97 Escort Wagon - Defrost/Brakelights/Open Hatch Light

[adixon]

My 97 Escort Wagon has developed an electrical problem which seems to have linked together the Hatch Open Light, Rear Defrost light and the Brake lights.

The indicator light for the hatch being open stays on all the time except when braking. Putting on the brakes turns off the hatch indicator light and turns on the light that shows the rear defrost is on. Also if you turn on the rear defrost while driving it puts the brake lights on.

Does anyone know how the three things - Brake lights/Rear Defrost & Hatch open light might be linked? Any info would be greatly appreciated

[JT_dude]

I would suggest looking at the wiring between the hatchback and the frame of the car. The wiring on mine is frayed and may be causing a problem with my brake light (it likes to come on just after I start the car and at low speeds). I'm probably going to have to replace some of the wiring (or splice it together).

[Apsley]

I had same problems and wiring damage were the wiring goes from car body to the hatch. When hatch is opened and closed wires get pintched and eventually break. I replaced the entire wiring harness (approx. 4 hours) which plugs into two plugs down in the right rear quarter panel. I got the replacement harness from an auto wreckers, only problem is I had to look through 10 escort wagons until I found one good harness. This brings me to the next point: I called Ford re this problem which I consider a design flaw and a safety issue but they denied knowing about the problem,but if you talk to the Ford dealers service department they are quite aware of the problem. Also the fact that I had to look through ten cars at the wreckers to find one good set of wires means there is a problem. I think Ford should put a recall on this one!