I have a 1995 Ford explorer and cant figure out how to replace the 3rd brakelight. I am about to shoot it.

Thank you

Leonard Bode

 

Do you have the LED type? I think all the 95s came with it, but I am not sure. If so, you need to remove the plastic panel on the lift gate. The ballast is there, along with the LED array. Since it's unlikely that the LEDs all died, you may need to do a little troubleshooting. Make sure the wiring going to the ballast is working, because the ballast is kind of expensive (especially compared to a replacement incandescent bulb) and you don't want to buy one by mistake.

 

I replaced the light assembly and that did not fix the problem.
It turned out to be the ballast assembly. Open up the tail gate and remove
the inner plastic door cover .In side there is a black "power pack"
that is the ballast 9 times out of 10 that is the fault. Replace that and that should fix your problem.
I changed out the bulb assembly and that was a job and and, costly. I would try out the ballast first.
Greg

 

The light assemblies are neon. That is why they are so expensive (~$150). They were only used from 95-97.

Mason