brake lights out

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Jun 8, 2009 | 07:32 PM

scootyg69

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 83

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From: Ashburnham, ma

brake lights out

Here is the scenario. I towed an equipment trailer from mass to virginia without problems, unhooked and headed to a school I am attending. Today I am heading down the road and someone is nice enough to tell me my brake lights are out. So I pull into an auto zone to check out the bulbs. when I put the hazard lights on only the passenger side front light blinks, the other 3 are out. I check the bulbs and replace them anyway.... nothing, so I put in a heavy duty flasher.... nothing. I turn the key on and the turn signals work but no brake lights. So I change the brake switch at the pedal....nothing. So I am 600 miles from home and have to drop this thing off at ford, I have to tow that equipment trailer north with a 8000lb gamma goat on friday. does anyone have suggestions? The brake lights and hazards did work on the way down, I checked everytime I fueled up(out of habit).

Jun 9, 2009 | 12:15 AM

wallz

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 2,566

Likes: 18

From: The Great White North!

Sounds like the it could be the wiring coming from the master brake cylinder. Here is a thread recently that is the same issue. I bet that if you checked your cruise control it is not working.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...n-for-you.html

Jun 9, 2009 | 01:05 AM

BMWM1

Tuned

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 322

Likes: 2

Any chance that part of the plug is shorting out where you pluged into for the trailer? Id start my way back from the tail light till I get power. Good luck that sucks being on the road but hopefully wallz fix works for you

Jun 9, 2009 | 07:05 AM

SBastow

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 261

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From: Erie,Pa

Sounds like the brake light switch. My switch went about 3-4 weeks ago. Same scenario as you described.

Jun 9, 2009 | 08:19 AM

toypuller

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 296

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Check the fuses in the power distribution box. It is under the hood on the driver's side.

There are redundant fuses for towing in that box.

The trailer most likely had a short in a brake light and that tripped the fuse. Get your owners manual and it should say exactly what fuse it is.

Jun 9, 2009 | 10:29 AM

RedBoat

Rather Be Floatin

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,468

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From: Marble Falls, Tx.

Did you check the fuse for the brake lights? There is a specific fuse for the brake lights Check you owners manual for the fuse number.

Jun 9, 2009 | 11:26 AM

scootyg69

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 83

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From: Ashburnham, ma

so I was able to drop it off last night at the ford dealership down here in va and got the call this morning, the multi-function switch went bad, so being a sailor I asked what the !@#k is a multi-function switch, the reply was your turn signal/high beam/wiper switch. I'll have it back this afternoon. I also asked them to check that switch at the master cylinder, guy in my class said a few years ago there was a story about it causing fires, that would have made my whole week, looking for a new truck! Thanks for the replies and help. Who would have figured that switch would cause the brake lights to go out but the turn signals would still work? I would have never figured that one out.