Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

brake light failure ford explorer

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 12:55 PM
  #1  
logan142's Avatar
logan142
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
brake light failure ford explorer

My brake lights includeing the high-mount light all went out. I checked the fuses the all seemed ok. Any other suggestions?
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 01:15 PM
  #2  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
replace the fuse anyway.

it might be the brake switch.

check to make sure if you have a fuse in the power dist. box for your year model truck.

check your owners manual.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 02:27 PM
  #3  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
What are you driving? Any problems shifting out of park? If the brake light switch is bad, it wont shift.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 02:36 PM
  #4  
logan142's Avatar
logan142
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I have 97 explorer xlt automatic. yeah, i couldn't get it out of park until i looked in the manual about the brake-shift interlock and how to avoid that. is the brake light switch an easy fix?
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 03:13 PM
  #5  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Dont know about a 97 Ex, but on most cars it's a simple 5 minute job to replace it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 03:44 PM
  #6  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
replace the fuse first.

a seperate fuse works the 3rd brakelight and the fuse that works the other brake lights also controls the cruise control, anti lock brakes and the 4 wheel drive.

you have had to step on the brake pedal since the early 80's in most vehicles.

you have never driven any other vehicle that needed you to step on the brakes to get out of park?
 

Last edited by quicklook2; Mar 5, 2007 at 03:52 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 04:28 PM
  #7  
MisterCMK's Avatar
MisterCMK
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Meter out the fuse to verify that it is functional. Chen meter out the brake light switch for continuity. Jump the brake light switch with a jumper and see if the brake lights turn on.

My Explorer doesn't require you to stop on the brakes to get out of park. I'm sure that its not supposed to be like that, but it doesn't bother me at all.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 04:34 PM
  #8  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
it is not that hard to disconnect on most vehicles.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 04:45 PM
  #9  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
From the factory wring diagrams this is how it's wired.

The one and only thing thats wired to interior fuse 13 is the brake light switch.

The brakelight switch is spliced all over the place: brake lights/shift lock solenoid/cruise control servo, etc etc.

If fuse 13 is not blown, then the brake light switch needs to be replaced.
 

Last edited by 87 XLT; Mar 5, 2007 at 04:47 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 05:23 PM
  #10  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
fuse number 13 in the interior fuse box, a 15 amp fuse, controls according to the ford owners manual:

pcm system
stoplamps
4 wheel drive
anti-lock brake
speed control
trailer tow
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 05:30 PM
  #11  
MisterCMK's Avatar
MisterCMK
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Originally Posted by 87 XLT
If fuse 13 is not blown, then the brake light switch needs to be replaced.
Test the switch with a DVOM before throwing parts at it...
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 05:36 PM
  #12  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
maybe the second time you say this it will have the desired effect.

i agree to test before throwing parts at the problem.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 05:43 PM
  #13  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Quicklook, thats exactly right but all those items are powered from the brake light switch. They only have voltage to them when the brakes are applied.

As you said earlier this could be a blown fuse.

Logan take another look at interior fuse 13.

Is it blown??
 

Last edited by 87 XLT; Mar 5, 2007 at 05:47 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 06:15 PM
  #14  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
i would check in this order: fuse, taillight bulb, brake switch.

it is probably the brake switch that is the culprit.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 06:32 PM
  #15  
MisterCMK's Avatar
MisterCMK
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Originally Posted by 87 XLT
Quicklook, thats exactly right but all those items are powered from the brake light switch. They only have voltage to them when the brakes are applied.

As you said earlier this could be a blown fuse.

Logan take another look at interior fuse 13.

Is it blown??
They are on the same circuit. You are over analyzing this, a simple check with the DVOM will determine whether or not the switch is bad.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:34 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE