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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Cargo/brake light

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Old Aug 14, 2005 | 06:14 PM
  #1  
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Cargo/brake light

The light on the back of the cab of my 89 doesn't work. It has a clear lense, and clear light bulb. Is this light suppose to come on when you put your foot on the brake? The one for my 95 does, but that lense is red not clear. I'm not getting power to the bulb, and I wanted to know if that light was for a 3rd brake light. I can't see how since it's clear, but wanted to check. Thanks.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2005 | 06:39 PM
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no, it is a cargo light. my 94 has a brake light and cargo light like your 95. i think 94 was the first year for the brake light, it may be 93.

for anyone that is a trivia buff, the third brake light has a nickname. when it was first put on vehicles was 1984 and the transportation secretary was mrs. elizabeth dole, senator bob dole's wife, so the nickname is the 'dole light'.
 

Last edited by quicklook2; Aug 14, 2005 at 07:19 PM.
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Old Aug 14, 2005 | 06:45 PM
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Interesting, thanks!

Just wanted to know because the vehicle needs to be inspected and now I can tell the guy it's not a 3rd brake light if he gives me trouble for it.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2005 | 06:50 PM
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I have a 93 with the Clear cargo light and made it as a 3rd brake light and cargo. I hacked it up and put in a red bulb for brake and 2 white ones for lighting. Little did I know that the lense would melt...! LOL. I am now looking for a true third brake light
 
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Old Aug 14, 2005 | 11:22 PM
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From: central valley California
87,,88,,,89,,,90,,,91,,,92,,,early 93 had a clear cargo light and late 93 -present have the brake cargo combo..

the most likely cause of failure for your light is the selector / dimmer switch and or the door pins.. I know that 87 model has a wire that leads from the internal cabin light to the cargo light...
 
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Old Aug 15, 2005 | 09:51 AM
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The internal cab light works, but the cargo light doesn't, clean contacts and new bulb. Not getting power to the connector, but I'm not worried about fixing it since I know it's just a cargo light.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2005 | 10:49 AM
  #7  
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The cargo light on my truck only comes on when you turn the light switch dimmer all the way counter clockwise; it doesn't come on when I open the door. Could this be what is happening on your truck?
 
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Old Aug 15, 2005 | 05:47 PM
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all my 88's were the same way. to turn on the cargo light, you use the dimmer on the light switch.
 
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