Ford Repair: Brake lights on 1994 Explorer, blown fuse, fuse box

Question
The brake lights on my 1994 Explorer have quit working. When I hook up my trailer lights, the brake lights work. Also, hitting the brakes no longer disengages the cruise control, you have to do it with the off button. Is this something related to the brake pedal or a short or what? The fuse is fine. Where should I start? Thanks so much. Cathy

Answer
Cathy, you may have a switch on the brake pedal that is not working, or has no power to it.  Look under the dash at the pedal and find the switch (has two wires, one green and one red/green) and make sure the wires are not broken or unplugged.  Use a voltmeter to check for power on one of them, and power on both when the pedal is pushed down.  If only one has power, and the other doesn't provide power when the pedal is depressed, then you need a new switch.  If neither has power, then the fuse is probably blown - check all the fuses in the fuse box.
That same switch is the first switch to disengage the cruise control... there is a redundant switch that will turn off the cruise if you mash the pedal harder (it will watch the brake pressure and turn off the cruise when it climbs a little).
The trailer brakes use a different circuit, but are controlled by the same switch... so I expect you will find a good switch and a blown fuse...
now, why did the fuse blow?  A short to ground on a trailer is likely... if the new fuse doesn't blow, plug in the trailer and test it again.
Hope this helps...
Clay