Brake Fuse Keeps Blowing

[ahackett26]

The brake fuse in my 2005 Ford Escape keeps blowing. Does anyone know why this might be happening??
Please help!

[Davescort97]

Welcome to AF!

If you have trailer wiring check it to see if it has shorted out. Pull the bulbs out of the taillight assemblies. If the fuse doesn't blow the a bulb is bad. If the fuse does blow check the contacts inside the socket. Sometimes a contact will break off inside the socket and short power to ground at the same time.

The power to the switch at the pedal is always hot. Disconnect the harness at the switch on the pedal. Put in a new fuse. If it blows the wiring between the fuse and the switch is shorted out. If it doesn't blow replace the switch. If that doesn't solve the problem there is a short between the pedal switch and the brake lights.

Remove the rear light assemblies and check the wiring, bulb sockets for any corrosion or contact burning. With both light assemblies disconnected install a new fuse and see if it stays intact when the pedal is depressed, if so the problem is at the tail light units or their wiring.

You might consider taking it to an automotive electrical shop. They could diagnose in minutes what may take you hours to do.