Whenever I turn my bronco off all of the lights go off like they should except for the tail lights. I checked the bulbs and they do not seem to be the problem. When I disconnect the battery they go off like they should obviously. However, when I reconnect the battery they come on without the key in the ignition. The bulbs are extremely hot (too hot to even touch) meaning they are probably drawing a very high amount of current. One of the bulbs eventually burnt up and melted the coil in it. Ive checked the fuses and they all look good. Has anybody ever had this problem or know what the problem could be? Yalls input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
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Tail Light issues
- Thread starter cham1993
- Start date
Rustytruck
Bronco Guru
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2002
- Messages
- 10,875
More than likely its your brake light switch down at the brake peddle. Either the peddle isn't going all the way back or it mal adjusted on the end of the brake rod. wiggle it and see if the lights go out.
Thats what I originally thought it was so i went and readjusted it and that did not fix the problem. The bulbs go from 0 degrees to scolding hot within seconds of them coming on. Thanks for the response!
Its in the tail light element. The top portion of the assembly
CopperRanger
Bronco Guru
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2007
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- 1,795
The tail light bulb has two filaments in it, one for the running lights and one for the brake lights, take the taillight lens off and see if both filaments are on when you shut the truck off. Make sure the headlight switch is off.
When and did what you said. It is the bulb with two filaments. Only one of the filaments came on and it was the bottom filament. Any thoughts or ideas after hearing that?
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2003
- Messages
- 49,452
What year is your rig?
And is this Bronco seemingly wired pretty stock still? Or has it been re-wired or, less desirably, hacked up by previous owners?
FYI, neither of the tail light filaments are controlled by the key or a fuse in the fuse box on an Early Bronco, except with regard to the hazards/4-ways. Whether a running light or a brake light, the power initially comes through the headlight switch and at least one of those is protected with the integrated circuit breaker in the switch.
And to make matters worse, the brake lights go through the turn signal switch in the steering column too, because they have to be coordinated with each other.
And then there are those hazzards...
So, along with what the others have said, make sure the hazzard switch is pushed off, make sure that the turn signal switch is in the middle, and unplug the brake light switch at the pedal.
If the lights go out, then it's still the switch. And you may also have another issue of reversed wires/contacts or something that's putting power to the incorrect filament.
That's just a start I guess. Definitely a few things to check out still.
good luck
paul
And is this Bronco seemingly wired pretty stock still? Or has it been re-wired or, less desirably, hacked up by previous owners?
FYI, neither of the tail light filaments are controlled by the key or a fuse in the fuse box on an Early Bronco, except with regard to the hazards/4-ways. Whether a running light or a brake light, the power initially comes through the headlight switch and at least one of those is protected with the integrated circuit breaker in the switch.
And to make matters worse, the brake lights go through the turn signal switch in the steering column too, because they have to be coordinated with each other.
And then there are those hazzards...
So, along with what the others have said, make sure the hazzard switch is pushed off, make sure that the turn signal switch is in the middle, and unplug the brake light switch at the pedal.
If the lights go out, then it's still the switch. And you may also have another issue of reversed wires/contacts or something that's putting power to the incorrect filament.
That's just a start I guess. Definitely a few things to check out still.
good luck
paul
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2003
- Messages
- 49,452
I suppose you could also narrow it down slightly by disconnecting the connector under the hood for the rear harness. It's there in the driver's corner.
If you still have lights with that disconnected, then you have a fault that's getting power to the rear, but bypassing all the normal routing.
That's a real long-shot, and the most likely culprit is still the brake light switch (for the moment at least) but it's not impossible given the way some of our Broncos have been hacked by PO's.
Paul
If you still have lights with that disconnected, then you have a fault that's getting power to the rear, but bypassing all the normal routing.
That's a real long-shot, and the most likely culprit is still the brake light switch (for the moment at least) but it's not impossible given the way some of our Broncos have been hacked by PO's.
Paul
Appreciate all of the helpful advice guys! ended up figuring out what the problem was. The brake light switch had jammed up and the spring was not disengaging. Therefore, the contacts in the switch were constantly contacting. Just bought a new switch and everything is back to normal. Thank you for the help!
