How do I change the tail-light bulb?

[97Sportrac]

I think it burnt out. I am a noob and I don't know what to do. Do I have to take off the left quarter panel to panel to get to the rear tail light? Furthermore how do I get to the bulb?

I am reluctant to do so because I had to take of the right quarter panel to get to the factory amp to do the amp bypass and then when I wanted to get new pins cause the old ones were kind of stripped from taking them out Ford was going to charge me $1.25 per pin! What the ****? That is ridiculous? Is there a way to nicely take the pins out? The vehicle is a 97 Sport btw.

Thanks for any help guys.

 

[Digger196]

open the tail gate and unscrew the 2 screws on the tail light. then pull it out and then twist the plastic there the bulb is burnt out and it'll come out. it's a 2 min thing to do.

 

[dogfriend]

You don't need to remove the rear quarter panel.

Open the hatch. On the side that you need to replace, remove two screws from the top of the tail light lens assy. The bottom of the lens just pulls out once the two screws are removed. Twist the lamp socket to remove from the lens assy. The bulb is a wedge type; it just pulls out of the socket.

Installation is the reverse of removal

 

[dogfriend]

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[EliteConcept]

also must mention that when you remove the tail lamp, it will take some force and make a really nasty sound like its breaking but its all good just pull stright out

 

[97Sportrac]

Thanks a lot guys! Went without a hitch... took like 2 minutes! The bulb was $2CAD. Better than paying $30CAD for a the dealer or anybody else to do it.

By the way... what resource is that that gives you all the instruction and maintenance information on the Explorer. That's really handy to have pictures and step by step help.

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by 97Sportrac


By the way... what resource is that that gives you all the instruction and maintenance information on the Explorer. That's really handy to have pictures and step by step help.

Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

Oops, just noticed he only ships to US. I would email him to see if he might make an exception.

 

[alphabets13]

a good tip i use is to put some vaseline on those plastic screw thingies that make that terrible sound when you pull the taillamp off. this will make them slide a little better and reduce the chance of breaking off.

 

[MONMIX]

Don't ya just love this place?