No brake lights on my 91

[smccprez]

Hello. I just noticed on my lunch break that I don't have brake lights. It had to have happened within the last couple of days because I've always had lights. I checked the fuse panel & it's a 30 amp fuse in the slot for the brake lights. It's also for the turn signals but the signals work. I'm unable to diagnose the stoplight switch but when I looked at it, it was loose & not firmly attached to the brake pedal. Could that be the source of the lights not working?

 

[sperold]

That BOO switch does have to be attached to the brake pedal and it could very well be your problem.
Since you do not have the Plus model with dedicated bulbs for brake lights, your bulbs have 2 filaments. That second filament does not seem to last as long as the other one, and it is not out of the question that one bulb went west, followed by the other one in short order, leaving you with no brake lights. The bulbs come in packs of 2 and are around $5.00 at a Walmart or similar place.
But tidy up that BOO switch first, as that solution does not cost anything. I do not know exactly what that switch does, but it needs to be attached.

 

[itwonder]

I recently had my brake lights go out, and it was the switch. Interesting to diagnose because the switch tested good with an voltmeter, however it could not pass enough current to illuminate the filaments. A new switch, from NAPA as I recall, fixed it.

 

[TimboSHO]

I've had the wires break right at the switch of a couple of my Taurus'. Check for wires fraying right at the connection to the switch when you get it connected.

 

[Irish Pride]

Do you have working cruise control. If so take it for a drive and use the cruise. Pressing on the brake pedal is suppose to disengage the the cruise control. If your cruise still pull when you brake then that loose brake switch is your problem.

Also, if you had working cruise control and now it's not working then the brake switch itself is probably bad.