Hi folks, I just bought a 2009 Ranger XLT and so far I'm loving it with the exception of a few problems.

I noticed that my license plate lights are not working along with the Turn signals, Break Lights and Caution Lights. In other words, the running light works on the tail lights but the brighter light doesn't.

I've checked all the fuses, replaced the lightbulbs, multifunction switch and turn signal relay and I still have had no luck.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help!

 

Welcome to the forum

2009 Ranger XLT(STX is different)

If running lights(tail lights) work then the 12volts is making it to the rear of the vehicle so the license plate bulbs have bad ground wire or bad 12v wire(shared with tail light 12v wire)
This 12v wire is a Grey wire, and there is just the one grey wire from front to rear of the vehicle, and it splits to the 2 tail lights and license plate bulbs

Rear Brake lights use a purple/white stripe wire via the Multi-function switch, BUT............the Cab mounted brake light uses a direct wire from brake pedal switch, does it work?
Brake lights use Cab fuse 19, 20amp, full time power
If Cab mounted brake light also does not work and fuse 19 is OK, then brake pedal switch is the problem

Turn signals use Cab fuse 20, 10amp, key on power(fuses 38 and 42 are ONLY for trailer light connector)
4-way flashers use Cab fuse 17, 15amp, full time power

Turn on 4-way flashers, do the front signal bulbs work and the dash lights?
They use different wires than the rear

Left rear brake/turn wire is Purple
Right rear brake/turn wire is Yellow

Brake and turn share this one wire on each side and it comes from Multi-function switch, front and dash turn use different wires from multi-function switch

There should be a larger connector at the rear with all these wires, to connect the vehicles frame wiring to the Beds separate wiring, unplug it, test for voltage there with signals on

Do Reverse/backup lights work?

People sometimes try to add their own Trailer Lights, splicing into these wires, which can cause issues down the road as the wires are now exposed and corrode or break

 

Dealing with a similar problem with my running/dash light/license plate lights not working but eveything else working. Im not 100% on the license plate lights though Ill have to check.

Thanks for the reply this is helpful. I checked the fuses and they are good.

Previous owner did splice in little blue fold over clip connectors and they do look corroded. Green wire was broken in multiple places, I think I fixed it up but nothing yet, Im going to get some more wire and try to do a better job tomorrow.