RangerJoey
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2017
- Messages
- 101
- Reaction score
- 7
- Location
- BMore
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 4.0L V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
- My credo
- Teen Wolf for President!
Hello,
I'm still in the never ending process of trying to rebuild a '99 XLT Ranger and had the bed off for a considerable time. After putting it back on and being careful during reassembly, I popped in the tail lights and immediately found nothing in the rear worked. At least on the bed. The cabin 3rd brake light does work.
I did a lot of searches on the forum and they were super helpful! First, I didn't even realize the turn signals - outside or on the instrument illumination - weren't working. So I took apart the steering column thinking it was the multifunction switch. May have been. I mean, I ordered a new one but when I took the housing off, I immediately noticed one wire had fallen out of the harness. One of the little plastic "springs" that keeps pressure on the factory wiring was worn away. So I wound up buying a replacement harness and swapping the wires that came with it for the factory wires. Genius! But still nothing.
I checked all fuses both physically looking at them and for continuity using a multimeter. The "Hazard Relay" seemed like it kept coming up in my search results so I swapped that for a new one. Success! Now the dash illuminates when the turn signals are on as well as the hazards. Only problem: They only work in the front.
I found this thread from just over a year ago that really seems like the symptoms I'm experiencing on the 99. I wanted to follow some of the advice given, but how do I go about testing this stuff with a multimeter? I searched a couple of videos and I think I would need a helper and a wiring diagram. And when looking for a ground, it's always mentioned to use a piece of bare metal on the frame. Stupid question: Does it have to be on the truck? I have a couple of layers of POR-15 everywhere on the rear and a good layer of Fluid Film to boot. There's really no bare metal in the rear.
In summary:
-No brake lights on bed when pedal is pressed
-Yes third brake light when brake pedal is pressed
-No rear turn signals
-Yes front turn signals
-No reverse lights
-No rear running lights
-Yes headlights
-Hazards work in front, not in rear
-Replaced Multifunction Switch
-Replaced Hazard Relay
-Verified Fuses
-Can physically see wiring harness to the rear is plugged in
-Has 7 Pin Tow Harness, All Factory Wiring
Could anyone please point me in the right direction on how to diagnose this with a multimeter, (speaking to me like an idiot)?
I'm still in the never ending process of trying to rebuild a '99 XLT Ranger and had the bed off for a considerable time. After putting it back on and being careful during reassembly, I popped in the tail lights and immediately found nothing in the rear worked. At least on the bed. The cabin 3rd brake light does work.
I did a lot of searches on the forum and they were super helpful! First, I didn't even realize the turn signals - outside or on the instrument illumination - weren't working. So I took apart the steering column thinking it was the multifunction switch. May have been. I mean, I ordered a new one but when I took the housing off, I immediately noticed one wire had fallen out of the harness. One of the little plastic "springs" that keeps pressure on the factory wiring was worn away. So I wound up buying a replacement harness and swapping the wires that came with it for the factory wires. Genius! But still nothing.
I checked all fuses both physically looking at them and for continuity using a multimeter. The "Hazard Relay" seemed like it kept coming up in my search results so I swapped that for a new one. Success! Now the dash illuminates when the turn signals are on as well as the hazards. Only problem: They only work in the front.
I found this thread from just over a year ago that really seems like the symptoms I'm experiencing on the 99. I wanted to follow some of the advice given, but how do I go about testing this stuff with a multimeter? I searched a couple of videos and I think I would need a helper and a wiring diagram. And when looking for a ground, it's always mentioned to use a piece of bare metal on the frame. Stupid question: Does it have to be on the truck? I have a couple of layers of POR-15 everywhere on the rear and a good layer of Fluid Film to boot. There's really no bare metal in the rear.
In summary:
-No brake lights on bed when pedal is pressed
-Yes third brake light when brake pedal is pressed
-No rear turn signals
-Yes front turn signals
-No reverse lights
-No rear running lights
-Yes headlights
-Hazards work in front, not in rear
-Replaced Multifunction Switch
-Replaced Hazard Relay
-Verified Fuses
-Can physically see wiring harness to the rear is plugged in
-Has 7 Pin Tow Harness, All Factory Wiring
Could anyone please point me in the right direction on how to diagnose this with a multimeter, (speaking to me like an idiot)?