Thanks for verify the wires, and yes, the black is actually positive, which i find it to be awkward. Since black is usually the negative.

 

I thought that the single reverse light was weird and was planning to add the second reverse light this weekend. But I bought it brand new this week and it has both lights

 

Only the 2011's have one reverse light. They have 2 lights on the 2012 models.

 

done, looks much better. not going to get the one light story from strangers anymore!

 

I finally got around to doing this mod. Now I need to get some nice bright LEDs for them.

 

Just need some info on this:
I want to do the 2nd Reverse Light mod on my 2011 tC and was wondering instead of cutting out a whole on the existing taillight.
Can I use a 2012 tC right taillight instead since it already has a hole for the socket? or is it different?

Thanks in advance.

________

 

i used a soldering iron. The taillight is only plastic, you can easily melt the socket outline into shape and cut the excess with a razor. It's really simple to do and saves you money instead of buying a taillight just for a socket hole.

 

Good idea. I will try that. Thanks.

 

After two years I finally attempted this mod. Drilling and cutting out the hole wasn't the problem, it's getting rid of all the shavings inside. I tried vacuuming, compressed air, but stuff is lodged in places that I can't get it all out :\ I guess its not that noticeable but it annoys me. I got the socket and bulbs, and will get to the wiring on the weekend.

 

I doubt any 2011 tC owners care at this point (if you were gonna do the mod you'd likely have done it by now), but here you go anyway...

I got the wiring in the other week and it was pretty straight-forward (note the green wires are positive and white/black are negative). Bought the socket for $1.80 and 18 LED tower bulbs for $2.60 each from eBay. I originally got cheaper 9 LED spotlight bulbs but was disappointed with the brightness in daylight so I replaced them. The tower SMD LED bulbs are so much brighter and visible.

Left wiring


Drilled hole


Right wiring


Looks stock


18 LED tower bulbs


9 LED spotlight bulbs for comparison (are they even on? )

 

Great job done by you you make your reverse light very nice and it is looking very beautiful on the back of your car , the blue color light looking really very bright over the number plate of your car.

 

thanks for the post. Looks good! well done

 

has anybody used cree leds for the reverse lights? Would i have any issues? ddm has a sale today.
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/74...Cree-LED-White

 

I was so relieved to have found this thread only to discover the OP's photos have been pulled! lol Obie if you could PM me the original pics if you still have them that'd be greatly appreciated!

I'm taking the other photos installers have posted into consideration as well, it's just bugging me that I can't see the ones from the first post!

Thank you in advance!

 

Wow, I just picked up a 2011 tC this Monday and only the driver side reverse light was working. I thought the bulb was out! Good thing I stumbled upon this thread.

And fixed:

 

So I think the single Reverse Light on my 2011 Scion tC is lame, so I bought replacement tail lights that said both reverse lights worked.
I checked, and both sides have bulbs and wiring harnesses, but when they were all installed, only the driver's side lights up. STILL. Any advice?

 

Swap the bulbs from side to side to check if the problem follows the bulb or the wiring, That will at least give you an idea of where to start.
Chances are you just need to pop in a new reverse bulb, would be a good time to upgrade to better looking and brighter LEDs.

The above implies you already ran the wiring to bring the electrical signal to the passenger side of the car.

If not - See Video Below

__________________

 

Both sides have Tail Lights and Brake Lights. The 2011 model has only one Reverse Light. At least that's the way it came from the factory.

Here's a 2nd Reverse Light DIY: