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Automotive/parking (tail) lights not working

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Expert: - 5/7/2008


Question
I have a 2000 ford mustang conv. My parking lights are not working as well as the license plate lights.The manual states that there is a 30amp fuse in the engine area. I have checked the fuse and switched with another 30 amp fuse. The fuse appears to be ok. I have also checked the bulbs on each tail light and they are also working. All of my other lights work.  Do you have any suggestions???  If I have to take it in is it better to take it to a ford dealer who knows that car or and electrical repair guy.

Answer
I do not have a manual for the 2000 Mustang, nor for any other recent Ford, but most Fords and other cars in my experience use a fuse value much smaller than 30A for a circuit comprising only parking and license plate lamps.  7.5 amps would be more typical.

That being the case, I would suspect that the wrong fuse has been identified.  Perhaps a second look should be taken at the manual.

The problem most likely is an open fuse, but might also be something as simple as a little oxidation on the fuse clips; in the latter case, removal and replacement of the fuse might restore the lights, in which case the clips should be cleaned and greased.  A final possibility could be a connector fault at the headlight switch or with the running-light poles within the switch itself.  

Do you have a friend who might have a multimeter?

I cannot really advise you as to whether a dealer might be better than an auto electrical specialist - the answer would depend on the integrity and skills of each of them.  The good choice would be whoever has a good name, particularly with fleet operators such as taxi companies or smaller delivery firms.  Owner operators are pretty choosy when it comes to getting a fair deal.

This should be a fairly easy problem to solve, anyway.

Regards and good luck ... EGK

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Ernest (Ernie) Kenward

Expertise

The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!

Experience

A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping. Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD. My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it. The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!

Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities; SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318; Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies; have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC

Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities

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