My wife's 96 Expedition has suddenly been blowing the #13 fuse which operates the brake lights. I have checked all the bulbs to ensure they are seated good and they appear to be. I have also replaced the brake switch on the pedal but still blowing fuses. It has a towing hitch and everything looks good there. Has anyone had this problem? Thanks for any info.

 

Have you inspected the tow-hitch wiring? Have you done any modifications to the truck that could have scared the wiring back to the brake lights? Possible defective bulb?

Is there any other operations on that fuse slot and does it happen immediately after applying the brake?

 

After replacing fuse usually two to three pumps on brake pedal and fuse blows. Have not done any mods to it. Tow hitch has been on vehicle since I've owned it (last 10 years).

 

You're the same guy with the airbag light issue...think they could be related?

Unfortunately I don't think I can be any help.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable of the whole elec. system will chime in.

 

Yeah that's me. About to blow up the damn car. Seems everything hapening at once. Lol

 

Wait until the wife blows a fuse, then it will really hit the fan!

If the fuse blows ONLY when the pedal is pressed, then you've got a short circuit in the stop lamp circuit (only). That's sometimes (rarely) a shorted bulb, but it it's usually due to a wire having damaged insulation that allows the conductor to short to chassis.

Any specific event that happened immediately prior to the failure? (Rain, accident, repair, modification, etc.)

Do you live in a rural location (critters love to chew!)?

Besides the airbags, any other operational, electrical, or mechanical symptoms?

 

Follow the trailer plug wires from the plug toward the underneath of the left rear of the vehicle. There will be a couple of round plugs. Corrosion can develop at these connectors and cause all sorts of problems.