Didn't take long...

[star hustler]

I have had the truck for 3 weeks and my tail light is out... How does this happen?

 

[star hustler]

 

[v8 goat]

That's odd, especially for an LED. I would check something simple first - make sure the connection/plug is fully seated. It's possible it just came unplugged.

But, it's also possible the ballast is bad, or worst case, the taillamp itself is defective. Sometimes the manufacturer gets bad parts from its suppliers. I remember back in 2018, we received Navigators with defective headlamps assemblies - the running lamp portion was inoperable. It sucks to deal with on a new vehicle, but it will get fixed/replaced. The Navigators all received new headlamps and never had the issue recur. I hope you get it fixed right away!

 

[star hustler]

That's odd, especially for an LED. I would check something simple first - make sure the connection/plug is fully seated. It's possible it just came unplugged.

But, it's also possible the ballast is bad, or worst case, the taillamp itself is defective. Sometimes the manufacturer gets bad parts from its suppliers. I remember back in 2018, we received Navigators with defective headlamps assemblies - the running lamp portion was inoperable. It sucks to deal with on a new vehicle, but it will get fixed/replaced. The Navigators all received new headlamps and never had the issue recur. I hope you get it fixed right away!

Thank you for the feedback, how exactly do I check the connection? Do I have to take the assembly off or can I peak from under the truck?

 

[v8 goat]

You would have to remove the taillamp, but it should be easily accessible by lowering the tailgate. I think it's just 2 screws, and then you can remove the assembly by pulling the taillamp toward the rear of the truck and away from the tailgate - hopefully that makes sense. Since you're pulling the driver's side off, pull toward the rear and to your left - as you stand behind the truck.

If you pull it off to check the connection, fully unplug it and check to make sure there isn't any debris preventing a solid connection.

Hopefully that's enough information to help. I have an Explorer ST while I wait for my Tremor, so I can't verify the number of screws...

 

[star hustler]

You would have to remove the taillamp, but it should be easily accessible by lowering the tailgate. I think it's just 2 screws, and then you can remove the assembly by pulling the taillamp toward the rear of the truck and away from the tailgate - hopefully that makes sense. Since you're pulling the driver's side off, pull toward the rear and to your left - as you stand behind the truck.

If you pull it off to check the connection, fully unplug it and check to make sure there isn't any debris preventing a solid connection.

Hopefully that's enough information to help. I have an Explorer ST while I wait for my Tremor, so I can't verify the number of screws...

Thank you, I will follow up tomorrow!!!!

 

[v8 goat]

Thanks! Let us know how it turns out.

We really should have a sticky thread somewhere that would allow us to post things like this, especially if it becomes a common issue... Maybe the mods can help us with that! The Raptor forum has one that includes things like this to look for and check at time of delivery and in the first few weeks of ownership. The Gen 3 Raptors (at least the '21s) ALL had issues with unseated fuses that wreaked havoc for those who didn't check them right away.

 

[star hustler]

Thanks! Let us know how it turns out.

We really should have a sticky thread somewhere that would allow us to post things like this, especially if it becomes a common issue... Maybe the mods can help us with that! The Raptor forum has one that includes things like this to look for and check at time of delivery and in the first few weeks of ownership. The Gen 3 Raptors (at least the '21s) ALL had issues with unseated fuses that wreaked havoc for those who didn't check them right away.

Sorry for late response...

So, I followed your instructions and made sure the connection was nice and tight... It still did NOT turn on..

I then scheduled an appointment with my local ford dealer where I bought my truck....

And THEN... I felt like my auto high beams weren't turning on properly so I turned the head light knob and sure enough the tail light came right on... So I guess that is the fix? Maybe it was stuck in between settings??????

Anyway, I am marking this as solved for now.

 

[Dpomerleau22]

That still seems defective in my opinion. Are you still going to the dealership to have them check it out? If so, I’d be curious as to what they told you was the issue.

 

[Big Cam]

Sorry for late response...

So, I followed your instructions and made sure the connection was nice and tight... It still did NOT turn on..

I then scheduled an appointment with my local ford dealer where I bought my truck....

And THEN... I felt like my auto high beams weren't turning on properly so I turned the head light knob and sure enough the tail light came right on... So I guess that is the fix? Maybe it was stuck in between settings??????

Anyway, I am marking this as solved for now.

Have you been able to verify that it now works with auto lights enabled, with regular lights, etc?? That's super weird. I'd keep a close eye on it, the in-between settings thing seems weird to me since you think the other taillight would have been in the same state.

 

[v8 goat]

Have you been able to verify that it now works with auto lights enabled, with regular lights, etc?? That's super weird. I'd keep a close eye on it, the in-between settings thing seems weird to me since you think the other taillight would have been in the same state.

Agreed. I would still keep an eye on this. It's seems unlikely that the taillamps would operate differently even if the lights were somehow in-between settings. But, as long as it works from here on out, it doesn't really matter what happened previously.

 

[Fatkid55]

Mine did that. I turned off the auto headlights and turned back on and it fixed it.

 

[v8 goat]

Mine did that. I turned off the auto headlights and turned back on and it fixed it.

That's just all kinds of interesting. But it's good to know that seems to fix the issue.

 

[star hustler]

That still seems defective in my opinion. Are you still going to the dealership to have them check it out? If so, I’d be curious as to what they told you was the issue.

I cancelled my appointment because I don't want to waste time, if it goes out again I will certainly bring it in...

 

[star hustler]

Have you been able to verify that it now works with auto lights enabled, with regular lights, etc?? That's super weird. I'd keep a close eye on it, the in-between settings thing seems weird to me since you think the other taillight would have been in the same state.

Yes, I can cycle through all the different light settings and everything works as expected. I am keeping a close eye on it and if it happens again I am going to bring it to the dealership.

 

[hotrodmex]

Good time to remember that these trucks have a lot of circuits that don't operate like they used to. This probably isn't a manual switch that directly controls the power, but a CANBUS controlled circuit that the computer has the turn on after being told by another input what to do. Glitched computer, glitched lamp control. Quick "reboot" clears the fault and then probably never happens again.

Probably.