QuestionQUESTION: We have a 98 Toyota Camry. It has about 207000 miles. The engine was rebuilt about 60000 miles ago. Recently we have been having problems with the rmps dropping while driving. It typically happens when we go over 45 mph. The engine rmps drop from 3000 to 1000 and the BRAKE warning light as well as the "taillight out" warning light come on when the rpms drop. The car doesn't stall and if we just keep pushing the gas it will resume driving. There aren't any codes being sent when we have had it checked. It is an automatic. We also have a starting problem that has been unsolveable but want to figure out the rpm thing first.
ANSWER: This sounds more like an electrical problem affecting the ignition system somehow, check the brake lights and tail lights and let me know if they are working correctly, first check the brake lights alone, do they all turn on including the center one? Next check the til lights for the same, are they all the same brightness and do they all work, then with the tail lights on push the brake pedal, the brake lights should be brighter than the tail lights, let me know if this checks out ok.
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QUESTION: The tail lights and brake lights are all working properly. There aren't any bulbs out and they are turning on when they should be. Also, the brake fluid is where it should be. Inconsistently the BRAKE and "tail light" out warning lights also have started flicker while driving without the rpms dropping. Then it will happen when all three act up together... so hard to figure this out.
AnswerYes I agree, it is difficult to figure this out especially if I don't have access to the car, it sounds to me like this is a wiring problem or possibly a computer issue, there are a couple of things I can suggest checking next:
Check the wiring at the rear lights, check all white/black ground wires at the bulb holders for tightness, check them with an ohm meter to ground.
Check the tail light failure relay behind the left side carpet in the trunk, it's mounted on a bracket, just follow the wires to it, remove the relay and open it, check for burned areas on the circuit board.
Open the insulation of the wires to the relay and check for any broken wires inside.
In the front check the computer connctions, it's under the glove box, check for any corrosion on the computer connectors, again check the ground wires, brown/black and white/black are ground wires, check them with an ohm meter to ground.
Check all fuses both under the hood and inside for any signs of looseness or corrosion.
Do you know if the car had been in an accident?
That's all I have so far
