Flashing Light...?

[giant_mtb]

On my dad's 1998 Explorer, the top rear brake light (the one above the rear gate window) is constantly flashing...even when the car is off and all other lights are off.  It flashes at a very fast rate...at least 300 FPM and it looks sorta like a cop light.  It's about the intensity of your average running light..it's not as if it looks like the full-on brake light is flashing.

What the heck?!  

[footoflead]

On my dad's 1998 Explorer, the top rear brake light (the one above the rear gate window) is constantly flashing...even when the car is off and all other lights are off.  It flashes at a very fast rate...at least 300 FPM and it looks sorta like a cop light.  It's about the intensity of your average running light..it's not as if it looks like the full-on brake light is flashing.

What the heck?!  

:blink:  :o  :blink:  

[ifcar]

I know one easy solution:


If you can't see it, nothing's wrong. :D

[giant_mtb]

I know one easy solution:


If you can't see it, nothing's wrong. :D

:D  Deffinitely not the response I expected from you.  :D  

[ifcar]

I'm used to dealing with old cars where the oddest things are prone to go wrong, and nothing is worth fixing right. :D

[footoflead]

I know one easy solution:


If you can't see it, nothing's wrong. :D

Duck Tape fixes EVERYTHING  

[giant_mtb]

Ok seriously now...

[footoflead]

Ok seriously now...

I still have no clue what the heck your talking about

[ifcar]

No idea.

[giant_mtb]

Ok seriously now...

I still have no clue what the heck your talking about

Help a bit?  That light is always flashing at a rate of 300 FPM or more but not brightly as if the brakes are on, just a running-light intensity.

Get it now?

[footoflead]

Ok seriously now...

I still have no clue what the heck your talking about

Help a bit?  That light is always flashing at a rate of 300 FPM or more but not brightly as if the brakes are on, just a running-light intensity.

Get it now?

Ok,

Could be a short in the wiring somewhere,  

[footoflead]

Or a bad connection somewhere in the line

[Speed_Racer]

Pull out the fuse. That'll stop the flashing. It's not legal, but you didn't ask for a legal solution.

[giant_mtb]

Pull out the fuse. That'll stop the flashing. It's not legal, but you didn't ask for a legal solution.

I don't think it would be illegal because there'd still be the two brake lights on the sides...and unless a cop really wanted to be a dick I doubt he'd pull me/him over for it.

[Tom]

Pull out the fuse. That'll stop the flashing. It's not legal, but you didn't ask for a legal solution.

I don't think it would be illegal because there'd still be the two brake lights on the sides...and unless a cop really wanted to be a dick I doubt he'd pull me/him over for it.

There has to be other electronics on the same fuse.  Although they could be useless things.  Pull out the manual and take a look.  

[JWC]

Even though I own a '98 Explorer, I can't remember whether or not it has a ballast for the third brake lamp.  If it does, it may be going out. Easy fix...if you've done it before. Parts are somewhere between 80-100 bucks.  

I was thinking that '97 was the last year for a ballast, but I may be wrong.


As for the legality of disconnecting it, depends on the state. My experiences with California law enforcement taught me that a brake lamp out (or in my case a driver's door not completely shut) is an excuse to pull you over and check your license and registration.

In NC, where I'm at now, you would fail a mandatory yearly safety inspection.

[giant_mtb]

Well we don't have saftey checks or emissions tests here in MI...so I guess he'll probably just drive it around until it dies or something.

[footoflead]

Well we don't have saftey checks or emissions tests here in MI...so I guess he'll probably just drive it around until it dies or something.

You sure, if so then your lucky, Tx is fairly strict about emissions down here (stupid cat. converters )

[Run Away]

Alright!

Disco explorer! B)

[giant_mtb]

Well we don't have saftey checks or emissions tests here in MI...so I guess he'll probably just drive it around until it dies or something.

You sure, if so then your lucky, Tx is fairly strict about emissions down here (stupid cat. converters )

Yeah I'd probably know if we have emissions tests or not...we don't have them.  

[Raza]

It's obviously a portal to another dimension.

[footoflead]

It's obviously a portal to another dimension.

:ph34r: