94 Mercury Tracer keeps blowing stoplight fuse. Help!

GOTTAKEEPMOVIN'

MEMBER
1994 MERCURY SABLE

Over the last 2 days, I have been plagued by troubleshooting this car's brake light problem. The stoplight fuse keeps blowing when the brake pedal is pressed. I have disconnected the lights altogether via their inline connectors in the trunk (both stop lights have burnt out in the last 2 days as well. And have been replaced), and pressing the brake pedal still blows the fuse. When I disconnected the connector from the stoplight switch on the brake pedal, the fuse did not blow (of course). Suspecting a possible internal short on the stoplight switch, I replaced it, and pressed the brake pedal BEFORE I reconnected the brake lights. Again, the fuse blew. With the brake lights disconnected, I am at a loss as to what would cause the fuses to keep blowing. Uinless the neutral safety switch is to blame. This same fuse disables the transmission release button on the shifter, keeping the car from coming out of park. Any suggestions at this point would be greatly, greatly appreciated!

Monday, September 4th, 2006 AT 5:10 PM

2 Replies

CHRYSLER300GUY

MEMBER
18 POSTS

I strongly suggest getting an engine diagnostics test done by a certified ASE Technician that does NOT work for or at a dealership. You will usually get better and more honest results by visiting a "NON-COMMISSIONED" ASE Technician. It will take a little research but it will pay off in the end saving you money and time.

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Saturday, September 9th, 2006 AT 4:07 PM

NOS

MECHANIC
320 POSTS

Try this first. This is going to be a process of a limination
1. Disconnect the connector from the brake light switch use a small jumper wire put in a new fuse and bulbs if needed jumper the connector if it blows the fuse that right there tells you switch is not bad.
2. Next go to rear of car find which side wires run down which side of car. Follow the wires and look for another connector unplug it and make sure there is no corrsion in the plug. Also check the wire in the trunk real careful we all know things get thrown in there jacks and such and that can nick a wire. What you got is power going to a ground. Once you have checked these things. Leave the plug disconnected jumper the plug under the dash again with new fuse of course if it blows again then you know for sure it is not in the lights in the back.
3. Ok now you have it narrowed down. Thoes wires usualy run down along the side of the carpet pull the cill plates usualy #2 phillps head screw driver unless torx. Check thoes wires real good. One of thoes screws may have chaffed the wire going from the brake light switch back and when you step on the brake it is sending the power to ground blowing the fuse. Hopes this helps better than going to a shop when you can check it yourself. (NOS) 8)

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Tuesday, September 12th, 2006 AT 8:37 PM