The 3rd brake light on my friend's 1998 Explorer constantly flickers when the truck is not running. Is there a quick fix or a way to disconnect the 3rd brake light?
Thanks

 

On the 1998 the ballast for the third brake light is on the same circuit, activated by the same stop lamp switch, as the "normal" brake lights. I'd say you either have a ground issue for the ballast or the ballast itself has issues.

-Rod

 

There should be a fuse for just the center brake light.

 

Not according to the factory service manual for a 1998 Explorer. Fuse 13 (20A) in the instrument panel fuse panel (I./P FP) provides power through half the stop light switch to the RH and LH stop lamps, the ballast for the third brake light, and the Remote Anti-theft Personality (RAP) module. This circuit is also tied to the Multifunction Switch (MFS) to provide power to the trailer wiring harness for braking. A second pole in the stop light switch provides a signal to the Generic Electronic Module (GEM) from a separate fused circuit, fuse 3 (7.5A) in the I/P FP.

-Rod

 

Well I see ip fuse 13 has stayed the same as on my 97, but on m 97 the BOO switch feeds a splice one leg of which is to IP fuse 2 & then on to the ballast.

I'm surprised that they would eliminate that fuse on the 98.

 

Check and make sure both brake light bulbs are on. Found both burn out on my 98, replaced them and everything was ok.

 

The brake pedal switch is permitting a very small amount of current to pass through. Not enough to illuminate the normal brake lamps but just enough to cause the LEDs to flicker.Replace the pedal switch.

 

On the 1998 Explorer the third brake light is a fluorescent bulb with a ballast, not an LED. I don't think a small leakage current would be enough to cause the bulb to illuminate.

Graygeorge has a good point, the OP needs to make sure the regular brake light bulbs work properly. Also if the vehicle has trailer wiring installed and the installer spliced in to the factory wiring rather than plugging in to the trailer connector under the driver's taillight, I'd be focusing my attention on the splices.

-Rod

 

I had an accident like a month ago. We had really bad snow.........
No I have the 3rd brake light flicker & my theft light now blinks
when the car is NOT armed!

Ideas?????

 

Welcome to the forum!

What year is your Explorer, and where was the damage? If the rear, the 3rd brake light probably flickers from an intermittent connector or a faulty ground.

The Theft light probably always blinked, you just didn't notice it before. It's often not a function of the doors even being locked, just the keys being out of the ignition and the doors closed.

-Rod