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

Brake lights failed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 5, 2004 | 01:36 PM
  #1  
declanok's Avatar
declanok
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Question Brake lights failed

Hi,
I have a 2000 Explorer XLT. My brake lights failed. They both failed at the same time so it must be something common to both. However the strip brakelight on the top of the rear windscreen is working fine, so the problem must be something that's only common to the conventional brake lights. Anyone got any ideas?

thanks a lot,
Declan
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2004 | 02:07 PM
  #2  
99Xplr's Avatar
99Xplr
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Have you tried replacement bulbs? If so, do they blow out right away?
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2004 | 05:48 PM
  #3  
declanok's Avatar
declanok
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
No, haven't tried replacement bulbs yet.

I'm wondering though is there a fuse perhaps, or another part, that's only common to the regular left and right brake lights, and not connected to the strip brake light on the rear window?
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2004 | 07:43 PM
  #4  
rowiebowie1's Avatar
rowiebowie1
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Declan:

If it's the same setup as my '98, try checking/replacing the brakelight switch activated by the pedal. It's only $15-$20 and made all my brake lights (including high-center third light) go out at once. No indicator light came on in dash to let me know, so I was running around dangerously without brake lights for who knows how long until it failed inspection and was noticed.

Again, if the center high brake light also fails to come on, it's probably the switch.

p.s. - The switch is a strange contraption that I could not explain how it works, but after contorting under the dash and replacing it, all was well.

Good luck, Roy
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2004 | 07:45 PM
  #5  
rowiebowie1's Avatar
rowiebowie1
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Sorry, must not have had my glasses on. Your center light is working so must be something else I guess. Roy
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2004 | 09:25 AM
  #6  
99Xplr's Avatar
99Xplr
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I do not believe there is a seperate puse for the stop lamps as you are thinking. I fairly certain that there is a fuse for all of them, but that would not explain your problem. Try replacing the bulbs. If they continue to blow out, then there is a short some place that needs to be fixed. Since the bulbs are dual filament, do they come on when you turn on the head lights? If so, then you can eliminate a short as the cause.
 
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2004 | 08:54 AM
  #7  
vilapri's Avatar
vilapri
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Caracas
I had the same problem in my Explorer XLT 98, and changed the bulb 2 times (Generic parts) until replace with Wagner 3157 that have a midle support in the internal filament. After that the brake lights work very weel.
 
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2004 | 11:30 AM
  #8  
declanok's Avatar
declanok
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I changed the bulbs. It's working fine now. The old bulbs didn't appear to have blown but did have some black marks around the base.

Still not sure if this is the real fix. It may be that something else caused the old bulbs to fail and will now cause the new ones to fail in the next week or month. Time will tell!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Brett Foote
story-2

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 12, 2004 | 03:03 PM
  #9  
99Xplr's Avatar
99Xplr
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Glad that things are working again.... and I hope that is the last of it for you.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:40 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE