Lights above my lisence plate out

[MHanrahan]

Both of the lights above the lisence plate on my 98 explorer are out. I took out the 2 screws, but was unable to remove the bulbs. Is there any trick to replacing these?
Thanks

 

[wabbit]

check the backside...

Look behind the bumper and see if the bulbs are in sockets that will twist and pull out to change the bulbs.

 

[MHanrahan]

The lights aren't on the bumper, they are on the tailgate.

 

[MHanrahan]

Anyone?

 

[MHanrahan]

please anyone?

 

[mmcgovern919]

I have a 94 Ford and my license plate is on the bumper so I'm guessing here. Sometimes Ford likes to leave the visible part of the bulb fixed and the only way to replace it is to go in from the back. In your case, it sounds like you might have to go through the inside of the tailgate, but that sounds like an awful lot of work just to replace a light bulb. The only suggestions I would have are to try twisting or opening like a medicine bottle....pushing in and turning half a turn. If it won't go that way or just by pulling out, I would call Ford and ask them. I'm sure they've done a couple.

 

[RytM1]

When you take out the 2 screws, just use a little elbow grease to twist the housing free. I just took one of mine off to wire in my lumi-logo. There is a foam seal behind the white plastic base, that seemed like it had "set" from not being moved. Be careful when you work the light free because the bulb is plugged into the back of the housing.

 

[MHanrahan]

Finally I got it off, it just was pretty damn hard to pull it off. Thanks to everyone for the advice.