First I want to thank anyone that is going to take the time to respond to this question. This is my first post here so please excuse me if this is not posted in the correct format for here.

I am not a truck guy. I recently exited the Marine Corps and worked exclusively with computers and networks. I have always owned ford trucks but have never done heavy work on them. I do oil, some electrical, stereo instillation and alarm installation as well as my intake but have had others do my exhaust and my lift.

Recently I noticed that my left rear turn signal had a small crack in it. I live in Southern California where near Camp Pendleton where we don't get much rain so just recently a heavy storm combined with this small crack in my rear turn signal housing resulted in moisture within the housing.

My warning light came on and said to check the rear left brake light. I took the housing off, I examined all the bulbs and ecerything looked good besides some corosion in the brake light housing. I checked all the fuses associated with the rear turn / brake / and reverse light and they were all good. I replaced the brake light and now it works just fine. Both of the blinkers work as well, but now I have a serious problem for driving at night.

At night when the headlights are on there should be tail lights on in the back so that people could can see the rear of the vehicle but these lights are not on.

I am at a loss. I have used an light pen to check the current and it is receiving a current, I have replaced the bulbs but still no tail lights at night???

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks in advance Gentlemen

Marine2651

 

Don't know what year this is but on many Fords the stop & taillights use a single 2 filament bulb with a common ground. If that's the way yours is setup, you might have the wrong bulbs. The owners manual will have the bulb info.

I think newer Fords use a separate bulb for running lights.

 

Thank you for the reply,

I have replaced all 6 bulbs in both the right and left housings. I might mention as well that typically the top center light also is on at night and then goes to stage two when the brake is pressed.

So, all bulbs have been replace, all fuzes checked but when I drive at night the back of my car is darkedout until I press the brake pedal. Thank you again to all for the help.

 

just bought a 1988 ford ranger and the rear right side turn signal and the brake light is not working they are on the same socket. i have checked all the fuses and the signal flasher relay is clicking fine. the front right signal light works fine when i turn on the right signal everything seems to be working except its not working in the rear side.... i have changed all fuses anyway and i changed the socket also but no luck, could the turn flasher relay be bad and could the flasher affect the brake light ???
sorry for posting here couldn't start a new thread dont know how im new

 

Marine2651, what model year is your Explorer? That will help us understand what the bulb setup is as well as pull up wiring diagrams. Also, what bulb part numbers did you use to replace the brake/parking light bulbs? I think what 87XLT was suggesting is that you may have replaced a dual filament bulb (such as a 3057) with a single filament replacement (such as a 3056). If that was the case, that could explain why only the brake and turn signal functions work.

You mentioned you used a pen light to check for current. Was it a pen light or a test light? I think of a pen light as a small flashlight. A test light has a wire and clip that you attach to a good ground point and then a probe and handle that resembles a screwdriver that you use to check for power to the circuit. Is this the type of tool you used? If so, since it lit up with the parking lights turned on, that indicates you have a good power wire to the socket but does not necessarily prove the socket ground is good.

One more question, does your Explorer have trailer wiring installed, and if so, do you know if it was wired in or factory installed? Often folks will splice in trailer wiring using splices that are not rated for outdoor use and exposure to the elements. The connections will corrode and cause a variety of issues with the rear lighting.

-Rod

 

Scuba, see my above post on checking for current with a test light to the socket, verifying socket ground, and inquiry about trailer wiring.

-Rod

 

corroded ground is a possibility on light problems. The bulb ties to ground thru the tail light wire when the brake light is engaged... Sometimes funny light operation results.

 

From your 2nd post I see that this is an 07 Explorer.

The diagrams show 2 single filament tail light only bulbs.

And 2 dual filament brake/turn/tail light bulbs.

Like rod mentioned i'm wondering if you have single filament where you need dual filament.

Are your license plate lights working?

Are you saying that the top center brake light only is coming on with the headlights?

 

thanks shorod i fixed the problem it was exactly what you said, the previous owner spliced it for a trailer right under the license plate. a five year old would have done a better job lol.... i bought a test light with fuses for only 99cents from my 99cent store.. good luck with your problem marine2651.. thanks again guys

 

I'm glad to hear you found the issue and presumably got it fixed.

-Rod