Ford Explorer
Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a low/high beam, turn signal or front
side marker bulb in the headlights of a 2011-2015 Ford Explorer.
 2014 Explorer Headlight |
 Rubber Headlight Cover |
 Pull Off Rubber Dust Cap |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fifth generation (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Ford
Explorer SUV in changing a burnt out combination low & high beam
dual filament bulb, turn signal or front side marker light bulb in
the headlight assemblies. Owners of other Ford or Lincoln vehicles such as the Fusion, Mustang, Taurus, Escape, Edge, Flex, Expedition, F-150, Focus, C-MAX, MKC, MKZ, MKX, MKS, MKT and Navigator may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Replacement bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Low/High Beam # 9005, Front Turn Signal # 3457 and Front Side Marker # 194. No tools are needed to access the low/high beam bulb. To change the turn signal and/or side marker, you'll need an 8mm socket with a ratcheting wrench to remove the rubber hood stop / bumper. |
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 Low/High Beam Exposed |
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Pull Out Old Headlight Bulb |
| The combination
Low & High Beam dual filament headlight bulb is located near the bottom
inner corner of the assembly. Reach in behind the housing and pull off the round black rubber cover from the rear of the bulb socket. Set the cap aside in a safe place. Rotate the base of the old bulb 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. |
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 Pry Up Retaining Clip |
 Disconnect Power Plug |
 Sylvania 9005 12V 60W |
| Gently pry up the plastic retaining clip on the electrical connector with your finger tip of a small flathead screwdriver before sliding it straight off the base of the old bulb. | ||
 Push On Power Plug |
 Insert New 9005 Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
| Try to avoid
touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb with your fingers or
anything greasy in the engine bay.
If you do get the new bulb dirty, wipe it clean with an alcohol moistened paper towel. Insert the new 9005 bulb in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. |
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 Push On Rubber Cover |
 Turn Signal & Side Marker |
 Rubber Hood Stop |
| Push the rubber
dust cap back in to place over the rear of the low/high beam housing. The Turn Signal bulb is located at the top of the headlight housing. The Front Side Marker bulb is located at the upper outer corner of the assembly. To access either of these bulb sockets, you'll need to remove the metal bracket that supports the rubber hood stop. |
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 Remove 8mm Bolts |
 Loosen Counterclockwise |
 8mm Bolt Removed |
| Remove the two
bolts on the metal bracket by turning them counterclockwise with the 8mm
socket and ratcheting wrench. Set the two bolts aside in a safe place. |
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 Remove 2nd 8mm Bolt |
 Pull Off Rubber Hood Bumper |
 Turn Signal Bulb Socket |
| Lift the rubber
hood stop bracket out of the engine bay. Once the bracket has been removed, you'll have easy access to the turn signal and side marker bulb sockets. |
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 Side Marker Bulb Socket |
 Remove Side Marker Socket |
 Remove Turn Signal Socket |
| I found it easier
to remove the turn signal bulb socket by first removing the side marker
socket. Rotate the front side marker bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. |
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 Pull Out Old # 3457K Bulb |
 Pull Out Old # 194 Bulb |
 Re-Insert Turn Signal |
| Rotate the brown
plastic turn signal bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it
straight out of the housing. Push a new clear # 3457 or 3457K bulb straight in to the socket. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. |
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 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Push In New # 194 Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
| Pull the old side
marker bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new #
194 bulb. If necessary, you may also be able to use any other miniature wedge base bulbs such as # 158, 168, W5W, 2825 or a compatible LED unit. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place. |
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 Re-Attach Hood Bumper |
 Tighten 8mm Clockwise |
 Test New Headlight Bulbs |
| Line up the hood
bumper bracket and spin in the two bolts by hand a few turns to prevent them
from becoming cross threaded. Tighten the two bolts in the clockwise direction with the 8mm socket and ratcheting wrench to just past hand tight. Test the new bulbs by turning on the headlights, activating the hazard signals and flashing the high beams. For more, check out my other
Ford Explorer DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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