My 2003 ford explorer tail lights will not go off when I turn off the truck

Asked Jan 4, 2008, 09:21 AM — **9 Answers**

My 2003 ford explorer's tail lights stay on when I turn the truck off. How do I fix this problem?

CaptainRich · Jan 4, 2008, 09:32 AM

Just the tail lamps?
The Central Security Module houses a park lamp relay that may have failed.
That module is difficult to access: it is in the rear, behind the trim panel behind the RR seat. If you can access that and unplug it, the light should go off. If they do, replace it.
I hope this helps.

zwirzs · Jan 4, 2008, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by CaptainRich

Just the tail lamps?
The Central Security Module houses a park lamp relay that may have failed.
That module is difficult to access: it is in the rear, behind the trim panel behind the RR seat. If you can access that and unplug it, the light should go off. If they do, replace it.
I hope this helps.

All 3 lights including the middle one. If you touch the brake the right way, it will go off but, it will go back on and staywith a slight touch of the brake. Is this the brake light fuse or this module ? If it's the module, would you give me a better idea of where it's located in my 2003 Eddie B explorer. Thanks

CaptainRich · Jan 4, 2008, 10:51 AM

Are we talking tail lamps or brake lamps? Big difference...
If it's the brake lights staying on, try spraying the brake light switch (mounted above the brake bedal) with lube like WD-40 and working the switch a bit. Don't use too much and avoid getting any on the pedal itself.
If lubing that switch doesn't work, you will likely need to replace it.

mimat2 · Feb 5, 2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by CaptainRich

Are we talking tail lamps or brake lamps? Big difference...
If it's the brake lights staying on, try spraying the brake light switch (mounted above the brake bedal) with lube like WD-40 and working the switch a bit. Don't use too much and avoid getting any on the pedal itself.
If lubing that switch doesn't work, you will likely need to replace it.

Your info is great... it works, thanks a million

papkoan · May 25, 2010, 08:11 AM

Did you ever report it to the NHTSA? This is a safety issue that Ford is/was aware of when the discontinued the brake light switch and replaced it with a conversion kit to a safe part.

CaptainRich · Jun 1, 2010, 06:07 PM

I wouldn't be too concerned that a switch, even a brake light switch, was necessary.
That is an electrical/mechanical switch, subject to a very large number of mechanical cycles during it's lifetime.
The brake light switch is probably the busiest switch that there is on a car!
Could there be a better design? Perhaps...
Want to make yourself a millionaire? Come up with that better design.
BTW: this is a very old question.

papkoan · Jun 1, 2010, 06:22 PM

Yeah I know it was old, but when my lights started acting funny and staying on even with my keys in my hand I started to research it I saw this and figured I would ask. Ford did recall the part, but only for the Taurus and Sable because those are the only cars that NHTSA called them out on. I am fine with replacing the switch with a new one, but they have a rule that they will make the part available for 8 years and there part guys admit it was replaced due to a fault in the old switch and it is the same switch as the Taurus and the Sable. I shouldn't have to pay for a diagnostic and the labor to get it correctly fixed if they knew it was a bad part

garincher · Jun 8, 2012, 03:04 PM

Thank you captainrich that wd40 works lights out thanks again

MisterB49 · May 12, 2013, 06:52 PM

Just had the same problem and the WD40 solution worked a treat.

My 2003 ford explorer tail lights will not go off when I turn off the truck

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