Electrical Problem
 

Wassup folks. I've got a weird electrical issue I can't seem to put my finger on. About a year and a half ago, I purchased a 1999 Ford Ranger EX cab V6, 3.0. It has been an outstanding truck, and I absolutely love it. However..I never looked into it before purchasing it to see if it was wrecked..flooded..or whatever. But maybe you can help me out, here's the issue

Whenever I drive the truck, it drives great. Anytime I apply the break, my radio lights dim a little, and so does the dash lights come on. (This is with the running lights turned off during the day) Turning on the blinker..my radio light dims with the clicking of the blinker. My blinker finally started working correctly, but sometimes seemed like it would short. I think I hit a good bump and it works good now. My break lights went out for a while, but when I hit a bump it returned, so I ended up putting some electrical tape on the connections close to the light, and no problems ever since..lol. So, thats the electrical issues with it. Everything works, just..weird..any advice would be appreciated.

Re: Electrical Problem
 

Mr Plumber - If you find out what's causing the problem, let me know. I have a 1994 Ranger, 6cyl. I just bought it and I noticed everytime I step on the brakes my dash lights come on as well as my front parking lights, and the radio light dims. Let off the brakes and they go out. It has me puzzled. Obviously an electrical problem and I'm thinking maybe the headlight switch is just bad.

Re: Electrical Problem
 

Find the trailer light harness in the back. $5 says it is all corroded to hell is causing your stop/tail/turn circuits to cross with the parking light circuit.

Re: Electrical Problem
 

You are a man of much wisdom FireRanger. Checked the towing wire harness last night (as a matter of fact I removed it). Put it all back together and everything works fine.
Thank you my friend:

Re: Electrical Problem
 

I have a brainteaser for someone out there. My tail lights work but when i brake the left taillight goes out completely. if the lights are off both brakelights work perfectly.:confused:

Re: Electrical Problem
 

some one hacked up the rear harness?, brake light positive is touching park light ground.. or vice versa

Re: Electrical Problem
 

I was gonna suggest check the battery/chassis grounds... never thought of the trailer harness. :o

Re: Electrical Problem
 

This is probably either corroded lightbulb sockets, a corroded trailer light connector, or hacked up wiring along the way. You'll have to trace it out manually.

It won't be the brake light shorting to ground, that would pop fuses.

Re: Electrical Problem
 

I have a 98 ranger, and mine has problems. My 4WD, interior light, and wipers work or don't work at the same time. Never knew these things had any wiring in common. I have replaced modules, cleaned and checked connections, but some common denominator is somewhere. Maybe Ford can look into these issues and set-up a recall.

Re: Electrical Problem
 

The majority of 12V problems come from a faulty ground circuit.When a circuit draws enuf current (2 bulbs lit) it needs more ground to get the juice back to the battery.this causes 1 lite to work instead of 2.

Re: Electrical Problem
 

If you have figured this out please let me know because I am having the same problem with my 1999 ford ranger xlt extended cab. Everything worked fine the last time I drove the truck and I got in it today and the windows, dome light, key dinger,4x4, and the windshield wipers dont work. Thanks.

Re: Electrical Problem
 

Have you opened your owners manual and checked the fuses that would apply to these devices? Those things are all on several different fuses though so it could be something else. Have added/modified/changed/wired anything in the cab?

Re: Electrical Problem
 

Hi All,
I am a first time Ranger owner. I picked up a 98 XLT for cheep money, and I also have an electrical issue. My 4-way flashers and directionals are not working. Neither is the radio. I replaced the flasher under the dash, but still no luck. Parking and tail lights work fine.

When I checked the fuses, they are fine. But on the radio, there is no power to the fuse at the side of the dash. I think I need to check the wires between the fuse panel to the battery. Anyone else have to do this? Is this common?

Thanks,
Kevin

Re: Electrical Problem
 

98 Ranger.. first power windows started having issues...only rolling up on occasion. Then windshield wipers started having same issues, as well as the dome light. No ding when keys are in ignition... probably more I am missing. Checked fuses and relay. I am guessing a short..maybe ground... Not really sure. I hate to have to get a new vehicle, but the windshield wipers not working cause a safety hazard. My check engine light stays on, but mechanics (went to several about this before other issues started) can't find what is causing it to stay on. I really would love to figure this out. Thanks in advance for any help or advice!!!

Re: Electrical Problem
 

I have electrical issues as well it seems. Power windows started having issues...only rolling up on occasion. Then windshield wipers started having same issues, as well as the dome light. No ding when keys are in ignition... probably more I am missing. Checked fuses and relay. I am guessing a short..maybe ground... Not really sure. I hate to have to get a new vehicle, but the windshield wipers not working cause a safety hazard. My check engine light stays on, but mechanics (went to several about this before other issues started) can't find what is causing it to stay on. I really would love to figure this out. Thanks in advance for any help or advice!!!