taillight toyota

"My 1995 Toyota XLS will not shift from park UNLESS I use the interlock override.  I also do not have any brake lights what so ever (bulbs are good).
  Brake stop switched replaced (though now I am confident the old one is still good)
  Fuses seem to all be good
  The park/rear lights (which work fine) seem to run on the same wire harness as the brake lights (seems like current is going to the brake light socket - checked with a circuit tester."

feel free to either click or open this picture in a different window this will guide you through the diagnosis and testing procedure.

Okay assuming that it is a '95 Avalon xls, I have included a picture to demonstrate what i have to say.
there is a 15 amp. stop fuse that you will need to check if this is okay.
Assuming that the fuse is okay you will need to direct your attention the wire (white with red stripe (w-r)) that connects to the stoplight switch pin #2. check for voltage at this point by back-probing with a voltmeter.
If there is no voltage at this point your problem is an open circuit (broken wire, open connection ect.) somewhere along from the junction block IH pin #2 to the stoplight switch pin #2.
If there is voltage there, follow the wire (green with white stripe (g-w)) off of the stoplight switch pin #1 to the junction block 1M pin #7. you will need to backprobe pin #7 on junction block 1M and jump it to a known good ground. if the stoplights function at this point then the problem is an open circuit on the wire (green with white stripe (g-w)) from the stoplight switch pin #1 to the junction block 1M pin #7.
The repairs for either of these results is either to repair the broken wire or simply to replace it.

carb sticker turbo?

"One of my friends is saying that "as long as there is air injection going to the exhaust from a diverter to the header then that header is CARB legal". True or false?"

actually it isn't as simple as true or false. it is possible to fail a smog test based on bad tuning or anything of that kind, however it is CARB legal if you do it right(no extra modifications to part). a smog test also contains looking up trouble codes on the vehicle, so those should be your only concerns. now actually tuning the injectors or headers might require that an inspector have a look at it, and if he notices a difference isn't the problem; its passing smog where you should be looking at.

get your questions answered

If you have a question relating to automotive service, pricing, working, tech tips, or just concerned about your own vehicle, feel free to e-mail me at: bernardash@verizon.net. and be sure to write the subject as "automotive" so that i will not delete it by mistake.

I will re-post your original e-mail question followed by the solution, if i am ever mistaken on an answer or you feel i did not answer your question properly, feel free to comment on it or reply to me in an e-mail.

      thank you, bbb