97 Ranger electrical question

[higgsfamily5]

Howdy everyone. I just bought a 97 Ranger with 130K and a 2.3 motor. It runs out awesome and looks good, but I have a question regarding the electrical. When you turn on the left turn signal, both the back right and left turn signals blink AND the brake lights blink. When you press on the brake pedal, both back turn signals and brake lights stop blinking and just stay. However, when you turn then right turn signal on, both the front and back turn signals work just fine. This is the weirdest thing I have ever seen and it has me baffled. Any thoughts on what might be causing this? Oh yeah, the dome lamp doesn't work either. The map lights work fine, but the dome light itself won't come on when either of the doors are open, and the bulb is fine. The guy who had it before me hit a deer on the left hand front quarter panel. It didn't do much damage, just cracked the grill, pushed the bumper back about an inch, and cracked the turn signal lens. Could it be the multifunction switch? I believe the brakes are all wired through that switch. I am wondering if anyone else has had this experience and if cleaning the switch good with electrical cleaner worked, or if the switch had to be replaced.

 

[Tbars4]

...I have never heard of this myself...:scratch:...I think your problem may be due to a quick repair or the initial damage your truck had recieved...

...It also could have shorted your GEM module or LOP (lamps out module).....I'm not sure but I think your trucks Gem controls the lamps out after about 40 minutes...

 

[higgsfamily5]

LOP and Gem module

Where can I find the LOP module and what is the GEM module? I haven't heard of these. Thanks for your feedback. Every bit helps

 

[Tbars4]

...Your best bet would be to do a search on here...My Gem for my 95 Ranger is in the dash to the left of the radio....

...I would first go thru all my fuses and relays to make sure they were good...I would also inspect the wiring around your left fender to see if they had been spliced...I think they may have been...

...Do you have any after market stereo or alarm system??? Do you have a Ford entry system?

 

[higgsfamily5]

No aftermarket stereo, no remote

Thanks, I'll do a search and inspect the wiring around the damage. There's no aftermarket stereo or keyless entry/alarm. I was searching the net and found someone who had a similar issue, and they were told to replace their multi-function switch because the brake lights are wired through there as well.

 

[Tbars4]

...I hope it's that easy for you, and that you will post your results...

 

[higgsfamily5]

I will definetely post my results once I have figured this whole thing out. I hope it's that easy too.

 

[higgsfamily5]

Okay, tonight after work I took the multi-function switch (MFS) off and tore it apart, cleaned all the extra grease out of it and put it back together and that wasn't the problem. I noticed that while the MFS was out that the brake lights and the front and rear left side turn signal bulbs would still light up when I stepped on the brake pedal. I thought these were wired through the MFS. So now I am wondering if it could possible be a bad brake light switch. I checked the wiring on the left side turn signal light where deer was hit and the wires are fine. Anyone have any other ideas? This weekend I will have time to check the GEM switch behind the radio. I'm going to go to the salvage yard and pick one up. I'm convinced that eventually through process of elimination I'll get it figured out. The only problem is that it's colder than you know what outside here in Michigan, and working in the weather for long periods of time really sucks. Any ideas....anyone.

 

[Tbars4]

...I would check the trailer wiring and from tail light to tail light..

...I believe this has nothing to do with your interior lights ...They are a seperate issue...