- Joined
- Feb 7, 2026
- Messages
- 8
- Points
- 1
- City
- Golden
- State - Country
- CO - USA
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 4WD
- Engine
- 4.0 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
- Tire Size
- 235/75R15
I've noticed that behavior of the brake lights going off when you let up on the pressure on several Fords. I first noticed it on a 48,000 mile Grand Marquis and just assumed that it was some feature to let cops in Crown Vics sit in gear with the brake lights off. But my Ranger does it too, so I guess it's just something caused by that type of switch.
You might try removing the little plastic bushing that goes on the shaft that the switch rides on on the pedal, the little plastic cylinder that takes up the gap between that rod and the switch. When I first got my Ranger it didn't have brake lights at all unless I really stepped on them, like yours is doing when you ease off and then press harder, but removing that little plastic cylinder made them work like they should starting from barely touching the pedal. I don't know why and it probably isn't a permanent fix, but at least they work.
Today I put in my third NAPA reman starter, while laying in a large puddle in a dirt parking lot and being dripped on by melting snow. The first starter was bad out of the box and the second one lasted a whole 4 months and 800 miles. While I was under there and cold and wet anyway I replaced the 2005 date coded fuel filter. For some reason my engine seems a little happier now... I also did yet another round of cleaning on the front seats. They aren't turning my cleaning towel quite as black as they used to. And then I went and bought a pair of Skyjacker 132X 1.5" lift springs for $100 on Marketplace.
