Gentleman and Ladies,

I have a 1995 EB Edition Explorer which has served me well these many years. Now it seems the brake lights are not working and I am just a few days away from State inspection, and a large bill if I cannot get this item fixed.

Here is what I know:
1) The two brake lights above the bumper do not work, however the one above the tail gate does.
2) The bulbs are brand new.
3) The fuses are all in working order.
4) The bulbs do work with the parking lights on, but at no other time.
5) With a volt meter, I checked the connector wires , the brake light side of the connector is not getting any power, It barely registers with the pedal depressed. But the parking lights side of the connector is registering 13.45 V.

So I can conclude that there is a power feed loss some where along the line... any explorer guys or mechanics know where I can look??

I would have first thought that it would have either been a fuse or a bulb, but neither of those is bad... and I am stumped... I do have mechanical ability, so any suggestions would be most helpful.

Thanks guys

Regards
Martin.
95 EB Explorer.

Do your turn signal lamps work? If not, you probably have a ground problem. Check the brake light ground and see if it isn't corroded. Also check your hazards and let us know if they work. Also the dash board indicators for the blinkers. Do they work?
My bet is a bad ground for the bulbs since the high mount light and the brake lights have the same power source(at least for a 98 which is probably the same) but seperate grounds. Check and post back.