3rd brake light socket partially melted
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3rd brake light socket partially melted
Noticed 3rd brake light was out. When I removed the light assembly, which also has two bulbs for back-up lights, observed that the socket for the brake light was partially melted. Any idea what caused this? Thought it was going to be a simple bulb replacement, but now it looks like I may have to replace the entire assembly. What do they cost from the dealer? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank You 
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Not uncommon actually. The assembly is fairly easy to get your hands on. Every F-series and Bronco after about mid-1990 (when the high-mount stop lamp became federal regulation) has this stop lamp/cargo lamp assembly either in the top (on Bronco units) or the top rear of the cab (on F-series regardless of the length of the cab or bed). The assembly was actually designed for the F-series so that the stop lamp and the cargo lamp for the bed were incorporated into the same unit. Ford just stuck it on the Bronco as well and it works nicely when loading from the back or getting the spare out/off in the dark.
They are all plastic and when the socket begins to age, the connections between it and the lamps grows weak. Weak electrical connections generate far more heat than the assembly was ever designed to sustain. Few people ever actually inspect or replace these lamps unless they burn out. Moisture from humidity changes and plain old age weaken the current-carrying components in the assemblies and what you have there is the result.
They are all plastic and when the socket begins to age, the connections between it and the lamps grows weak. Weak electrical connections generate far more heat than the assembly was ever designed to sustain. Few people ever actually inspect or replace these lamps unless they burn out. Moisture from humidity changes and plain old age weaken the current-carrying components in the assemblies and what you have there is the result.
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greystreak92: Thank you very much for the information. My Bronco is a '94 EB, garaged and well maintained, but living in Florida, with the humidity, etc, as well as age, things such as this just happen. Going to stop at a local dealer this AM and get a price for the assembly. If too much, I will start looking in local wrecking yards. Thank You again for answering my concern so quickly.
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