2003 Ford Explorer Courtesy Light Problem

[kris0450]

The passenger side courtesy light under the rear view mirror will not turn on. The local Ford dealership says the only way to fix the problem is to replace the entire assembly - approximately $250.00. I know I have had these lights replaced before, never the entire assembly. The service writer tells me that it is "unserviceable". I cannot believe this. Does anyone know how to replace this courtesy light?

 

[FR-425]

How to replace a puddle light:

a) get the thinnest, cheapest, crappiest butter or steak knife you can find. The thinner the blade, the better. (note: i used a 'regular' steak knife and couldn't get it to work because it was too thick)

b) The puddle light lens on the 2003 is rectangular - stick the thin blade up in the narrow end of the rectangle, closest to you (furthest from the car). Stick it in a roughly over 1/8th of an inch. Be sure to be cenetered. If the blade isn't deep enough, prying motion will chip the lens.

c) Use a light prying motion, point of knife toward car, butt of knife away from car and the lens should start to easily come down on then end.. when it does, use your finger to assist it out.. with a nice thin blade it shouldn't require any additional tool other than your own digits.

d) if everything above went well, you have the thing dangling, twist the plastic plug like most of your other external bulbs and it should come out of the housing.

e) pull out the bulb, replace with new bulb, reverse process, go have some candy.

Hope it helps

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard!!

You are going to love this place. :biggthump

Here's how I do it on my '02 Explorer:

You do not need to remove the mirror to do this.

This picture is from the Signal Mirror How To. That's why the mirror has been removed.

Keep the mirror on the Ex and insert the blade as shown, then push up and away from door and the lens will pop out. Then twist the socket out of the lens to remove the bulb.

Be very careful with the razor blade so you don't cut yourself! If you are having trouble with the razor blade then using a very thin, small screwdriver might be the way to go! Mine popped out very easily with the razor blade. That's why I suggest using it. Better to be safe than sorry.

Hope this helps out.