Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

Brake lights not working 96 explorer

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 22, 2003 | 06:38 AM
  #1  
d9h's Avatar
d9h
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Brake lights not working 96 explorer

I did a search on the subject on the forum and got some direction but it also created a few questions too. The tail lights work, the bulbs are good, the upper third brakelight works, but the two lower brake lights are not working. One suggestion is that the brake switch is not working. This doesn't seem right to me since the upper third brake light is working. Is there something I'm missing there? A second suggestion is that the "Lamp Outage Module" may have gone bad. Where is this and what does it look like?
One other possibility is that I have a bad relay(assuming there is one for the rear brakelights). Is there a way to test a relay to see if its bad? Which relay is the correct one for the brakes?

Thanks for any help and suggestions.
d9h
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2003 | 06:32 AM
  #2  
d9h's Avatar
d9h
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Brakelights not working

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be causing my brakelights to not work? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thankyou,
d9h
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2003 | 04:56 PM
  #3  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
If this is wired the same as my 95 Taurus, you have 2 seperate brake light circuits. One is from the brake light switch directly to the high mount brake light. The other is wired from brake light switch thru the multifunction switch and to the other 2 brake lights. On my Taurus getting to & testing the multifunction switch is simple, and its the first thing that I would look at since they are a common trouble maker. Another option is to hook up a test lamp between the center electrode in the bulb socket & ground & step on the brake pedal if it lights theres a ground problem. Most helpful at times like this would be the XLNT "Electrical & vacuum troubleshooting manual" from www.helminc.com
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2003 | 06:08 AM
  #4  
d9h's Avatar
d9h
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Brakelights not working

Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me where I would find the malfunction switch?
Thanks,
d9h
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2003 | 09:55 AM
  #5  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
The turn signal lever is attached to the multifunction switch.
Yours might be different, but on my Taurus it only takes a couple of minutes to remove the ignition lock cylinder & the plastic shroud around the steering column to get to the switch. A haynes manual will have instructions. & the manual I allready mentioned will tell you how to test continuity thru the "stop lamp feed thru circuit" with an ohm meter. Good luck with it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2003 | 10:49 AM
  #6  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Heres how it's done on my Taurus. Turn key to run, insert 1/8 th inch punch/drill bit etc thru small hole on underside of steering column, depress spring loaded pin and pull out the key lock cylinder. Then just remove the screws from the plastic column shroud, remove the upper half & theres the multifunction switch.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2003 | 02:55 PM
  #7  
d9h's Avatar
d9h
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Malfunction switch

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at it this weekend.
d9h
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2003 | 03:23 PM
  #8  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Keep us posted on how it goes.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 24, 2003 | 05:47 PM
  #9  
ThePheonixx2's Avatar
ThePheonixx2
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, NC
ok here goes... ihad a 93 ranger one time long ago... the brake swtch went to crap. BECAUSE FORD IS HIRING MORONS...bascly the switch was wrapped around the brake pedal. the brake lights were wired seperatley, and like you only my tail brake lights did not work. i re wired the switch with wires out of the way...and no problems and i sold the truck that way. bascly what i did was cut the switch and use a few crimp style connectors some extra wire and a few inches of electrical tape. 25 mins to do.. mostly cause the cab was small and i am 6'5" so twsting into the rght space to get at the switch was difficult.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:42 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE