Ford Focus 2013 Tail Light Wiring/Fuse

[thescullster]

Hi All

One of my colleagues has a 2013 Focus Estate with lighting issues.

He had been told of a failed break light and was replacing this bulb today.
But although he now has 2 operating break lights, his tail (side) lights
are not working.

It is not clear whether he caused the problem when swapping the bulb. I
suppose they could have stopped working and he would not necessarily be
aware given the light nights.
We inspected the wiring local to the bulb housing and all seemed in
order (i. e. no disconnects).

Looking at fuse board "key" diagrams from various sources, I could not
see a fuse that looked in any way associated with the rear tail lights.
My review included fuse boards in: the engine bay, the cabin, the
luggage area.

Does anyone know if there is a fuse specifically protecting the tail
light bulbs and if so where this is? The front side and headlights
appear to be functioning correctly.

Many thanks

Phil

[alan_m]

Post by thescullster
Hi All
One of my colleagues has a 2013 Focus Estate with lighting issues.
He had been told of a failed break light and was replacing this bulb today.
But although he now has 2 operating break lights, his tail (side) lights
are not working.
It is not clear whether he caused the problem when swapping the bulb.  I
suppose they could have stopped working and he would not necessarily be
aware given the light nights.
We inspected the wiring local to the bulb housing and all seemed in
order (i. e. no disconnects).
Looking at fuse board "key" diagrams from various sources, I could not
see a fuse that looked in any way associated with the rear tail lights.
My review included fuse boards in: the engine bay, the cabin, the
luggage area.
Does anyone know if there is a fuse specifically protecting the tail
light bulbs and if so where this is?  The front side and headlights
appear to be functioning correctly.
Many thanks
Phil

Is it a single bulb with two filaments, one for brake and on for tail
light? How many connection terminals in the connector and how many on
the base of the bulb - although often (always) its impossible to fit the
wrong type of bulb as the y are physically keyed differently.

[thescullster]

Post by alan_m

Post by thescullster
Hi All
One of my colleagues has a 2013 Focus Estate with lighting issues.
He had been told of a failed break light and was replacing this bulb today.
But although he now has 2 operating break lights, his tail (side)
lights are not working.
It is not clear whether he caused the problem when swapping the bulb.
I suppose they could have stopped working and he would not necessarily
be aware given the light nights.
We inspected the wiring local to the bulb housing and all seemed in
order (i. e. no disconnects).
Looking at fuse board "key" diagrams from various sources, I could not
see a fuse that looked in any way associated with the rear tail
lights. My review included fuse boards in: the engine bay, the cabin,
the luggage area.
Does anyone know if there is a fuse specifically protecting the tail
light bulbs and if so where this is?  The front side and headlights
appear to be functioning correctly.
Many thanks
Phil

Is it a single bulb with two filaments, one for brake and on for tail
light?  How many connection terminals in the connector and how many on
the base of the bulb - although often (always) its impossible to fit the
wrong type of bulb as the y are physically keyed differently.

Hello Alan

The side/break lights are the dual filament variety. Yes they are keyed
and I watched him fit the replacement, so know that it was fitted
correctly (without undue force).

The fact is that neither tail light is working although the break lights
are both now operating.

The bulb he fitted looked right with dual contact points just like the
failed item.

Does each bulb have a separate ground wire or does the housing have one
combined? If the latter I don't see how that can be the issue (based on
the fact that the break lights work OK).


I am at a loss to understand which fuse covers these and whether they
are on a separate fuse to all other users.

Thanks


Phil

[Tim+]

Post by thescullster

Post by alan_m

Post by thescullster
Hi All
One of my colleagues has a 2013 Focus Estate with lighting issues.
He had been told of a failed break light and was replacing this bulb today.
But although he now has 2 operating break lights, his tail (side)
lights are not working.
It is not clear whether he caused the problem when swapping the bulb.
I suppose they could have stopped working and he would not necessarily
be aware given the light nights.
We inspected the wiring local to the bulb housing and all seemed in
order (i. e. no disconnects).
Looking at fuse board "key" diagrams from various sources, I could not
see a fuse that looked in any way associated with the rear tail
lights. My review included fuse boards in: the engine bay, the cabin,
the luggage area.
Does anyone know if there is a fuse specifically protecting the tail
light bulbs and if so where this is?  The front side and headlights
appear to be functioning correctly.
Many thanks
Phil

Is it a single bulb with two filaments, one for brake and on for tail
light?  How many connection terminals in the connector and how many on
the base of the bulb - although often (always) its impossible to fit the
wrong type of bulb as the y are physically keyed differently.

Hello Alan
The side/break lights are the dual filament variety. Yes they are keyed
and I watched him fit the replacement, so know that it was fitted
correctly (without undue force).
The fact is that neither tail light is working although the break lights
are both now operating.
The bulb he fitted looked right with dual contact points just like the
failed item.
Does each bulb have a separate ground wire or does the housing have one
combined? If the latter I don't see how that can be the issue (based on
the fact that the break lights work OK).
I am at a loss to understand which fuse covers these and whether they
are on a separate fuse to all other users.

Earth faults are very common in older cars and can cause odd things to
happen with the rear lights. I’d have a close look at the earths.

Tim

[Robin]

Post by Tim+

Post by thescullster

Post by alan_m

Post by thescullster
Hi All
One of my colleagues has a 2013 Focus Estate with lighting issues.
He had been told of a failed break light and was replacing this bulb today.
But although he now has 2 operating break lights, his tail (side)
lights are not working.
It is not clear whether he caused the problem when swapping the bulb.
I suppose they could have stopped working and he would not necessarily
be aware given the light nights.
We inspected the wiring local to the bulb housing and all seemed in
order (i. e. no disconnects).
Looking at fuse board "key" diagrams from various sources, I could not
see a fuse that looked in any way associated with the rear tail
lights. My review included fuse boards in: the engine bay, the cabin,
the luggage area.
Does anyone know if there is a fuse specifically protecting the tail
light bulbs and if so where this is?  The front side and headlights
appear to be functioning correctly.
Many thanks
Phil

Is it a single bulb with two filaments, one for brake and on for tail
light?  How many connection terminals in the connector and how many on
the base of the bulb - although often (always) its impossible to fit the
wrong type of bulb as the y are physically keyed differently.

Hello Alan
The side/break lights are the dual filament variety. Yes they are keyed
and I watched him fit the replacement, so know that it was fitted
correctly (without undue force).
The fact is that neither tail light is working although the break lights
are both now operating.
The bulb he fitted looked right with dual contact points just like the
failed item.
Does each bulb have a separate ground wire or does the housing have one
combined? If the latter I don't see how that can be the issue (based on
the fact that the break lights work OK).
I am at a loss to understand which fuse covers these and whether they
are on a separate fuse to all other users.

Earth faults are very common in older cars and can cause odd things to
happen with the rear lights. I’d have a close look at the earths.

I don't know the 2013 but I'm pretty sure on my 2008 Focus the tail and
brake lights share an earth.

I'd track back the cables to see where the harness enters the hatch.
They have a habit of rubbing and shorting or breaking.

[thescullster]

Post by Robin

Post by Tim+

Post by thescullster

Post by alan_m

Post by thescullster
Hi All
One of my colleagues has a 2013 Focus Estate with lighting issues.
He had been told of a failed break light and was replacing this bulb today.
But although he now has 2 operating break lights, his tail (side)
lights are not working.
It is not clear whether he caused the problem when swapping the bulb.
I suppose they could have stopped working and he would not necessarily
be aware given the light nights.
We inspected the wiring local to the bulb housing and all seemed in
order (i. e. no disconnects).
Looking at fuse board "key" diagrams from various sources, I could not
see a fuse that looked in any way associated with the rear tail
lights. My review included fuse boards in: the engine bay, the cabin,
the luggage area.
Does anyone know if there is a fuse specifically protecting the tail
light bulbs and if so where this is?  The front side and headlights
appear to be functioning correctly.
Many thanks
Phil

Is it a single bulb with two filaments, one for brake and on for tail
light?  How many connection terminals in the connector and how many on
the base of the bulb - although often (always) its impossible to fit the
wrong type of bulb as the y are physically keyed differently.

Hello Alan
The side/break lights are the dual filament variety.  Yes they are keyed
and I watched him fit the replacement, so know that it was fitted
correctly (without undue force).
The fact is that neither tail light is working although the break lights
are both now operating.
The bulb he fitted looked right with dual contact points just like the
failed item.
Does each bulb have a separate ground wire or does the housing have one
combined? If the latter I don't see how that can be the issue (based on
the fact that the break lights work OK).
I am at a loss to understand which fuse covers these and whether they
are on a separate fuse to all other users.

Earth faults are very common in older cars and can cause odd things to
happen with the rear lights. I’d have a close look at the earths.

I don't know the 2013 but I'm pretty sure on my 2008 Focus the tail and
brake lights share an earth.
I'd track back the cables to see where the harness enters the hatch.
They have a habit of rubbing and shorting or breaking.

Thanks Tim/Robin

I'll tell him he needs to do a bit more ferreting/diagnostics

Phil

[Peter Hill]

Post by alan_m

Post by thescullster
Hi All
One of my colleagues has a 2013 Focus Estate with lighting issues.
He had been told of a failed break light and was replacing this bulb today.
But although he now has 2 operating break lights, his tail (side)
lights are not working.
It is not clear whether he caused the problem when swapping the bulb.
I suppose they could have stopped working and he would not necessarily
be aware given the light nights.
We inspected the wiring local to the bulb housing and all seemed in
order (i. e. no disconnects).
Looking at fuse board "key" diagrams from various sources, I could not
see a fuse that looked in any way associated with the rear tail
lights. My review included fuse boards in: the engine bay, the cabin,
the luggage area.
Does anyone know if there is a fuse specifically protecting the tail
light bulbs and if so where this is?  The front side and headlights
appear to be functioning correctly.
Many thanks
Phil

Is it a single bulb with two filaments, one for brake and on for tail
light?  How many connection terminals in the connector and how many on
the base of the bulb - although often (always) its impossible to fit the
wrong type of bulb as the y are physically keyed differently.

The internal conductors on many tail lamps are stamped zinc plated
tracks. The earth socket with the keyed slots is easy to damage by
trying to fit the bulb with too much force or when removing corroded
bulbs. That pops the heat sealed head off the plastic "rivet" that holds
the tracks in place and then the bulb doesn't fit tight to the contacts
on the base as the socket is loose.

I had to replace a mates tail light on a Ford fiesta for this as hot
melt glue didn't hold, the brake light melted it.