driver's side brake light went out.. and i replaced the bulb and that didn't work.. what's the next step?

If it looks bad, try moving the bulb around to make a better connection,

I did that. i also replaced the bulb with another new one and it still doesn't work. all the rest of the lights are working so i'm assuming the socket is not connecting correctly ??? it doesn't have any corrosion on it though. i'm no expert at all but i do see all the wires feed off the turn signal. it's a 2011 toyota 4runner sr5.

With out guessing around here, to be sure is if you had a test light to see if there is power there on the power wire and in the socket. 2011 really is not that old, look for a bad ground wire in that area. Question is if you want to buy a tester, (there cheap) or buy a new socket. With a tester you can trace the problem further up stream if need be..

I have the exact same model with the exact same problem. Everything on the light assembly works, except the brake light filament. The running light is the other filament and works fine, so power is not the question, it's got power to it. I've tried everything else starting with replacing dual filament bulb, taking the assembly out and sanding the contact points, spraying with electrical cleaner......nothing. I'm really getting tired of getting bogus advice as well and going out of my mind trying to fix this. Any help with real world experience with this would be greatful. I do not know if replacing the brake switch would help under the brake pedal because that seems it would impact both left and right.

Ron you ever figure it out? I have the same exact issue you described. It’s only on one side. Running light on but brake light not working.

I don't have an answer...but I DO have the same problem. I'm going to start with replacing the bulb base but I, too, doubt that's the issue. I will also replace the fuse. My inside rear door lights didn't work when I first got my 2011 4Runner. Dealership got them working and that lasted all of about a month...they've never worked since. I'd say there's some faulty wiring in these versions. I think I'll see if there's a clearing house that lists vehicle defects by year/model...

I have the same issue on my 2010 4Runner. Any suggestions on how to solve the issue would be appreciated.

Same issue. I pulled the stop light fuse in the engine compartment, checked it, appeared to be fine, put it back, checked the brake lights again, bingo! the brake lights worked. I assume there was a connection issue at the fuse....

Same issue on our 2010, if you pull the lens assemble, take notice where the blue wire terminal meets the plug, blue is the brake light wire. The top bulb is powered from the bottom bulb, my problem was a slightly corroded connection on the bottom bulb socket. A test light and someone to depress the brake pedal greatly helps! I cleaned the terminal (scratched with tip of test light) and applied some dialectic grease using a Q-tip. Tested and reassembled, good to go. I'm now doing the passenger side to prevent a future issue

Just had the same problem. Removed bottom socket them reinsert it. Brake light came on immediately.

I ended up switching the bottom socket from driver’s side to passenger and the break light worked for about 3-4 weeks. It’s out again. I’m going to buy a new socket and see if that works.

i have the same problem with my 2011 4 runner. i took to the dealership and was told it is the circuit board on the brake light and suggested to replace the whole brake light assembly. We already changed the bulb and the socket but it worked for a few days then out again. So hopefully changing the whole assembly this time will work

Let us know the cost of changing the assembly if you don’t mind. I’m going to try a couple of the other tips above and see if they get me anywhere. I have to drive over an hour to get to a dealership.

I also have a 2011 4runner with the driver side brake light not working. As Guru above answered, when you open the panel in the back pull the bottom light that has wires attached to it " take notice where the blue wire terminal meets the plug, blue is the brake light wire. The top bulb is powered from the bottom bulb, my problem was a slightly corroded connection on the bottom bulb socket" I cleaned it, replaced it back in socket and all is well

is this the same for 2012?

I have some problem 2011 4runner limited. Replaced bulbs, not working. Took it to my friends shop, said to replace entire assembly ($200). Worked for 1 day. Break light works, running light does not. Will try the corroded connection next

My friend tested my wires which were all good and said to try replacing the assembly piece for the tail light as the brake light wiring is somehow connected to that. The part is under $30 so that’s my next step. None of my wiring or connections are corroded. I’ll post if this issue helps or not.

I am having the same issue with my 2011 4 Runner. Has replaced bulb, cleaned sockets nothing working

Same issue. Car repair shop told me today that my fuses are fine but the entire light board needed to be replaced. Part costs $27, labor over $300. I opted to keep trying myself. I have a 2012 4Runner. Hoping to get this figured it this week.

I have a 2012 Toyota 4Runner with the same problem. The driver side bake light does not work but the running light does. I change the bulb only to have the same problem.

Any one ever definitively find out why only driver side brake light does not work? I never understand why these type threads just peter out with no solution discovered.

Hey, MuckeyDuck. I switched my brake light sockets out from driver to passenger and both brake lights actually worked...for a short time. So I don't think it's specifically related to driver side light only. I have been unable to find the brake light socket on line so have not replaced that yet. None of my wires are corroded so it's not that either. So on a whim, I followed advice from someone above and removed the fuse, put in back in and VOILA! Both brake lights are working. I marked it on the calendar and will see if it's a permanent fix.

We have Two 2010 4Runners and both have experienced this same exact problem. This site is but a small sample of users across this land and everyone seems to be experiencing the same problems. WHY Haven’t they recalled this break light assembly????

I literally did the same as suggested above: pulled out the bottom bulb (with the wires on it), Re-seated it, and brakes working!

2011 4Runner SR5 I did what GuruYKD9J said and worked Pulled the bottom wire assembly making sure the blue wire was making contact. Placed back on and worked Thanks!

Nothing is wrong with wiring, assembly, socket or fuse!!! Make sure you replace the right light bulb, there is more than one. I have 2011 4runner I replaced the one on the very top, one without any wires connected. This one is the break light bulb Part No 7443 make sure you replace both since other one will go out soon.

The issue was not the bulb. Once I pulled out the fuse, stuck it back in a different spot, then put it back where it belongs, everything worked!

As indicated 4 months ago the same fix worked and the lights are still working just fine.

Hello guys. The problems is the first socket on the bottom of the assembly, the one that holds the direction light. It feeds electric connection to the brake bulb. If this socket is not properly working, the break bulb will not work either. To test it, while pushing on the brake pedal, touch, move left and right the bottom socket. If your brake light turns on that is the faulty part. Remove it, clean it and put it back. It should resolve the problem.

The fuse controls the 3 bulbs (the one on top of the cargo door and the two on the tail light assembly) If the fuse is blown, none of the bulbs work.

Same problem. Wiggled the wires on the lower bulb socket and it lit right up (while brake was depressed).

Great forum thread. My 2010 4Runner Limited was having these issues (running light worked, pressed the brake pedal and the brake light wouldn't come on) and starting at the "blinker" bulb with the wires was a great place to start. Cables looked good, socket, etc were all extremely clean. The plug has 4 plastic prongs to lock it in place and 4 metal prongs to make the contact. A couple of the metal prongs had "flattened out" from being too rough taking the bulb in and out. Pushed up few prongs that were't quite angled up enough to make good contact, gently inserted the socket, gently twisted it in place. Pressed the brake pedal and brake lights are good to go.

GuruV6GTS nailed it. When you twist the bottom bulb assembly while brake is on, the brake light will light up. There is a problem between the assembly and the grid that is attached to body of car. Hopefully it is only the assembly, Does anyone know for sure?

Following up. It is the bottom bulb socket. I replaced it and it has been working perfectly for a week now. The dealership guy confirmed it is the male socket that holds the bulb at the bottom (The blinker light) and not the actual brake light socket. As GuruV6GTS said above, the bottom socket feeds the top socket and could be the issue. In my case it was and very hard to discover. Try wiggling the bottom socket and see if brake light comes back on and you will know. $14 part. Easily changed out yourself. Thanks GuruV6GTS!!

Thanks GuruV6GTS..My brake light on my 2010 T4R finally worked by wiggling the bottom socket and my brake light lights up!!!

2010 4Runner Limited 4wd 229xxx mi. I had the aforementioned problem of unresponsive driver's side brake light and after cleaning all contacts and using dielectric grease, the dang thing still didn't work! I checked the fuses(ATM type) which were all good, cleaned those contacts, then the dang thing still didn't work! I began to rehab the contacts on the bottom light and used my fingernail to bend the 4 square contacts out only mm's and presto! It is a failure of the contact in the light bezzel which supplies power to the brake light above the bottom light. Thank you internet for being so thorough and explanatory of details. Here is my post to contribute.

Wow, thanks guy, I owe you a cold one. Would have never thought of the bottom socket.

Do what Dan did. Easy fix

One fix I haven’t read. There is a foam insulation around the bottom light that connects power to the assembly. Make sure the foam is adequately trimmed clear from the connectors. I would say this is specific to my aftermarket assembly but everything has worked fine for a while before the tail light failed to get power. The insulation had worked itself in there just enough. I pulled the foam back, trimmed it, and the adhesive still stuck fine. No need to pull the foam back much at all. An inch is more than enough.

OMG Dan thank you! This TOTALLY worked for me. I have a 2010 4Runner and experienced this twice now when the bulb blew (I don’t believe the bulb itself was bad after learning this). With your information I got my brake light working all on my own. I’m a girl (lol) and I definitely got taken advantage of on the first run - spent $400 to replace the assembly and that didn’t work. I suspect they discovered this fix but didn’t share. this time i decided to honor the Internet and found Dan. Thank you 1M times.

Dan's answer is what worked for my 2011 4Runner. The Driver Side brake light would not light up when brake was applied. When headlights were on it would come on in dim mode, but still wouldn't light up upon braking. I switched the driver/passenger side assemblies, but the driver side still didn't work. I bent up the 4 contact arms on the bottom socket and re-inserted. Brake light now works.

I have a 2011. It is the socket. The 3 prongs are poorly designed. Get a new socket or push the prongs up.

I’ve had the same issue and I’ve isolated it to the blue wire in the tail light assembly. I found this post via a google search. Hopefully I can help someone get on the right track.

So, same problem, 2011 4Runner, SR5, driver side brake light quit. I can wiggle the bottom wired grey socket with the blue wire. If I position that bottom socket partially out, brake light comes on. IF I twist the socket all the way in, brake light will not come on. I cleaned/scraped/lubed/bent up pins and the driver side still would not come on. I swapped the grey sockets from passenger to driver sides and now the driver brake light comes on. Something is very positional with these sockets/pins etc.... Thanks everyone for the info.

Following GuruHLT6J advice of “partially” reinserting the bottom socket, i.e. just before it clicks into place, all lights now working. Thanks Guru!

Had the same problem. Changing the build did not fix it. Lightly filed all the contacts in the upper and lower bulb sockets. That did the trick.

Thanks all for the comments above mentioned in this forum. This truly helped me have a better understanding of the problem and I was able to fix it without havingto drive more than an hour to the nearest dealership. Special thanks to GuruYKD9J for his post.

THANK YOU, this fixed the same issue you are all having and as was indicated I took the bottom bulb out (one connected with wire harness) used a little sand paper (100 grit or emery cloth) on the wires on bulb, then reinserted and magic the left brake light worked. I did the the right side for the sakes of doing them both at same time even though I didn’t have problems on that side. Appreciate all this information and happy new year 2020...

Thank you all so much. Needed to get the truck inspected and the dang light was out. I was worried about a huge bill to start the new year, instead I found y’all and a fix!!! Thanks

Thank you guys for all this information... my issue was Driver side Running light working/ Stop light not... opposite on the Passenger side... after doing what you guys said above, I got both Stop lights to work, but I’m still having issue with the Passenger side Running light. After moving the gray socket (one with wires attached to it) from one side to the other (to rule out faulty socket) it still didn’t work... any idea what could be causing the Running light alone to not work? Thanks in advance.

2010 Toyota 4Runner with driver's side brake light not working. I have tried to replace socket, lightbulb, fuse and switched sockets from left or right. I had the issue a few years ago and again recently. The only thing that worked both times was to just switch the sockets from right to left. First time was just the brake light socket. This time both sockets from each side and it worked!

Solved. I had same issue on 2010 4Runner. As another gent stated, remove the bottom light (amber turn signal light assembly). There’s a blue wire going in to it—and metal terminal which corresponds to the blue wire. This terminal is notorious for getting corroded. Scrape off the corrosion with a file, screw driver, or sand paper. This should solve the issue with the tail light not working with a good bulb in and good fuses.

Thanks. I cleaned all of the contacts for the bottom socket with a scotch brite pad. Works great.

Driver side brake light not working on 2013 4runner, all other lights work perfect. Replaced light bulb, filament broken, still not working. Cleaned contacts on socket, still not working. Cleaned contacts on bottom bulb socket where the wiring plugs into and my driver side brake light works now... Thanks for the tips guys. The blue wire is the power for the brake lights.

Stop light. Inoperative on my 2010 4 runner. My shop said "circuit board shot" need entire new assembly. $225-toyota; $199 two part stores. Got one on line for $86. Meanwhile, wiggled lower socket (the one with wires) brake light now works.. Must be a CONTACT issue.. Cancelled my order on line.. $16 to return part. Oh well, I hope fix is permanent. Thanks much Guys !!

@n5140h -I didn't even think to check the other bulbs and contacts since it was the brake light that was acting up. Corrosion central on the other two sockets and bulbs. Cleaned em up, re-set them and (boom!) two working brake lights! Thank you!