Help 91 Ls 400 Tail Light Problem

[BillyC]

I haven't had time to trouble shoot this yet, but here is what happened tonight. When I started up I noticed that the "tail light out" symbol on the dash display was on. Then I noticed that each time I put on the brakes, the reverse gear position light on the dash display came on. Later while driving, I determined that each time I apply the brakes, the transmission shifts out of overdrive! Has anyone had this problem before? Any idea what is going on?

Thanks,

BillyC

91LS400

[1990LS400]

The solution to fixing the broken wire in the left trunk hinge is at --> http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...t=1294&hl=hinge

If this link doesn't work, search this forum for "hinge".

The same thing happened to my 90 LS last summer.

[VBdenny]

I agree. I saw this mentioned in several threads in the past. Apparently Lexus made the wire slightly too short and it breaks where it bends. From what I remember reading, it is fairly easy to fix. Luckily, I saved the info. Here it is

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Hey Hoffmnjp

Im about a week late on your post I dont know if you have fixed it yet but if not heres your fix.

You do have a bad ground.

Very common in early LS's.

Open the trunk on the drivers side trunk hinge (curved bar attaching trunk to car)there is a black plastic piece running the length of the hinge protecting a small wiring harness that runs through the trunk hinge.

Pull that down and out of the way.Pull the harness out of the hinge it kind of runs down the hinge and then goes up and makes a u turn pull that out .You can pulldown the trunk liner on drivers side and see where it snaps on to a bolt pull that off of the bolt to give yourself a little more wire length to work with.

Now you will see where the wires make a uturn inside another plastic piece.Unravel the tape in this area and remove the plastic piece.

You will find a broken wire (white with black stripe) made a little to short at the factory.

Splice in a small 2 inch extension betweeen the broken ends preferably solder it ( use butt connectors that you crimp on or twist and tape if you must.)

Tape the harness back up.

Put it all back together.

[BillyC]

Good info guys. I repaired the black and white wire this morning and all the symptoms are gone except one. With the shift selector in Park and the ignition switch on, when I push the brake pedal I get a click like a relay operating in the shift console. I don't recall having this sound before the black and white wire broke, so I assumed that it was part of the same problem, but apparently not. Any ideas?

Thanks again,

BillyC

[tansupplyman]

Billy-the earlier thread on this was Dec 6-Dec 11. Type 'hinge' in search !!!

Not as good explaination as Denny's but may be helpful.

[tansupplyman]

Sorry--didn't read 1990LS400's first !!!!