i have a 1997 ford contour that has no working running lights. I have traced most of the wiring from the fuse box back. the headlights, brake lights, turn signals, interior lights and flasher all work fine. I replaced the fuse box and all the fuses.

Use a test light to check for power to the sockets (with the headlights on). If not power is present, remove the headlight switch and check for power on the wire which supplies 12v to the running (also called park or marker) lights.

Ok, the headlights work. It's just the running lights that do not work. What color are the hot wires for the running lights. Do you know also which fuse runs the running lights, or is there a relay and where would it be. I have a fuse box under the dash and another box with fuses in it under the hood. thank you

The fuse box cover has the index showing which fuse controls which device if not,
Check the owner's manual for the index of which fuse controls which device.

Often the headlight fuse also controls the running lights.

If all else fails, check each fuse (in car and underhood). Replace any bad fuses.

You can use an ohmmeter to check the wires at the running lights. The ground wire will have almost no resistance (very low reading on the ohmmeter)when checked. Remember that the ignition switch and headlight switch should be off when using the ohmmeter.

In the interior fuse box (underneath the left side of the dash) check:
Fuse #33--[7.5A] (controls left front park/turn lamps) Fuse #35--[7.5A] (controls right front park/turn lamps & rear park lamps)
Fuse #31--[7.5A] (controls left and right license plate lamps

The power wire at the light sockets are:
The sockets have 3 wires, two are power wires, the black wire is ground. Of the 2 power wires, one is hot with headlights on, the other is hot with turn signals on.

Each of the fuses, which control the lights, gets its' power from the main headlight switch at connector terminals # 12, 3 & 4 each of these wires are red/blue. If the fuses are good. remove the headlight switch and check these terminals for power with the headlights on.