Questions and Answers

Replacing Taurus Tail Lights Q. Vincent, I'm normally no dummy when it comes to cars, but I'm stumped on this one. My 1999 Ford Taurus has a tail light out. I can't figure out how to change it. Not through the trunk, no screws holding the lens on. I checked the manual and it tells you how to change a head lamp (a no brainer), but with the tail light it simply says "See your Dealer".

I don't really want to pay a dealer to change a burnt out tail light. Can you help?

Thanks,
Skip

A. Here's how it's done Skip:

Removal:

1. Open luggage compartment door and remove quarter trim panel.
2. Remove three retaining nuts from rear lamp mounting studs.
3. Pull rear lamp away from vehicle. NOTE: To avoid damaging the vehicle paint, carefully pull the rear lamp straight out.
4. Remove electrical connector.
5. Twist bulb socket counterclockwise approximately 1/4 turn and remove from rear lamp.
6. Carefully remove old bulb from socket by gently pulling it straight out of socket. NOTE: Do not rotate bulb to remove.

Installation:

1. Install new bulb by pushing straight into socket until it snaps and locks into position.
2. Align indexing tab on socket and install bulb/socket into rear lamp and twist clockwise until it locks into position.
3. Align indexing tab and install electrical connector into socket base until it snaps and locks into place.
4. Carefully install rear lamp to quarter panel.
5. Install three retaining nuts and tighten.
   

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA

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