Intermittent brake light failure

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 5, 2004 | 12:27 PM

joepechin

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 15

Likes: 0

Intermittent brake light failure

My 1999 Ranger brake lights are failing intermittently. You can depress the pedal and the lights will initially shine normally but, after a few seconds, go out. I recently installed a Hoppy trailer harness with a built in taillight converter. The harness was of modular construction and installed easily. To be honest, I am not sure if I had the problem prior to installing the harness. Any ideas you can share will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Joe

Oct 5, 2004 | 07:55 PM

Ken00

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 10,562

Likes: 4

From: South Jersey

I would pull the trailer connector out to eliminate that as the cause.

Oct 5, 2004 | 09:49 PM

joepechin

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 15

Likes: 0

I pulled the brake light switch and opened it up. Inside were three sets of contacts. I cleaned one set that showed signs of arcing with emery paper and it seems to have solved the problem. I'll probably order a new switch just in case. Thanks!

Oct 6, 2004 | 07:44 PM

Ken00

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 10,562

Likes: 4

From: South Jersey

Glad to hear things are better now!!

Oct 7, 2004 | 06:11 AM

bcjim

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 1,045

Likes: 1

Amazing, I was just about to post with the same symptoms, although I have no trailer wiring.

Anyone know the difficulty level of switch replacement and/or the cost of the switch?

Reply Subscribe