i have a escort bonus with turbo interior/motor/ect and have had problems with the lights, particularly the rear. so far i managed to get the indicators to work, brake lights to work but not the tail light. at one point i could get them all working individually but not in sync. ie if the lights are turned on, the brake light would stay on and would work in place of the tail light. when the pedal is pressed the light would get slightly brighter or one side goes out. also the lights wont come on unless the ignition is one. i also lost my clock lights. i have ordered new rear bulb holders but i think it could be something else. on occasions the rear lights dont come on at all but when the wiring/holders are distured they sometimes come on again. any ideas?

 

Check the earths. Have you tried new stalks? Had that problem on my escort van and it was the stalks.

 

rear clusters can case this on escorts

 

Regarding the brake lights in particular, are you sure you've got the bulb the right way round? (sounds utterly daft but I made that mistake and sat there for hours wondering why my brake lights were always on).