Brake lights fuse

KC1981423

MEMBER
2005 FORD ESCAPE
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
41,000 MILES

In the past 2 days, I have blown 2 fuses for the brake lights. They are 15amp fuses per the owners manual. When this fuse blows, the safety feature on the car does not allow you to take the car out of park, you can't shift the car into reverse, drive, etc. Why am I blowing this fuse? Do I have a bigger electrical problem somewhere else? I have blown the cigar lighter fuse before. I have not done anything electrical to the car except in 2007 I installed a trailer hitch/tow package but didn't have any problems with it nor have I towed anything in awhile.

Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 10:21 PM

4 Replies

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Trailer wiring has probably grounded check it out.

Here's a guide on using a voltmeter to check for continuity to ground

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Attached below is the wiring diagram for the exterior lights. It sounds like you already pretty much know whats on the circuit, but this will show you where what goes so you can test it all out

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 12:35 PM

KC1981423

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks for your reply docfixit. I will check that out. I have now consistantly blown the 15amp fuse in location # 6 (Center High-Mounted Stop lamp, Stop lamps, PCM, Anti-lock Brake System, Speed control, Brake On-Off switch) everytime I drive the car. It has no brake lights, however now I dont have a left turn signal, but the right turn signal still works fine even with the 15amp fuse being blown.

Does this sound more and more like my trailer hitch / towing package that was installed in 2007 by pep boys wiring is bad and has grounded causing the fuse to blow or is it possible that a relay fuse is bad? Thanks for your help.

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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 8:42 PM

DOCFIXIT