Under hood light bulb

[NedFlanders]

Anyone know what kind of bulb goes in the lightsocket under the hood on a '96? It seems they forgot to mention this in the instructionmanual. My light hadn't any bulb in it when I got the truck, so I don't have any old bulbs to look at eighter.

Thanks!

 

[mattadams]

Ned, thats strange, my Explorer has the socket, but never had a bulb in there too! Wonder if that was one of Fords most recent money-saving attempts .
Sorry though, I don't know the bulb number.

 

[NedFlanders]

I actually think ther has been a bulb there. I remember there was a bulb lying in one of the cupholders when I bought the car, but it was broken, so I thought it just was some bulb they had changed before I got the truck. First later, after I had trown it away, I saw that the one under the hood was missing...

ouff... stupid, ey..

 

[kps36]

It's the same build/type used for the interior dome I think. It is not a twist in, it is a small bulb with contact wiresout of the bottom and pushes into place. My son's Rangers hi-brake light uses the same bulb, if that helps.
Matt, I'm sure PIAA makes one, let's get a group buy going...lol

 

[espnfreak]

would like a piaa t-6 fit in there?

 

[ok89]

My 98 X didn't have an underhood light either. Thought it was odd that there wasn't a light but never thought to look for a socket.

 

[Flounder]

I too have no sign of an under-the-hood light... Wierd stuff heh

 

[yob_yeknom]

906

Don't be surprised if it doesn't light up all the time though. Mine has a mind of it's own.

 

[Henry]

Re: 906

Originally posted by yob_yeknom
Don't be surprised if it doesn't light up all the time though. Mine has a mind of it's own.

I believe these have a tilt switch of some kind (only turns on when hood is up), so there may be a problem with yours. Otherwise it could be your bulb's element is broken, but sometimes makes contact with the post and lights up anyways.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Re: Re: 906

Originally posted by Henry
I believe these have a tilt switch of some kind (only turns on when hood is up), so there may be a problem with yours. Otherwise it could be your bulb's element is broken, but sometimes makes contact with the post and lights up anyways.

The switch is a mercury switch located where the bulb plugs in. It is filled with mercury and when the hood is up it flows into one end and completes the circuit so the light comes on. (I learned that on this board!)
I know the problem is the switch. The bulb is fine, I've checked it. If I shake the hood a little or tap on the switch, it will light up. Sometimes anyways...

 

[NedFlanders]

Originally posted by yob_yeknom
Don't be surprised if it doesn't light up all the time though. Mine has a mind of it's own.

Yob_yeknom, since you've obviously got the bulb, do you have a chance to have a look an see what type it is(watt/ampere/etc)? Please...?
I think maybe we don't have any lights named piaa over here, at leas I've never seen any. Is that just a brand, like Hella?

 

[Yomie]

Yes, piaa is a brand over here, kinda like hella. Heere is a pic of Matt's X for ya..............................Matt I hope you dont mind me using u as an example.

 

[espnfreak]

would any small piaa's do the trick?

 

[yob_yeknom]

Originally posted by jas84
would any small piaa's do the trick?

It's just the little light under the hood. I doubt PIAA makes one. Why would you want to spend the extra money if the did?

 

[RytM1]

Originally posted by ok89
My 98 X didn't have an underhood light either. Thought it was odd that there wasn't a light but never thought to look for a socket.

For some reason, Ford in their ultimate wisdom, did not wire the 98's for an underhood light (musta been trying to shave weight...lol). Before knowing this, I tried going to a local dealer and they could not find a part number, so they ordered the light socket from a 97 and told me it would fit. Needless to say, there was no where to plug it in, and verified that with the service manager. The idea I have for the light is wiring one up to one of those "old-fashioned" pin switches, if I can track down a pin switch.

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by RytM1

For some reason, Ford in their ultimate wisdom, did not wire the 98's for an underhood light (musta been trying to shave weight...lol). Before knowing this, I tried going to a local dealer and they could not find a part number, so they ordered the light socket from a 97 and told me it would fit. Needless to say, there was no where to plug it in, and verified that with the service manager. The idea I have for the light is wiring one up to one of those "old-fashioned" pin switches, if I can track down a pin switch.

Radio Shack sells pin switches as do most automotive security shops. The reason Ford dropped the under hood light, as well as the glove box light and several other things that were standard on the '97 was to keep the price the same for the '98 versus the '97. Ford goes through cycles like this. They build up a model and keep adding more and more items onto it. When they peak out, they take away most of the standard features and then advertise the vehicle by saying same price as last years model. Then the next few years they add a couple of the items back and advertise them as a new addition. Just marketing.