2001 Ford Escort Lower Brake Lights Not Working

FORDZX2

MEMBER
2001 FORD ESCORT
2.0L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

I have a 2001 Ford Escort ZX2, why won't the lower brake lights work but the high-mount does? I replaced the brake light switch and the stop light fuse is okay. I also replaced the turn signal switch after seeing a video on YouTube with an Econoline van that had the same problem. Turn signals okay and all running lights work, hazard lights work fine too. All bulbs are good. No damage to car and car is clean (not wet or rusty). One day all brake lights were working and the next day just the lower brake lights stopped working. All of my repairs thus far have failed to fix the problem.

Friday, November 14th, 2014 AT 8:37 PM

3 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

The two rear lightcircuits pass through the electronic flasher before going to the rear lights. After that they individually pass through separate areas of the central junction box (fuse box). Since they pass through separately, it is unlikely that the junction box is effecting both so the odds are with the electronic flasher under the dash on the driver's side.

Make sure you haven't overlooked the basics like bulbs and connectors.

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Saturday, November 15th, 2014 AT 5:29 AM

FORDZX2

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hello Wrenchtech,

I apologize for the long delay in responding to the solution of my problem. As you suggested it was the flasher unit that was the culprit. It sits above and behind the fuse panel under the driver’s side of the IP. I found one in a junkyard for $5!

Thanks again for your honest help,

Patrick

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Sunday, December 21st, 2014 AT 2:43 PM

WRENCHTECH