80
Jan 9, 2025 04:40 PM
TLDude876
Car Talk
134
Dec 28, 2016 03:18 PM
handsom-hustla
Car Parts for Sale
70
Nov 13, 2015 05:04 PM
acurajj
Car Parts for Sale
5
Sep 19, 2015 03:47 PM
theinsvnity
2G TL Problems & Fixes
2
Sep 10, 2015 10:22 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:43 PM.