1997 Ford Ranger

I have an electrical problem that seems to be only associated with the lights in the left rear light cluster. The only light that works is the back-up light. The tail light, brake light and turn signal do not work. when the left directional signal is on, the front turn light and the dash indicator flash very rapidly. All other lights seem to work ok. If anyone has insight into this problem, I would really like to hear it. Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

 

Ok looks like no one wants to go here. The first thing i would do is look at the wiring back there. I saw so many cobbled up trailer plugs done at home with poor connectors that water gets into and corrodes. If looks good,look at the bulbs next. I have seen that happen when the elements cross each other or the wrong ones are in. Corrosion of the connections, and a torn off or dirty ground will do that. The switch and flasher are probably ok.

 

Most the time when a flasher flashs fast it's a bulb out.... But since you have more happening it may be something else.....

 

You did check the bulbs, right? both can be burnt.

 

isnt the tail light, brake light, and flasher the same bulb??? if so replace it as a start and while your there make sure the socket isnt cerroded and the ground is hoolked up if it still doesnt work...well a test light and a buddie to turn the turn signal and push the brake is gunna be needed....

Josh

 

Yes some rigs share a single bulb, some have two or more. The problem is the same. The juice is only 12 v DC and needs undamaged, uncorroded ,Complete circuit.

 

yes im well aware but if all three dont work and they are in reality the same bulb...wellll id check the bulb first 9 times outa well 9 its gunna be the bulb or the socket.. unless of corse it has aftermarket this or trailor hitch that or accedent here..

josh

 

Whoever said check the trailer wiring, good job.

I've seen this happen a ton of times. What is happening is that the hot leg for the brake/turn signal lamp is grounding out. The flasher in the fuse box actually takes the incoming hot leg, and crosses it to the ground. Once the thin strip of metal inside gets hot, it will actually bend away from the ground, and touch the "outgoing" leg, which carries on to your turning lamps. Since the outgoing leg is getting a ground somewhere else, it causes that "thin piece of metal" to get hot much rapidly, and causes it to flash as it is. This is also why no matter what "flasher" assembly you put into your fuse box, it will always flash at the same pace. The amount of amps that the lights draw indicate how quickly/slowly it will flash.

Nonetheless, if you have trailer wiring, check it. Mine grounded out on the frame rail many times. If you dont have trailer wiring, check the harness from front to back. It should be wrapped in that plastic protection wrap, but it is possible that a wire made its way out.

Another case could be that the bulb in the housing could be bad. I've had bulbs blow circuit breakers inside houses because of a factory defect. Could be something as simple as a piece of metal inside the bulb which has grounded out the hot leg.

Sorry for writing a book here, but check the bulb by either putting a new one in, or trying it in the right side. If the right side does the same thing the left side is doing now, replace the bulb. If it works in the right side, then check the socket for the bulb, and then check wiring from there forward.