Brake lights

Tiny
JPOHLMAN
  • MEMBER
  • FORD TAURUS
My brakes only turn on when I first aply the pressure, but after I get about half way through they cut out. This is a Ford, Taurus, 1996
Tuesday, February 20th, 2007 AT 10:07 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
BHUGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 157 POSTS
There might be an easy way to narrow it down.

The circuit for the brake lights goes from the brake pedal directly to the high brake light. To get the tail lights to work, the circuit runs through the multi-function switch.

Do you have a high/rear window brake light?

If you do, and it works OK, then you might have a problem with the multi-function switch.

If the high brake light does not work, then focus on the brake light switch on the brake pedal, or the fuse.

Try replacing the fuse. It is very rare, but there could be a problem where the fuse looks good, but under load, it could be a problem.

Find the fuse location by looking in your owners manual.

Look under the dash and find the switch attached to the brake pedal. Look for loose connections or wires that might be pinched or stretched when the pedal is depressed.

Happy Motoring
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Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 AT 1:02 AM
Tiny
CESAR LOMELI
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  • 30 POSTS
I had the same problem with one that had the same problem. The way I checked mine out was with a test light. First check your fuse box. Check to see if your fuse isn't going bad on you. Then locate the brake switch. There you have two wires going in. One is positive (direct current) and the other is neutral basically meaning theres no current yet until you press the pedal. Now put the test light on the side where theres no power going to the brake pedal. When you are pressing the pedal check to see if the current does'nt get cut off there. If it does get cut off as soon as you hit midway on the pedal then it is probably going to be your brake swith, that's what could be going bad on you. :)
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Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 AT 1:06 AM
Tiny
NOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 320 POSTS
If you have brake lights work and then not, chances are it is not a fuse. I would how ever suspect the brake light switch. They don't cost much. You can use a test light to check it should have power on one side and when you step on the peadle the other side should be hot. If you loose power when pushing it down more replace the switch. 8) NOS
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Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 AT 11:51 AM

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