Son's truck: 1997 F-150 extended cab. He just called, the brake lights are out again. When this happens it locks the shifter in park and blows fuse #13 which controls the brake pedal interlock and the brake lights. I need clues where to start trouble shooting this over the weekend. I know electrical problems are hard enough to trace without trying to do it over the internet, but is possible it is the switch shorting out? Should I go ahead and buy a new one so we'll have it on hand for this weekend? Any suggestions you can give me I would be gratefull.
Joe

 

i take it that this has happened more than once? does it happen when your son stepps on the brake pedal. that would be an indication of the switch(internal short) causing the fuse to blow and disabling other features.

 

yep, second time. First time we unhooked the trailer brake controller, removed and tested the pedal switch and checked all the wireing going to the pedals and it quit blowing fuses. We must have moved the short around so maybe that means it's in the pedal general area. Thanks, Joe

 

You have all the the symptoms of a leaky speed control disconnect switch, the subject of a recent extensive recall. I'd wager his truck didn't have it done.

SEARCH keywords "SCDS", "Cruise recall", etc... for prior discussions.

Steve

 

You are absolutly correct. We are hunting the recall papers now (he said he never had time to get it fixed). We've unplugged the wires going to it and the lights work and the fuse holds fine. When we find the paperwork I bet he'll find time to get it fixed this time.
Thanks for your help, Joe

 

I don't think that the dealer will give you any grief if you don't have the recall notice in hand. They will look up the VIN in Ford's system and fix it per information from Ford. Just get it to the dealer soon!