Extra light socket in passenger side tail light

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Sep 12, 2011 | 11:48 PM

rasscal

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Extra light socket in passenger side tail light

I have a 1997 F150 extended cab. Recently I just got a new truck cap, and I want to wire up a third brake light. I remember at some point I discovered that there was some extra wiring in one of the tail lights.

I went to look for it today, and i discovered it on the passenger side, coming from the reverse light wiring. It was all taped up, and after all these years, it was badly rusted. I took the tape off, and it looks like an extra light socket. Anybody have any idea what this wiring/socket is for?

Thanks.

Sep 13, 2011 | 07:11 AM

SwOkcOffRoader

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From: okc

Someone probably spliced in a new one because that one was defective. That's my guess.

Sep 13, 2011 | 08:31 AM

rasscal

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SwOkcOffRoader

Someone probably spliced in a new one because that one was defective. That's my guess.

I highly doubt it. I am the original owner, and I've never had anybody do any work in that area of the truck. I remember I once read about it on a forum somewhere a long time ago. I just don't remember what they said it was for.

Alan.

Sep 13, 2011 | 04:07 PM

rasscal

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Here's a picture about what I'm talking about. From what I can tell, both wires are black, and the socket itself is extremely rusty, the ground wire fell off. After I took this picture I taped it all back up and put everything back together.

Anybody have an idea what these wires are hooked up to? As far as I know, it came from the factory this way, and there isn't one of these on the driver's side.

Sep 13, 2011 | 08:44 PM

SwOkcOffRoader

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From: okc

Wow, that's crazy. Looks like an older tag lamp socket. It's hard to say what all Ford used these wiring harnesses in. Who knows, maybe someone on the assembly line wired in an old rusty socket on the new harness just to make you scratch your head.

Sep 13, 2011 | 10:25 PM

whitefordexplorer

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I think it may be for a rear wiper motor, or rear washer fluid pump on a navigator, or expedition, since these trucks all used the same frame, its a possibility that maybe its a harness meant for an expedition. or, one of your neighbors is playing a prank on you. either way, if it aint broke, dont fix it.

Sep 16, 2011 | 10:46 PM

rasscal

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Boy do I ever feel stupid now. I just remembered that sometime way back in the past I installed one of those annoying beep-beep reverse lights that plug into the light sockets. I installed that light socket, but I decided later it was too annoying so I removed the beeper but left the socket. I must be getting old.