3rd brake light not working?

[Hypnotic Toast]

I have a '99 Ford Ranger and it seems that my 3rd brake/reverse light (one on top of the cab) has stopped working. I've replaced the bulbs, but it still isn't coming on. I was going to replace the fuse, but I was told that if the fuse was blown that my actual brake/reverse lights on the bed wouldn't be functioning and they are. I don't know if this is true or not.

But if something has gone bad in the wiring, I'm really not looking forward to tracking it down. Hopefully something like that wouldn't be a huge fix?

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

Has no one else had this problem? It seems in my town I see Rangers everywhere without their 3rd light not working.

 

[fordboi415]

Check the fuses anyway, and check the connections in the 3rd brake light could be a loose wire or bad connection

 

[CarsonD]

Check the fuses anyway, and check the connections in the 3rd brake light could be a loose wire or bad connection

x2

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

So do the taillights and 3rd light run off the same fuse, or are they different? And if I have to check the wiring, what does that involve?

Sorry, when it comes to electrical things in my truck, I'm completely useless.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the white lights on either side of the brake light arent reverse lights, they are cargo lights. they come on when the door is opened or you roll the dimmer switch past the "stop" at the end of the bright range of motion.

can you get those lights to come on?

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

the white lights on either side of the brake light arent reverse lights, they are cargo lights. they come on when the door is opened or you roll the dimmer switch past the "stop" at the end of the bright range of motion.

can you get those lights to come on?

My right cargo light came on when I rolled the switch past "stop", but the left one did not and the brake light did not light up when I stepped on the brake.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

did you replace those bulbs too? if not, the left one is probably just blown.

alrighty, finally got my wiring diagram out and heres what i see. the high mount stop light does have its own fuese. all 3 brake lights go through the #13 fuse, but the high mount also goes through the #2 (a 7.5A). weird that they'd fuse it twice. the high mount should also have its own ground somewhere. after you check the fuse, you need to follow the black wire from the bulb holder and see where it grounds at and make sure it has a solid connection.

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

WS, where would I be without you?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

probably the same place you are now?