High Brake Ballast on '95

[Ahef]

Yeap, my high brake light isn't working and I went to replace the bulbs to find out it is a fluorescent with a ballast! Also discovered the pain and expense it is to replace the light itself.

Therefore my first attempt will be to replace the ballast and see if that cures the problem. Therefore I am looking for a source for the ballast other than the dealer, they want ~$80 for the ballast alone.

I have considered junk yards but that always seem very time consuming by the time you actually get the part in your hand.

Any personal experience and advice on this would be much appreciated.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

There are many online parts stores such as www.carparts.com or www.fordpartsnetwork.com

 

[Ahef]

I have tried Carparts.com in the past to discover they are more expensive than locals!!

Have any of you simply replaced the ballast by itself to find that was the problem? I think this is the route I am going to take. I checked the voltage coming out of the ballast and got very little reading. I assume the voltage should be very high since it has warnings printed on it that indicate high voltage.

 

[Ahef]

Solved!

It was the ballast. My wife acquired one for $25 from the local junk yard and the light is now functional again.

BTW, she also called another local Ford dealer and they wanted $84.

Meanwhile, I hope the junkyard part holds up. She did get a 90 day warranty.