This is ridiculous...what the hell would cause the dome lamps to come on when I hit the brakes on this '92 E250? What's even worse, it's intermittent!

The Factory Service Manual doesn't address this problem, and I don't have the wiring diagram.

Condition #1: Depress brake pedal (brake lights activate), dome lights come on at about 50% brightness (engine on or off, doesn't matter).

Condition #2: Dome lights turned on manually with headlamp switch, depress brake pedal, rear dome light goes out, front dome light stays lit.

It seems this would suggest that there are some crossed wires somewhere, but two such distinctly different problems which are obviously related.

 

my first thought would be to look at the rear courtesy lamp wiring esp if you have a third brake light in the roof. it sounds like a ground is missing somewhere and the lamps are trying to ground thru the dome light wiring.

neil

 

Bingo! You hit the nail on the head, Neil.

The multi-pin connector housing was not fully plugged in where all of those wires come together at the 3rd brake light. Apparently the original owner had fussed with it at some point, and didn't push it together until the clip latched over. I was able to replicate the problem by partially unplugging the connector, so it looks like all is well.

Also, one of the brake lamp bulbs wasn't lighting, and just a little wiggling and now it's working too.

Thanks again for your help. (Also, I'll be ordering the multi-switch tomorrow, so that will be another nice fix coming up.)

 

well thanx for the thanx! one good thing about this list is that there are lots of folks who can help. i just happened to be the first one to answer.

as tp the brake lamp bulb, if it is in the third brake lite, you can carefully rebend the lamp contacts to provide a little more clamping action. and i spray them with Cramolin Red - a contact cleaner/lubricant found in electronics stores. excellent stuff!

neil

 

I was trying to delete my post but it keeps telling me I have to have ten characters to save.

 

Neverlast I'd post your particular situation in the Ranger forum---might get a few who have dealt with this same thing themselves.

While your issue is similar in description to Busstom's it deserves those more familiar with that vehicle reading and commenting.

After all we're hard pressed here just keeping our E-Series running!

 

deleting incorrect post for this thread.