Taillights stopped working but my break light and everything else is ok

Asked by GuruD528CZ Feb 17, 2024 at 10:03 AM about the 1997 Ford Ranger XLT Standard Cab LB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 97 Ford ranger. All my lights worked fine , now my
tail lights stopped working and my reverse lights and back
parking lights. ALL the other functions of the lights work
ex/ Head lights, front/rear turn signals, front parking lights
and hazards in front and rear all work fine. I changed the
break bulb. I think I've checked every fuse on the side panel
of drivers side. I just can not understand why the tail lights
and reverse lights stopped working and I can't figure it out.
I'm am IN DESPERATE NEED OF SOME HELP GUYS
PLEASE. My daddy is gone and I have no one just the basic
knowledge of things he taught me before he passed. My
plate light even works everything literally works out except
tails lights reverse lights and back parking lights (turn
single and hazard work fine in front and back) p.s it's 97
Ford I think XL or something it has the little rear seats on
the back that fold down)

3 Answers

38,945

You need a tester of some kind to figure it out same as anyone here , unless someone can see electricity

155,275

Sounds like a bad ground. You'll need to find out where the taillights and reverse lights are grounded. Trace the wiring going from the lights and you'll find a wire that bolts directly to something metal that's not painted. Remove and clean that connection. Hope that helps! Jim

202,505

Pickup trucks get a lot of mud & gunk splashed up into the rear fenders & bumpers where if not hosed out will rot electrical connections. Your problem is likely bad electrical ground or rotted sockets. You have a truck that's over a quarter century old and for a non-mechanic, is really not a good vehicle to rely on. Have a mechanic track down the failure and fix it. Then get something much newer and more reliable.

Your Answer:

Ranger

Looking for a Used Ranger in your area?

CarGurus has 697 nationwide Ranger listings starting at $6,445.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    4,390
  • #2
    Bob Beaman
    Reputation
    3,000
  • #3
    Jennifer Gorham
    Reputation
    2,560
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Toyota Tacoma
41 Great Deals out of 786 listings starting at $9,975
Used Ford F-150
319 Great Deals out of 13,512 listings starting at $3,888
Used Nissan Frontier
11 Great Deals out of 539 listings starting at $8,688
Used Ford Mustang
35 Great Deals out of 1,603 listings starting at $7,999
Used GMC Sierra 1500
143 Great Deals out of 7,815 listings starting at $5,500
Used Jeep Wrangler
134 Great Deals out of 5,910 listings starting at $6,500
Used Toyota 4Runner
20 Great Deals out of 529 listings starting at $14,995
Used Ford Bronco
12 Great Deals out of 1,981 listings starting at $39,999
Used Chevrolet S-10
2 listings

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.