Ford Ranger Third Brake Light Not Working: Fix It Now!
One of the most widespread problems for the Ford Ranger is a malfunctioning third brake light. If you’re currently dealing with this problem, we have come up with this guide to help you understand why it occurs and how to fix it.
Ford Ranger third brake light not working is mostly caused by a blown bulb. It can also be a result of a bad fuse or relay, brake light connection problems, or bad wiring leading to this brake light.
This article will help you solve the problem of your truck light failing to illuminate when you press the brakes. We will discuss all the potential causes of the Ford Ranger third brake light not working and what to do if this happens.
Ford Ranger Third Brake Light Not Working Common Causes
If your Ford Ranger third brake light is not working, many potential culprits could be behind this problem. Below, we take a look at the most common causes of this problem.
Bad bulb
Probably the most common cause for the 3rd brake light on your ford ranger not to come on is a blown bulb. The bulb is usually on the same circuit as the primary brake lights.
If the normal brake lights are working but the 3rd brake light is not, its bulb is probably burned out.
Therefore, the first place to check is whether your bulb has burned out. If the filament inside appears broken or the bulb appears blackened, simply replace it with a new one.
Bad wiring
If the bulb is okay, then you may have a wiring issue causing the brake light to malfunction. Check the wiring that leads to the third brake light for signs of physical damage, e.g. fraying.
Does the cable have any visible cuts, signs of wear, or exposed wires? In case of any damages, be sure to repair/replace the wire as necessary.
Loose or corroded connections
Any bad connection (loose or corroded connections) for the third brake light can also cause the brake light to stop working.
Closely examine all the connections and ensure they’re secure and corrosion-free. You may also consider cleaning all the contacts and then reconnecting them.
Blown fuse or relay
Another reason why the brake light is not working may be due to a blown fuse or a bad relay related to the third brake light.
In case you find a blown fuse, simply replace it with a new one that has the same rating as the old one. If the relay is faulty, you will need to replace it.
The fuse for the third brake light is separate from that of the lower brake lights. If you’re not sure which fuse to check, consult your user manual
What To Do If Your Ford Ranger Third Brake Light Is Not Working
If your Ford Ranger third brake light isn’t working, there are a few steps you can take to find out what is causing the light to fail.
- The first step is to check if the bulb is blown. If the bulb has burned out, buy a replacement bulb that works for your Ford Ranger model and test if it’s working.
- Try swapping the current bulb with a new one and see if it works. Even if the bulb doesn’t look blown, it could still be burned out.
- If the light doesn’t come on, next you’d want to inspect the wiring and connections leading to the 3rd brake light. They should all be secure and free from corrosion. Clean and reconnect them as necessary.
- Next, you should inspect if the fuse or relay related to your center high mount stop lamp are faulty and replace them with new ones.
- Don’t forget to check all the wires connecting to the brake light for any signs of fraying or damage and replace them as necessary.
If you have tried all the above problems and none of them seems to solve your problem, take your car to a mechanic for expert diagnosis and repair.
How To Replace Ford Ranger Third Brake Light Bulb
If you’re doing the ford ranger third brake light bulb replacement on your own, here are the steps to follow to do it correctly:
Step 1. Ensure you have the correct tools. The key tools here include the replacement bulb and a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 2. Assuming you already know the brake light location, get down unscrewing the housing. Note that the number of screws and placement may vary depending on your Ford Ranger model.
Step 3. Gently pull the housing away from your car to expose the faulty bulb. Twist the bulb socket anti-clockwise to unlock it from its housing.
Step 4. Remove the old bulb and replace it with a new one. Lock the socket back in its place
Step 5. Now reattach the bulb housing and secure it using the screws you removed in Step 2. Avoid over tightening the housing. Keep it snug.
Step 6. Test the new bulb. Have someone sit in the driver’s seat and press the brake pedal while you stand at the rear of your truck. If the light comes on when the pedal is pressed, you did the installation correctly.
Here’s a video on how to replace your Ford Ranger 3rd brake light bulb
Video:
Why Is Your 3rd Brake Light Not Working After Replacing The Bulb?
Another common problem you may experience is your third brake light not working even after bulb replacement.
If you’re in the same situation, there are several other potential causes to check as outlined below:
- First, you’d want to confirm if you did your bulb installation correctly. Ensure the bulb is correctly inserted in the socket. Ensure it is locked in place and properly aligned.
- Next, you should inspect your bulb socket and connections for signs of damage, loose connections, or corrosion and clean them as necessary.
- Use a multimeter to ensure the power reaches the bulb when you press the brake pedal, if no power is coming through, a wire or brake lighting switch could be the problem.
- Now check the fuses and relays if they’re blown or faulty and replace them to see if this solves the problem.
If none of the above tips helps solve the problem, it’s time to get an auto technician to diagnose your car and solve the issue for you.
Where Is The Fuse For The Brake Lights On A Ford Ranger?
If you suspect a blown fuse for brake lights could be the reason behind the brake light not coming on, you may want to look at the fuses to confirm.
But where exactly is the fuse located?
In most cases, the fuse box is located inside your car, right under the driver’s side on the dash, and sits next to the steering column. To access the fuses, you’ll need to take off a square or rectangular cover.
When inspecting the fuse box, we advise you to pull each fuse separately to inspect it.
Alternatively, you can refer to your owner’s manual to help you easily identify the fuse related to your truck’s third brake light.
Also, if you’re not sure about the location of fuses for brake lights on your Ford Ranger, consult your manual or a qualified auto technician to help you out.
Does The Third Brake Light On Ford Ranger Have To Work?
Yes! A third brake light on Ford Ranger is quite crucial as it provides you with an extra signal to distracted drivers. Studies have shown that this helps significantly reduce automobile accidents.
According to this article published by American Physiological Association, distracted driving killed 3300+ people and injured a staggering 421000+ people in 2012 alone.
Mind you, this brake light may also be a legal requirement in your area of jurisdiction. This is another reason to have a functioning third brake light on your truck.
The Federal regulations in the US also require that motor vehicles manufactured with the third brake light as well as all the other stop lamps should be steadily burning whenever they’re activated. (Source).
How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Ford Ranger 3rd Brake Light?
Ford Ranger third brake light bulb replacement ranges from $50 to $150. The price can vary depending on a variety of factors such as:
- Your specific Ford Ranger model
- Size and type of bulb
- Your location, and
- Whether you’ll do the replacement yourself or will hire a professional
If you’re doing the replacement yourself, you just need to get the replacement bulb from your local auto parts shop. You can also order it from an online retailer. The bulb can range from $10 to $30, depending on the quality and brand.
However, if you get an auto electrician to do it for you, the cost will definitely go higher due to bulb cost plus labor charges. In this case, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $150. Labor charges vary depending on your location and auto shop.
However, keep in mind that the above figures are just approximations and the actual price is subject to the factors we mentioned above.
If you’re experiencing issues with your Ford Ranger’s third brake light not working, it’s worth exploring similar problems with other vehicles. You can learn more about this issue by reading our articles on the GMC Sierra third brake light not working and the Jeep Gladiator 3rd brake light not working. These articles provide insights into common causes and potential solutions for a malfunctioning third brake light. By understanding how this issue manifests in different vehicles, you can gain a broader perspective on troubleshooting and resolving the problem. Feel free to explore these resources for more information and guidance.FAQs:
Yes, the third brake light is important as the primary brake light as it offers additional visual cues to the drivers behind you that you are slowing down or coming to a stop.
The Ford Ranger’s third brake light bulb size is usually expressed as a 921 or W16W bulb. This is simply a wedge base bulb with T10 or T5 design. To confirm the correct size of 3rd brake light bulb for your specific truck model, be sure to consult your user manual, local auto parts store, or authorized Ford dealer.
You can tell if your 3rd brake light is working by having someone stand at the rear of your car and observe it while you press the brake pedal. If the light illuminates when the pedal is pressed, it’s in good working condition.
Conclusion
This article has just discussed all the potential causes of the Ford Ranger’s third brake light not working. By following this guide, you can easily figure out why your truck’s third brake light isn’t working and give suggestions on how to fix the problem. Most of the time, the problem is caused by a burned-out bulb which you just need to replace with a new one.
If the bulb is not the problem, other likely causes include bad wiring leading to the brake light, loose or corroded connectors, and a blown fuse or relay. If you can’t figure out what is causing your car’s third brake light to come on, we advise you to have an auto mechanic diagnose your car and fix the underlying issue.