No Brake Lights
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 40
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No Brake Lights
Greetings,
I 'inherited' my Dad's '88 Ranger, 2,9 V6, and after I had a crate engine installed a few years ago, it's been great. However, a couple weeks ago, I went out to start it and the battery was dead. so I charged the battery, she started right up, and I drove her. When I got home, I shut off the engine, got out, and was walking away - but noticed that the taillights were lit.
So, that's what ran the battery down.
I found the fuse for that circuit and pulled it. I then replaced the taillight stop switch (a $10 part) but did not solve the problem. Taillights are ON (unless fuse puled) and brake lights DO NOT WORK.
Any ideas? (of course, there is a short SOMEWHERE?)
I 'inherited' my Dad's '88 Ranger, 2,9 V6, and after I had a crate engine installed a few years ago, it's been great. However, a couple weeks ago, I went out to start it and the battery was dead. so I charged the battery, she started right up, and I drove her. When I got home, I shut off the engine, got out, and was walking away - but noticed that the taillights were lit.
So, that's what ran the battery down.
I found the fuse for that circuit and pulled it. I then replaced the taillight stop switch (a $10 part) but did not solve the problem. Taillights are ON (unless fuse puled) and brake lights DO NOT WORK.
Any ideas? (of course, there is a short SOMEWHERE?)
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
If you are pulling fuse 1 that IS the brake light fuse, and you need to remove the steering column shroud and remove the electrical connector from the turn signal switch. Put the fuse back in and if the lights stay off the turn signal switch has a short in it. Ford calls the turn signal switch the multi function switch.
Remove 2 screws from under side of column shroud & squeeze the lower half & remove the upper. God is punishing me so now I have to drive 90 miles to see my dear MIL.
Have fun
Remove 2 screws from under side of column shroud & squeeze the lower half & remove the upper. God is punishing me so now I have to drive 90 miles to see my dear MIL.
Have fun
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2015
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hey bud. on the later models there is a large plug that goes through the floor under the drivers seat, and there famous for letting water in and causing shorts, im not sure if your model has this plug or not but stick your head under the truck at the drivers seat and have a look.i also have another plug at the end of the frame rail near the tailgate, and then the feed goes up to the tail lights. i had problems with the under floor one on my 02 b3000, so i bypassed the whole plug. good luck.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
No Brake Lights: turn signal switch
If you are pulling fuse 1 that IS the brake light fuse, and you need to remove the steering column shroud and remove the electrical connector from the turn signal switch. Put the fuse back in and if the lights stay off the turn signal switch has a short in it. Ford calls the turn signal switch the multi function switch.
Remove 2 screws from under side of column shroud & squeeze the lower half & remove the upper. God is punishing me so now I have to drive 90 miles to see my dear MIL.
Have fun
Remove 2 screws from under side of column shroud & squeeze the lower half & remove the upper. God is punishing me so now I have to drive 90 miles to see my dear MIL.
Have fun
Thanks, 87 XLT - actually, the turn signal switch is 'suspect', as the locking mechanism that holds lever in turn position has been broken for some time. I ordered a new switch today, and will install it on Wed. I'll let you know what happens.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 40
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No Brake Lights: Floorboard Plugs
hey bud. on the later models there is a large plug that goes through the floor under the drivers seat, and there famous for letting water in and causing shorts, im not sure if your model has this plug or not but stick your head under the truck at the drivers seat and have a look.i also have another plug at the end of the frame rail near the tailgate, and then the feed goes up to the tail lights. i had problems with the under floor one on my 02 b3000, so i bypassed the whole plug. good luck.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2015
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No Brake Lights - no luck yet
OK, 87 XLT, I replaced the multi function switch today - still a short, somewhere? (still on and no brake lights) 
That's $50 in new parts, and no solution - as I am NOT electrically-inclined (able to trace a short), I believe I will take it to an automotive electrical shop, and let them give it a shot?
That's $50 in new parts, and no solution - as I am NOT electrically-inclined (able to trace a short), I believe I will take it to an automotive electrical shop, and let them give it a shot?
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Well that sucks. That's why I mentioned removing the connector from the MFS to see if the lights turned off.
If you have the owners manual the fuse listings should be on page 188. If you can tell me which fuse you pulled we might be able to figure this out.
But if you do take it to an auto electric shop, let us know what they find.
If you have the owners manual the fuse listings should be on page 188. If you can tell me which fuse you pulled we might be able to figure this out.
But if you do take it to an auto electric shop, let us know what they find.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
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Likes: 1
From: SoCal
BTW the hazard flasher & brake light switch are both wired to fuse 1. If the hazards are also not working, the problem is under the dash somewhere.
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Freshman User
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just out of curiosity, have you checked the break light bulbs to make sure that there not blow? and do you have a module for daytime running lights, if so disconnect it and see what happens.
another thing to try is pull the fuses one at a time(pull it out,check the tail lights then put it back in) and lets see if find out what fuse number/ circuit it is that causing the trouble.
another thing to try is pull the fuses one at a time(pull it out,check the tail lights then put it back in) and lets see if find out what fuse number/ circuit it is that causing the trouble.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 40
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No Brake Lights
Pretty sure it's Fuse 1, 87 XLT - it's the first one on top right row (going down). And yes, Hazards does NOT work.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
just out of curiosity, have you checked the break light bulbs to make sure that there not blow? and do you have a module for daytime running lights, if so disconnect it and see what happens.
another thing to try is pull the fuses one at a time(pull it out,check the tail lights then put it back in) and lets see if find out what fuse number/ circuit it is that causing the trouble.
another thing to try is pull the fuses one at a time(pull it out,check the tail lights then put it back in) and lets see if find out what fuse number/ circuit it is that causing the trouble.
I looked at the fuse chart and found the one for tail lights & brake (see my previous reply to 87 XLT)
Thanks!
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Well I cant figure out any connection between brake lights and hazards not working & tail lights staying on all the time. This might be one that requires hands on to figure out.
On my 87 -your 88 might be different- the top left fuse in the fuse box is for stop & hazards, is it blown? It's fuse 1
On my 87 the top right fuse is wired to the dash light switch. If you pull the connector off of that switch & the rear lights go off theres your problem.
If you look at the back side of the panel you removed to get to the fuses it will show what each fuse is wired to.
On my 87 -your 88 might be different- the top left fuse in the fuse box is for stop & hazards, is it blown? It's fuse 1
On my 87 the top right fuse is wired to the dash light switch. If you pull the connector off of that switch & the rear lights go off theres your problem.
If you look at the back side of the panel you removed to get to the fuses it will show what each fuse is wired to.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2015
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UPDATE
I broke down and took it to a shop last week and they told me it was fixed (same day). Picked up and brought home WITHOUT CHECKING and yes, I have brake lights now, but taillights still ON after shutting off engine (Grrr!!). so, back to the shop this morning with it, and I will talk to the Tech, NOT just the shop lady.
And 87 XLT, you are right - my top right fuse is Interior (dash) lights and also 'exterior' lights (guessing tail lights?).
I broke down and took it to a shop last week and they told me it was fixed (same day). Picked up and brought home WITHOUT CHECKING and yes, I have brake lights now, but taillights still ON after shutting off engine (Grrr!!). so, back to the shop this morning with it, and I will talk to the Tech, NOT just the shop lady.
And 87 XLT, you are right - my top right fuse is Interior (dash) lights and also 'exterior' lights (guessing tail lights?).
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Yeah the top right is fuse 4 which is hot at all times. Fuse 4 feeds the headlight switch on the dash. Like I said earlier, if you remove the connector from the switch & the tail lamps go off you need to replace the switch.
Glad to hear they got the brake lights working.
Glad to hear they got the brake lights working.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Brake/Tails Light Problem - Solved
OK, after taking my Ranger back to the shop, after discovering that the tail lights were still staying ON - they finally figured it out - turns out, the pull/push (On/Off) **** on the dash was bad. The spindle/shaft had pushed through the ****, so when you pushed it in, the shaft was not going in - duh! So, I'm hoping to just find a replacement **** (any of the parts stores should have a 'generic' one)
Takes for your feedback, guys!
Takes for your feedback, guys!