1999 Windstar brake lights not working

homedepot · 12-02-2007, 07:50 PM

Need help!!

About 4 months ago the passenger brake light went out. Not being able to figure it out after checking light bulbs and fuses, I bridged the driver side light to the passenger side and it worked fine until today (somone almost rearended me). The center (door) brake light works fine. Also the license plate lights died about a month ago. All driving lights, turn signal lighs and headlights work fine.

This does not make sense, but I saw a post that is over a year old with the same problem and a suggestion was to check and see if the jack had damaged any wiring. I checked the jack compartment and saw no visible damage to any wiring, in fact I took out the jack for the first time ever.

Can anyone HELP!!!!

I thank you in advance,

Alex.

Flyingjackal456 · 12-02-2007, 11:24 PM

hmmm, I can suggest a few things. I would check the fuses again, expecially # 7, 9, 11, 25, 27, and 41.

Next thing, make sure all of the bulbs are the correct type and size, and make sure they are seated properly. I also recommend cleaning the bulb sockets. get some electrical cleaner and make sure the socket (where each bulb goes in) is clean. Now also check to make sure all of the wires at each socket are firmly attached to the socket (also no frayed wires).

After you do that, put the bulbs back in and test, this is the basic step to begin with. Please write back.

mark v · 12-03-2007, 09:19 AM

What he said.

I also think you have a bad connection on your brake light harness on the drivers side of the vehicle. It is located behind the drivers side tail light area.

homedepot · 12-03-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyingjackal456

hmmm, I can suggest a few things. I would check the fuses again, expecially # 7, 9, 11, 25, 27, and 41.

Next thing, make sure all of the bulbs are the correct type and size, and make sure they are seated properly. I also recommend cleaning the bulb sockets. get some electrical cleaner and make sure the socket (where each bulb goes in) is clean. Now also check to make sure all of the wires at each socket are firmly attached to the socket (also no frayed wires).

After you do that, put the bulbs back in and test, this is the basic step to begin with. Please write back.

Flyingjackal456 & Mark V, thanks for your replys.

I checked the fuses and they are all ok other than 27 being empty (no contacts on socket) and did not find 41. This model does not have the rear A/C

I pulled the light bulbs and they are correct type and there was nothing to clean on the sockets as they were spotless. I noticed that the contacts on the new light bulbs get a little stratch/rub when inserting them, so there is a good contact. All wires are well seated and saw no loose wires. I also checked the harness behind the drivers tail light and there is no connection there. It just runs through.

What is puzzeling is that this happened with no significant event. They just stopped working. First the passenger's side and then the driver's side. I guest the rear gate is next.

Question: Is there a wire contact or harness plug anywhere outside the vehicle or do all wires run on the floor boards? Do these lights cercuits have anything to do with the ABS system? The ABS light comes on after a few minutes of driving, although not always.

BTW the red brake light did come up a couple of times and went off before we found out that the "corner" brake lights were out. The reservoir was at the Min mark, so I added some fluid. Still the lights are not working.

I appreciate your answers. Thank you.

Alex.

mark v · 12-03-2007, 02:12 PM

Check your brake light switch that is attached to your brake pedal. Jump the 2 wires and see if your brake lights are back on, first return your wiring job you did on your tail lights back to stock.

homedepot · 12-03-2007, 04:16 PM

Mark the pedal switch is working since the center brake light works fine. The car is currently back to stock.

Thank you.

Alex.

Flyingjackal456 · 12-03-2007, 05:14 PM

yeah, c'mon mark pay attention to detail

If applicable, see if your trailer lighting kit works correctly. I cannot look at any specific wiring diagrams, so I'm working off of 1998 diagrams, you better pray that Ford didn't go on a joyride with wiring for the 1999 WS

You know my trailer brake lights stopped working (i literally have at least 2 trailer lighting kits installed) one is completely dead, and the other only has the tail lights. a possible relation??? (Luckily my brake lights still work)

homedepot · 12-04-2007, 07:42 AM

Flyingjackal456 that is a great idea. I will check on that trailer light and see if I can splice to it. My last resort would be to tap on the center brake light.

Is there a "brain" that controls the lighthing on windstars? I mean, there is a light on the dashboard that tells you when a light burns out. Where is that "brain" that senses problems in the system? In the old days if you burned a turn light, it would blink faster, but they don't do that anymore. So there has to be some kind of sensor or computer to control that. If there is one, that is probably my problem.

If you think of anything else, I would like to hear it. I will post on my progress later today or tomorrow, but I'll be watching for any more postings on the subject.

Thanks.

Flyingjackal456 · 12-04-2007, 09:10 PM

please, if your going to tap the center light, get a couple relays and run a wire from the battery to the back to feed the lights. NEVER power multiple lights of one stock lead. Use a relay and power the lights through a separate wire.

Of course rewiring your brake lights is a LAST RESORT, try to find out what is broken and fix it properly before you modify any wiring.

homedepot · 12-05-2007, 03:58 PM

Ok, got my old tester and started doing some investigating. Grounded one end and stuck the probe on the socket and it went ON! with everything turned off. The socket has 3 wires, one positive, and one negative for the brake light and one negative for the running/driving light. If I bridge the positive (read allways hot) to the driving light with the tester and turn on, it lights up the tester, if I do the same with the break light (negative) and depress the brake pedal, it does nothing.

I grounded the tester on a bolt under the dashboard and with the probe I poke one of the wires on the brake pedal switch and pushed the pedal and it went on. That means that what goes out of the switch is positive, but what is expected at the socket is negative. What gives?

Question 1. Is there a relay that sends negative electricity to the brake light socket?
Question 2. if no. Is there anything between the brake pedal switch and the socket?

Thanks a bunch.

Alex.