00 Ranger brake lites on

[ClutchCargo24]

For no apparent reason, my Ranger keeps the brake lights on, and the turn signals will not work when the headlight sw. is on or in parking lite position. I have replaced the MFS and one of the connectors that was a little melted, thinking that would cure the problem, but no luck. Any ideas where I should look next, and what to look for?
Thx

 

[koda2000]

have you checked your brake light switch? although, if it's sticking it doesn't explain why your turn signals don't work when the headlights/parking lights are on.

 

[ClutchCargo24]

Actually, the right side turn signal works with the headlights on, but the left bulb will brighten, but not flash. The whole time the headlights are on, all three brake lights are blazing. I have checked the LH turn/tail/parking light sockets front and rear, but see no problems.
Just for the hell of it, I will unplug the brake light switch to see if anything changes.
Thx

 

[koda2000]

it sounds like your brake light switch is stuck in the on (depressed) possition.

check to make sure you have the correct bulb number in the left side or try switching the left and right bulbs to see if it makes any difference. also, bulbs dim with age evening getting a chrome-like appearance on the inside of the glass. if so, replace them.

 

[ClutchCargo24]

Disconnecting the brake light switch had no effect. New clue found though. Can anyone tell me what the #11 relay in the electrical dist. box under the hood does? I have found that if I pull this relay out my problem goes away, but I assume that removing this relay may be disabling something else, not sure what. Other relays in box are the same, so I tried swapping them to see if relay was bad, but it did not change anything. The bulbs look ok, have found 2 small amber marker type bulbs that had chrome look and changed them, but no change.
Thx

 

[koda2000]

that's strange. that relay must have something (or perhaps everything) to do with the brake lights staying on, but if it's not being energized by the brake pedal switch where is the power to turn it on coming from? the other systems that interact with the brake light functions are the 4-way flashers and the turn signals. as you've mentioned your turn signals are not functioning at 100% that probably has something to do with it. are the brake lights staying on even with the key off?

i checked the owner's manual for my '01 explorer, regarding relay #11, but the explorer dist box does not show a relay in locaton #11. only a fuse.

 

[ClutchCargo24]

brake lite issues

I was mistaken on the relay number, it was actually #13, and is for the trailer lights connection. I think I have a short in the wiring going to the coupler, but by removing the relay I have all the lights working properly. When my work slows down I will spend more time looking at the wires back there, so if I need to pull a trailer I can be legal.
Thanks for the help, great site!