LIGHTS - It's all about lights
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New User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Jackson USA
LIGHTS - It's all about lights
Friends,
I just purchased a 95 Explorer XLT and I am having some issues with some lights that I thought would be corrected with new bulbs.
The first issues is probly the easiest. The 3rd brake light. It says to take this to the dealer. There are no bulbs to change, it is a balist of sorts to change....anyone done this or recommend I go to dealer.
The second is the map lights in the information center above your head between the sun visors. I have replace the bulbs and can not get them to work. The right one worked briefly, but as I tried to get the left one working, the right one stopped. I checked power and it has power I think correctly. The lower outer ring, the one that the cap fits into has power. The spring type flat piece at the top has no power. In fact, when I touched this the other light would go off. (I am not sure if all this is correct functioning so I am describing in detail).
The third and last is the fog lamps. I have replced both the bulbs and the fog lamp relay and I get nothing. When I depress the switch on the inside, the lighted indicator in it doesn't even light up. Is this simply a faulty switch?
I have checked all the fuses, so thats not it.
Hoping to find some help...
Dorian LaChance
dlachance@dclcreativeservices.com
I just purchased a 95 Explorer XLT and I am having some issues with some lights that I thought would be corrected with new bulbs.
The first issues is probly the easiest. The 3rd brake light. It says to take this to the dealer. There are no bulbs to change, it is a balist of sorts to change....anyone done this or recommend I go to dealer.
The second is the map lights in the information center above your head between the sun visors. I have replace the bulbs and can not get them to work. The right one worked briefly, but as I tried to get the left one working, the right one stopped. I checked power and it has power I think correctly. The lower outer ring, the one that the cap fits into has power. The spring type flat piece at the top has no power. In fact, when I touched this the other light would go off. (I am not sure if all this is correct functioning so I am describing in detail).
The third and last is the fog lamps. I have replced both the bulbs and the fog lamp relay and I get nothing. When I depress the switch on the inside, the lighted indicator in it doesn't even light up. Is this simply a faulty switch?
I have checked all the fuses, so thats not it.
Hoping to find some help...
Dorian LaChance
dlachance@dclcreativeservices.com
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 886
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From: Cincinnati
LIGHTS - It's all about lights
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Nov-02 AT 02:54 PM (EST)]This brake light is fluorescent and there is a module that creates the high voltage to drive it. I have read posts that this electronic module costs about $90 from dealer. One person even got a bad one from the dealer. The bulb assembly is sealed and is a seperate item. Mine currently has water droplets in in it and wonder just how long it will last. Wonder how many people just bust it open and silicone in some regulatr incandescent lamps. It's a chore to open it up but it might be worth seeing if there is a bad connection. My lift gate has signs that there is water getting in. I wonder how common this is.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 660
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LIGHTS - It's all about lights
It was me with the bad ballast. The light is actually neon not fluorescent. You may want to do a search on third brake light. Here's my post from last summer:
"I went through this same problem over the summer. It appears that the ballast is usually the part to go. It's $80 to $85 from Ford. The ballast is simple to replace. Simply remove the trim from the top of the door. The ballast is in the middle of the top of the door held on by two screws. Remove the screws and unplug the wires. If the neon light assembly is bad then the rivets will need to be drilled out as Reberhardt explained. Ford sold me a bad ballast so I ended up drilling out the rivets even though the light was not my problem. The light is $140+ if I remember correctly. I replaced my rivets with small screws so that if I ever do need to replace the light assembly it will be easier now."
I understand that the problem is rarely the light assembly.
Mason
'95 XLT
"I went through this same problem over the summer. It appears that the ballast is usually the part to go. It's $80 to $85 from Ford. The ballast is simple to replace. Simply remove the trim from the top of the door. The ballast is in the middle of the top of the door held on by two screws. Remove the screws and unplug the wires. If the neon light assembly is bad then the rivets will need to be drilled out as Reberhardt explained. Ford sold me a bad ballast so I ended up drilling out the rivets even though the light was not my problem. The light is $140+ if I remember correctly. I replaced my rivets with small screws so that if I ever do need to replace the light assembly it will be easier now."
I understand that the problem is rarely the light assembly.
Mason
'95 XLT
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida, USA
LIGHTS - It's all about lights
The rest of your light issues sound like bad ground paths. These lights typically are grounded by direct contact to the body or frame. check to be sure that all the screws are clean and secure. A little corrosion, grease or fabric/paper/crud can isolate the path to ground and keep the lights from working.
