How do you replace brake lights in a 97 Taurus

You likely have a broken wiring harness at the brake light switch connector under the dash above the brake pedal. You can buy a replacement stub harness from Ford parts.

The lights may be burnt out or the fuse may be blown. I would start with the bulbs. Please see the owners manual for the directions on how to replace the bulbs.

Hope this helps.

My 97 Taurus manual gives these generic instructions...

To replace a stoplight switch, first determine what type of switch you have.

If you have an electrical switch mounted to the brake pedal in the passenger compartment:

* Unscrew the switch.
* Unplug the wires.
* Replace with a new switch. Adjust as needed.
* Plug the wires back in.

If you have a hydraulic pressure switch that is mounted in the brake master cylinder:

* Mark and disconnect the wires.
* Unscrew the switch.
* Screw the replacement switch in.
* Reconnect the wires.

check brake switch on brake pedal arm

CHECK BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO SEE IF ITS TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL.IF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OR BRACKET LOOSE AND AWAY FROM BRAKE PEDAL BRAKE LIGHT WILL STAY ON.IF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH INTACT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEED REPLACING.WHEN REPLACING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OR IT NEEDS ADJUSTING MAKE SURE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH PLUNGER TOUCHES BRAKE PEDAL ARM WHEN YOU RELEASE BRAKE PEDAL BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD TURN OFF.

1. Step 1 Mark the brake lines coming into and out of the master cylinder using masking tape and permanent marker.
   
2. Step 2 Orient the tube wrench so that it grabs the end of the nut by first sliding it over the brake line.
   
3. Step 3 Pull the brake lines out of the master cylinder.
   
4. Step 4 Unbolt the two bolts that hold the master cylinder to the brake booster.
   
5. Step 5 Slide the master cylinder off the brake booster.
   
6. Step 6 Remove the bolts that hold the brake booster to the firewall.
   
7. Step 7 Remove the cotter pin from the pin holding the back of the brake pedal to the master cylinder.
   
8. Step 8 Slide the brake booster to brake pedal pin out of the mounting bracket.
   
9. Step 9 Pull the brake booster off the firewall.
   
10. Step 10 Install the new brake booster. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    

well i hope i can help -this problem happened to me on both my 98 and 97 taurus i solved the problem by cutting the plug off that plugs on to the brake light switch and replacing the plug with 2 female spade connectors . why the brake light switch ,that is what triggers the brake interlock **** to work when the car is running in in park .

check the parking brakes and the brake light switch on top of the brake pedal to see if it is sticking or need to be replace for the brake light staying on

look by were you brake pedal rest and it is a push on-off swich

yes the switch is located at the pedal lever. this is a common problem with sticking switches