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Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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eyris
Novice
Aug 1, 2013, 11:27 AM
Post #1 of 14
(2386 views)
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Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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Hi everyone, TIA for any help you can give me on this one.
I have a 2001 Toyota Echo, 1.5L engine, about 136,000 miles.
For the last week I have noticed a burning/melting plastic smell pretty much every time I drive the car. It would happen and then fade away, happen again, etc.
Today while in line at a drive-thru I noticed in my rear-view mirror that wisps of white smoke were actually coming from the rear center brake light in my back window. I put the car in park instead of keeping my foot on the brake and it did stop smoking, but I drove right home.
Also, in case this is related, a few days before I noticed the plastic smell/burning, my left turn signal decided to freak out. It blinks about double-time from what it should, and it extends not only to the indicator inside the car, but also both front and back lights (no bulbs are burnt out). Right blinker is normal.
Any ideas as to what is causing this and what I could replace? FWIW, I was planning on getting a new car next month, but I still need to get around until then! I'm 8 months pregnant so I'd rather not risk my car starting on fire or breathing in the nasty fumes.
I'm a novice when it comes to cars but I'm a big DIYer so I don't mind attempting relatively easy fixes myself. Any help is greatly appreciated!
(This post was edited by eyris on Aug 1, 2013, 11:32 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 1, 2013, 12:01 PM
Post #2 of 14
(2370 views)
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Re: Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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Jeez! That should have blown a fuse before that IMO but believe you. Not sure but if you are still up to anything in your condition pull the bulbs out and look at the sockets for now or get some help.
IDK - was the car exposed to unusually wet conditions the might have brought this on?
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 1, 2013, 12:04 PM
Post #3 of 14
(2364 views)
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Re: Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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Could somebody have put the wrong bulbs in?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 1, 2013, 12:17 PM
Post #6 of 14
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Re: Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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For looking at sockets one or more may be corroded. Most come new with grease that may have washed out. A bad socket can act as a short was just the thought. If so you replace and need to solder in a new socket for any in trouble. It's just surprising that more than just the center brake light is acting up all at once and can't think of a common denominator for that,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 1, 2013, 12:34 PM
Post #8 of 14
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Re: Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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It doesn't mark the end of the car just was surprised it seems to have hit two by your decription at the same time?
T
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eyris
Novice
Aug 1, 2013, 3:30 PM
Post #9 of 14
(2312 views)
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Re: Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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Update:
I pulled the cover off of the back center brake light bulb and the bulb itself had started to melt it's way into the plastic cover. The whole thing (bulb and socket) were pretty hot.
The socket was just attached to the wires by a plastic clip so I brought the whole melty socket/bulb combo into AutoZone and the guy there seemed pretty convinced I just needed a new bulb and that there wasn't anything wrong with the socket itself.
I don't know if that's right, but I replaced the bulb and added "bulb grease" to the connections and after driving around a bit haven't seen or smelled anymore smoke. I also opened it back up after driving a bit to see if it had gotten really hot like it was before and it was cool to the touch.
I'm going to try switching out the bulbs on my left turn signal and see if that fixes the other problem, since I did read somewhere that sometimes they go fast just before burning out, even if they aren't burnt out yet completely.
Hopefully this was easier than I thought it would be! Thanks for the help!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 1, 2013, 3:49 PM
Post #10 of 14
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Re: Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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Good luck to you kid. I've just plain never seen bulbs themselves get so hot and question that they do get hot at their end but can't argue if it worked.
Little late but with bulbs try to use a paper towel on them to prevent any chance of dirt or grease getting on the glass itself.
I do find they do tend to have a life #if hours of use but usually just blow. When practical and known that it's a first round for bulbs I do them all as when one blows others of the same are usually right behind.
What is disappointing to me is lately the quality of common automotive bulbs has dropped off.
Oh, the fast blinking is quite likely that it's drawing too much current so flasher goes faster.
Best of luck with your new expected arrival. I'm shocked you are taking on your car this late.
Be well. We'll keep the light on for you,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 1, 2013, 3:53 PM
Post #11 of 14
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Re: Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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That's why I asked about the wrong bulb. If somebody put a higher intensity bulb, it will give off a lot more heat and the lens may be too close.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 2, 2013, 8:54 AM
Post #14 of 14
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Re: Smoke Coming From Rear Center Brake Light
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That would explain the smoke without blowing a fuse but the reason that happened is a mystery? Tape probably won't last. Perhaps a zip wire tie would - you can see the issue we can't. Of course a whole unit/assembly would be best if it's not just somehow missing a clip? Did something bump it somehow? Only point now if you've succeeded at holding it needs a stronger fix that doesn't interfere with the unit.
What's with the directional problem now? Was that just bulb or what? That fast blinking directional means something so if not corrected now it will be an issue. I don't know how much more strength you have for more this late with child waiting and amazed now!
Hope you were all set and can forget this bull for a while but again think about durability of electrical tape for something like that. They do have very high temp tolerant and stretchy electrical tape (Scotch 700 or was #33) is pretty capable but not sure this is the place to hold something? Do know that electrical tape is not all the same at all!
They make liquid electrical tape that is pretty amazing stuff - read the containers if you find it. All Home Depot type places will have it and handy for a lot of things. Don't breathe those vapors either and be quick if you get that stuff as it will wreck the whole can which is small brush in cap type thing. Dries pretty fast, stays moderately flexible.
Whatever, hope you are totally done soon with this and pay attention to other little priorities!
Tom
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