Check your back lights with the sidelights turned on. Bet they are not on.

If this is the case, then you need to replace the indicator / light stalk as the internals have fried themselves (natural causes). The dashlights are on the same circuit.

Things not working will be:
drivers lights-on door buzzer
rear side lights
numberplate lamp
front sidelights (but headlights will work)
dashlights / heater controls lights / cigarette lighter light

This is a common problem on all 1991 onwards Escorts.


1027172 is the finis number from Ford (they are about £70 though).