Have you ever wondered what you can do about a Ford Focus brake lamp bulb fault?
Modern vehicles now come with more advanced features including the brake light. The moment you step on your brake pedal, the light located at the back portion of your vehicle lights up. Hence, the driver behind you is notified that you are stopping or braking.
Now, there are some cases when the brake lamp bulb may be faulty. Perhaps, it does not light up even if you step on the brake pedal. In this case, it does not do much in keeping you safe since it increases the chances of being rear-ended.
Find out why the brake lamp bulb may be malfunctioning and what you can do about it. Let’s dive right into it.
What Causes A Ford Focus Brake Lamp Bulb Fault
When your brake lights do not work, you should get a brake lamp bulb fault notification on your dashboard. This appears to let you know that this safety feature is not working, so you can do what is necessary about it.
Now, there are a few reasons why your brake lamp bulb may be faulty. For instance, it could be due to bad brake switches, faulty relays or modules, or defects to your light bulbs. We discuss these reasons further below.
1. Brake switch issues
Your brake lights only turn on when you press on the brake pedal. The switch signals your brake light bulbs, so these will turn on the moment the brake pedal is stepped on.
However, the ABS may come on at your brake switch failure. This means that the driver behind you is not aware that you are braking, which can be a big safety risk. Hence, you need to get it fixed by your mechanic before serious accidents arise.
2. Faulty bulbs
Just like every component of your vehicle, your brake light bulbs have a lifespan. As time passes by, they may become weak and get old, they may also become dimmer and stop turning on. This is why you may be noticing an issue with a Ford Focus brake lamp bulb fault. As a result, you receive a warning notification that your brake lights are not working.
3. Wiring problems
This is one of the most common causes of a brake lamp bulb fault among Ford vehicles. These wires are connected to your fuses, switches, and brake bulbs. When there are issues with your wiring, this limits the flow of electricity and prevents your brake lights from turning on each time you step on your brake pedal.
4. Blown fuse
Basically, your fuse is responsible for protecting your vehicle from damage. There are two terminals, as well as a metal stripe, and these run through your terminals. If this metal strip is broken or you have a blown fuse, there is no current passing to your main component.
Therefore, if you have a blown fuse, your brake bulb may break. This is why it fails to light up and will need to be replaced for it to work again. You can find your fuses inside your fuse box, right under your hood or below the steering wheel.
When the fuse is blown, you may see the brake light flickering, which is why the bulb fails to light up completely. So, if the issue is not a brake bulb or a brake switch, then it is most likely a blown fuse that is the problem.
5. Faulty relays or modules
Another issue with the brake lamp bulb is a problem with your brake relays or modules. You can find these in the central units of your brake system. These collect the command sent to them, which makes braking effective and safe. When you have a faulty module, the brake light tends to fail and you may have a faulty brake.
What You Can Do
Now when you encounter such issues with your brake lamp bulb, there are a few things that you can try to fix. First, it is important to determine the cause of the problem, so you can address it appropriately.
For instance, if your brake lamp bulb fault is due to a broken bulb, then you will have to change or replace it. This means removing the screws that hold your lamp in place and unplugging hte connector on your bulb.
Check for signs of damage or debris. If you notice that the filament is dark brown or is broken, then you need to get your dead bulb a replacement.
As for a defect to your brake switch, this means replacing it with a new one. Otherwise, you will never be able to use your brake lamp bulb at all.
Now, if the culprit is your wiring, this would mean wrapping some tape on your exposed wires using an electrical tape. Then, be sure to clean your connectors and make any loose connections tighter. If you have a lousy fuse, you will need to replace it.
The most important thing is to determine if the fuse is really the problem. When you have a blown fuse, this means you need to replace it. Pull the dead fuse out and install your replacement fuse. You may do it yourself if you are aware of how it is done or have an auto mechanic do it for you.
Summary
Basically getting a brake lamp bulb fault fixed can cost you about $10 to as much as $30, which includes labor cost. But if you want to save on the extra fee for labor, then you may consider doing it yourself if you have the right tools and technical skills.
But overall, we do not recommend driving your vehicle with a broken lamp bulb. This is quite dangerous to do considering the hazard that comes with not being able to warn the driver behind you when you are braking.
With this in mind, it is best to have the problem rectified sooner than later, so you can have peace of mind and safety when on the road.