Why don't LED tail lights work correctly?

Did you put in a single one double element bulb in the housing.

A double element bulb has two lighted filaments, one that lights with tail lights and one that lights up with brake lights.

If it is a double element bulb, are both lit up when installed and brake pedal not pressed. If so, check break light switch under dash board at top of brake pedal.

You have a short in the cross over wire. Almost all cars and trucks have one main break wire with a second wire "y" in off to the passenger side . You could just wire in a cross over and disconnect the old one.

I would guess that you need a new bulb. Many of these tail lights actually have two filaments inside them, one that is used for a dimmer light (running light) and one that is used for a brighter light like (brake light, turn signal). The easiest thing to try (and probably the cheapest) would be to buy a replacement bulb and change it. Most places that sell automotive light bulbs will have a large catalog where you look up the make model and year of the car you need a light for and it will tell you which replacement bulb you will need. Then look in your cars manual to see how you access and replace the bulb.

Yes, I have a 2011 Milan as well and both sides of mine went out. One last year (2013) and the other side recently. My car is no longer under warranty and the dealer said they it would be $417 to repair. Ford needs to fix this issue because from what I have been reading it is a common problem and it is a safety issue!

You don't really need a diagram, it's simple. If you open both tail light boxes in the trunk you will see at the connector on the bottom a yellow wire in the first position. That goes to the brake bulb. If both tail lights do not work, make sure you are getting power to the driver side light first, if it is not getting power, the passenger side will not work either, they are in line with each other. If it is only the passenger side not working, the bridging wire could be bad.. try jumping it. Also, make sure you are getting power inside the tail light bulb holder. The metal connections can come loose. If there is no power to the driver side tail light it could be the bulb failure relay, that is the round red relay in the rear left side of the fuse box behind the ash tray/ cigarette lighter below the radio in front of the shifter. You should be getting power to the third brake light in the rear window...that is a different circuit and will not be affected. Try changing out the bulb failure relay, it supplies the power to the tail lights.

It sounds like a ground wire problem. Try to trace the ground wire from the passenger side. Look for a broken wire or a corroded ground connection.

u have to replace the bulb. There are two wires in the bulb to make it light one is for running lights and other is for brake so just pull it out and see if one of the wires is broken inside. lights are only a couple dollars. good luck

That has a double filament bulb in it. One is for the tail light and the other for the brake and maybe the turn signal. If your turn signal flashes the tail light and not an individual turn signal bulb it will behave the same way. The way it works is that the tail light filament goes off and the brighter brake light filament comes on. The brake light half of the bulb is out. If you change it, change the passenger side too, it will do the same shortly if you leave it in. They tend to go bad in pairs. Good luck.

The characteristic you described is almost always a ground connection that is not secure.

Check with an ohm meter the resistance between the ground at the light socket and the chassis of the car. Any resistance is an indication of a poor ground connection. Temporarily connect the return(ground) connection at the socket to the chassis using a jumper.

If all is correct with jumper in place determine poor connection location and repair.

Hope this helps?

RE: 2002 Toyota Highlander 2.4cyl. 4X4 Base Model

I am a Certified Technician and have basic knowledge with electronics in electrical wiring. I searched the web and discovered this is a common problem.

I fixed the problem and it was a simple procedure... The problem is with the reverse light socket at the side with no brake light. This socket functions as a hub to direct current to the brake bulbs.

Remove reverse light socket and re-seat bulb. Check for loose or broken prongs. Replace if necessary.

Swap the reverse socket with the other side.