tail lights/panel brake lights dont work

1996 FORD ESCORT
140,000 MILES • 1.9L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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CANDI MARSICANO
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  • 4 POSTS
Got pulled over was told my panel brake lights were out. I have checked it out and yes the side brake lights work but not the center ones. I have checked the bulbs and they are in working order. When I turn on head lights the tail lights they do not come on either. I have checked fuses and that is good to. I do have a burnt out passenger side license plate light would that cause the middle panel lights to not work? What more could I check to see why they are not working?
Sep 14, 2016 at 1:01 PM
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TY ANDERSON
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 719 POSTS
Looks like there are three different kind of wiring schematics. Is your car the hatch back, the sedan or the wagon escort? Each one is wired differently so it'll help narrow this down.
Sep 14, 2016 at 1:48 PM
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CANDI MARSICANO
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  • 4 POSTS
Sedan type.
Sep 14, 2016 at 3:35 PM
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CANDI MARSICANO
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When I bought car three months ago my friend followed me and he told me today those lights were working and now they are not. Maybe something got knocked loose?
Sep 14, 2016 at 3:37 PM
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TY ANDERSON
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 719 POSTS
If both rear turn signals bulbs light up then I would check the "Tail" fuse its a blue 15A fuse under the driver side dash. If this fuse is not burnt then the next two parts to check is the relay. The relay in under the driver side dash above the fuse box. Then the headlight switch itself (I wouldn't suspect this switch if the front park or amber light turn on).

The only way to isolate this is to use a DC volt meter to see if power is getting through to the relay and switch assuming the light bulbs are good.

There is a chance their is a broken wire somewhere so I would have a mechanic search for this because it could be any any where from fuse box to the lights bulbs. Another likely spot is were the wire go to the lights in the middle on the trunk where the wire bend.
Sep 15, 2016 at 1:15 PM
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CANDI MARSICANO
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Thank you I will check these things. Good information to know.
Sep 16, 2016 at 2:56 AM
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