Hi
I have a 1999 ford ranger 2 wheel drive manual 3.0l engine.

My break lights stopped working. All the other lighs work. Back up, signal's, and tail lighs all work. The third light above the window also works.



I have checked fuses and they all work, i have replaced the combination switch on the steering column and the break light switch. So we know all those things work...



I now believe we have a bad wire, how do I go about figuring out where it is? Im starting at the battery and working form there. How do i test if there is power getting to my break light switch?*



Also, i tried to test at the fuse box in the cab but when i use the multimeter i don't get any readings, does anyone know what the voltage at my fuse box slot 9 (break position sensor) show be?*



Thanks for any help...

Go to the back end where the light wires plug togather, check for a bad or loose connection, you didn't mention brake light bulbs.

Hi, i mentioned the back up lighs work. So i know the bulbs r fine! There r no obvious bad or loose connections. Ive been under the truck checking all connections that i can find and nothing is loose or frayed. Is there a hidden connection I would not be able to see?

Im trying to verify if power is even making it to the fuse box or the break switch.

BRAKE

You said the third BRAKE light is working. So anything involved with triggering the BRAKE lights is fine. Otherwise the third BRAKE light would not be coming on. Obviously the power and on signal is there, it is just not making it back to the BRAKE lights on the bed. The bad wire has to be post triggering switch.

Also, the back up lights would use an entirely different bulb (the back up lights are white, and the brakes lights red?), so the back up lights working does nothing to show that the BRAKE light bulbs are good.

It's probably the brake pedal switch. Mine was worn at the contact. You can pull out the connector and test for power coming in and it is always hot. Probably the green wire with a red tracer that connects to the green wire. You could also run a jumper wire between them both to turn it on That's why your brake lights work even with truck power off. The switch connects there at the pedal and then travels back to the brake light.Make sure if you do any fuse box readings you don't stick the probes into the socket and separate the prongs or you will have a dead circuit because the fuse won't complete it.

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2004 Ford Ranger 2.3L 112"WB LX Single Cab 5 Speed
Original owner 125,000 mi.

Since he said the third brake light works, it is obviously not the switch.

since signal lights work wiring from front of truck is good because signals and brakes is a common circuit. Problem has to be inside the cab. Assuming multifunction switch is ok(replaced?) Check brakes wiring going and leavening multifunction switch. Would also check if you have a trailer wire hookup at back of truck for brakes signal there.

I would also check the main harness plug that links the body to the rear of the truck. Big plug underneath the driver seat under the truck, should have a bolt through the center of it to keep it plugged in. Those are prone to collecting moisture over time and potentially corroding. I would check that plug as well, clean as necessary, and add some dielectric grease.

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2001.5 2.3 213xxx and counting
M501-HD L154 Manual
Don't bother looking for 1st gear synchros, I bought the last one