er okay so...
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ahskeetskeet motherfucker
Joined: Jul 2005
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er okay so...
This might not be the best place to ask this but I kind of need some help and was hoping someone might be able to.
I have 2003 focus hatchback. Well I have a tail light out. and I bought the bulbs and and everything. but i cant get the damn casing off the light. I only see one screw on the side and then it just wont budge. any suggestions as to what I am supposed to do to get the tail light cover off?
I have 2003 focus hatchback. Well I have a tail light out. and I bought the bulbs and and everything. but i cant get the damn casing off the light. I only see one screw on the side and then it just wont budge. any suggestions as to what I am supposed to do to get the tail light cover off?
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1. The inspection of vehicle lighting begins with the periodic checking of operation. Of course, headlights are easy. For taillights, you might need someone to stand behind the vehicle while you operate the running lights, brake lights and turn signals. You can also check for the function of these items by backing the vehicle up near a window and looking at the reflection through the back window. Your car's owner's manual is one of the most important tools for replacing vehicle lighting. You don't need to run off to the dealership just to replace a taillight, headlight or any other light in your car. Merely take a look at the manual, and it will tell you how to access the lights and the type of replacement to acquire. Most auto parts stores stock a full line of vehicle lights.
2. If a taillight or brake light (almost always the same bulb) isn't working, you need to access it for replacement. On some cars, you can get to the taillights just by pulling the socket out from inside the trunk. The Ford Focus hatchback has one screw holding the light housing in place on the outside. It's accessible by opening the tailgate.
3. Inside the storage area of the Focus, there's one plastic thumbscrew holding the housing in place. Once that's removed, the housing separates from the car. On Focus sedans (and many other cars) you don't even need a screwdriver, as the taillight housing is held in place with three thumbscrews that are accessible inside the trunk and easily come off using your hand.
4. With the thumbscrew and Phillips head screw removed, the entire housing lifts up away from the car.
5. To access the bulb in the housing, simply turn the bulb socket counterclockwise as far as possible and pull it out of the housing. At this point you can inspect the bulb and see if it's burned out. If the filament is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced. To remove the bulb from the socket, hold the socket with one hand and pull the bulb out with the other. Some sockets require that you turn the bulb to remove it. This type of setup has notches in the socket, and the bulb is keyed with tabs on the base of the bulb so it fits in the socket only one way. Most newer vehicles, however, are simply a plug-in setup.
6. The standard taillight (or running light) and brake light are contained in the same bulb. Both filaments are visible here for both functions. If one of the two filaments is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced.
7. At the front of the Focus are the headlights, sidemarker lights and optional driving lights. Replacing the headlights and sidemarker lights is a snap. No tools are required.
8. Access to the headlights is from under the hood. The plastic bulb cover rotates counterclockwise and comes off in your hand.
9. The headlight is a bulb unlike a sealed-beam lamp as used in older cars. With a sealed-beam headlamp, there are usually two or three screws and a ring around the headlamp that hold it in place. Once the light is removed, it unplugs much like the bulb shown in these photos. Getting back to the headlight bulb shown here, it removes and installs much like a standard taillight bulb. The three-pronged setup makes it so the bulb will only install one way. Simple and foolproof. In the Focus, there's a wire clip that holds the bulb in place inside the headlight housing. It swivels out of the way for removal and reinstallation.
10. The filaments in the headlights are similar to those in a standard taillight. There are usually two filaments -- one for the lowbeams and one for the highbeams. If your car has separate lights for high and low beams, then there will only be one filament inside the bulb.
11. Access to the sidemarker lights is under the front fender. Simply hold on to the socket and turn it counterclockwise to remove it from the housing. Inspection of the bulb is the same as with the others. Check to see if the filament is broken. If so, then a replacement will be necessary.
2. If a taillight or brake light (almost always the same bulb) isn't working, you need to access it for replacement. On some cars, you can get to the taillights just by pulling the socket out from inside the trunk. The Ford Focus hatchback has one screw holding the light housing in place on the outside. It's accessible by opening the tailgate.
3. Inside the storage area of the Focus, there's one plastic thumbscrew holding the housing in place. Once that's removed, the housing separates from the car. On Focus sedans (and many other cars) you don't even need a screwdriver, as the taillight housing is held in place with three thumbscrews that are accessible inside the trunk and easily come off using your hand.
4. With the thumbscrew and Phillips head screw removed, the entire housing lifts up away from the car.
5. To access the bulb in the housing, simply turn the bulb socket counterclockwise as far as possible and pull it out of the housing. At this point you can inspect the bulb and see if it's burned out. If the filament is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced. To remove the bulb from the socket, hold the socket with one hand and pull the bulb out with the other. Some sockets require that you turn the bulb to remove it. This type of setup has notches in the socket, and the bulb is keyed with tabs on the base of the bulb so it fits in the socket only one way. Most newer vehicles, however, are simply a plug-in setup.
6. The standard taillight (or running light) and brake light are contained in the same bulb. Both filaments are visible here for both functions. If one of the two filaments is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced.
7. At the front of the Focus are the headlights, sidemarker lights and optional driving lights. Replacing the headlights and sidemarker lights is a snap. No tools are required.
8. Access to the headlights is from under the hood. The plastic bulb cover rotates counterclockwise and comes off in your hand.
9. The headlight is a bulb unlike a sealed-beam lamp as used in older cars. With a sealed-beam headlamp, there are usually two or three screws and a ring around the headlamp that hold it in place. Once the light is removed, it unplugs much like the bulb shown in these photos. Getting back to the headlight bulb shown here, it removes and installs much like a standard taillight bulb. The three-pronged setup makes it so the bulb will only install one way. Simple and foolproof. In the Focus, there's a wire clip that holds the bulb in place inside the headlight housing. It swivels out of the way for removal and reinstallation.
10. The filaments in the headlights are similar to those in a standard taillight. There are usually two filaments -- one for the lowbeams and one for the highbeams. If your car has separate lights for high and low beams, then there will only be one filament inside the bulb.
11. Access to the sidemarker lights is under the front fender. Simply hold on to the socket and turn it counterclockwise to remove it from the housing. Inspection of the bulb is the same as with the others. Check to see if the filament is broken. If so, then a replacement will be necessary.
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Most likely you access the bulb from inside the car. You might have to remove a trim panel to do it.
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1. The inspection of vehicle lighting begins with the periodic checking of operation. Of course, headlights are easy. For taillights, you might need someone to stand behind the vehicle while you operate the running lights, brake lights and turn signals. You can also check for the function of these items by backing the vehicle up near a window and looking at the reflection through the back window. Your car's owner's manual is one of the most important tools for replacing vehicle lighting. You don't need to run off to the dealership just to replace a taillight, headlight or any other light in your car. Merely take a look at the manual, and it will tell you how to access the lights and the type of replacement to acquire. Most auto parts stores stock a full line of vehicle lights.
2. If a taillight or brake light (almost always the same bulb) isn't working, you need to access it for replacement. On some cars, you can get to the taillights just by pulling the socket out from inside the trunk. The Ford Focus hatchback has one screw holding the light housing in place on the outside. It's accessible by opening the tailgate.
3. Inside the storage area of the Focus, there's one plastic thumbscrew holding the housing in place. Once that's removed, the housing separates from the car. On Focus sedans (and many other cars) you don't even need a screwdriver, as the taillight housing is held in place with three thumbscrews that are accessible inside the trunk and easily come off using your hand.
4. With the thumbscrew and Phillips head screw removed, the entire housing lifts up away from the car.
5. To access the bulb in the housing, simply turn the bulb socket counterclockwise as far as possible and pull it out of the housing. At this point you can inspect the bulb and see if it's burned out. If the filament is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced. To remove the bulb from the socket, hold the socket with one hand and pull the bulb out with the other. Some sockets require that you turn the bulb to remove it. This type of setup has notches in the socket, and the bulb is keyed with tabs on the base of the bulb so it fits in the socket only one way. Most newer vehicles, however, are simply a plug-in setup.
6. The standard taillight (or running light) and brake light are contained in the same bulb. Both filaments are visible here for both functions. If one of the two filaments is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced.
7. At the front of the Focus are the headlights, sidemarker lights and optional driving lights. Replacing the headlights and sidemarker lights is a snap. No tools are required.
8. Access to the headlights is from under the hood. The plastic bulb cover rotates counterclockwise and comes off in your hand.
9. The headlight is a bulb unlike a sealed-beam lamp as used in older cars. With a sealed-beam headlamp, there are usually two or three screws and a ring around the headlamp that hold it in place. Once the light is removed, it unplugs much like the bulb shown in these photos. Getting back to the headlight bulb shown here, it removes and installs much like a standard taillight bulb. The three-pronged setup makes it so the bulb will only install one way. Simple and foolproof. In the Focus, there's a wire clip that holds the bulb in place inside the headlight housing. It swivels out of the way for removal and reinstallation.
10. The filaments in the headlights are similar to those in a standard taillight. There are usually two filaments -- one for the lowbeams and one for the highbeams. If your car has separate lights for high and low beams, then there will only be one filament inside the bulb.
11. Access to the sidemarker lights is under the front fender. Simply hold on to the socket and turn it counterclockwise to remove it from the housing. Inspection of the bulb is the same as with the others. Check to see if the filament is broken. If so, then a replacement will be necessary.
2. If a taillight or brake light (almost always the same bulb) isn't working, you need to access it for replacement. On some cars, you can get to the taillights just by pulling the socket out from inside the trunk. The Ford Focus hatchback has one screw holding the light housing in place on the outside. It's accessible by opening the tailgate.
3. Inside the storage area of the Focus, there's one plastic thumbscrew holding the housing in place. Once that's removed, the housing separates from the car. On Focus sedans (and many other cars) you don't even need a screwdriver, as the taillight housing is held in place with three thumbscrews that are accessible inside the trunk and easily come off using your hand.
4. With the thumbscrew and Phillips head screw removed, the entire housing lifts up away from the car.
5. To access the bulb in the housing, simply turn the bulb socket counterclockwise as far as possible and pull it out of the housing. At this point you can inspect the bulb and see if it's burned out. If the filament is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced. To remove the bulb from the socket, hold the socket with one hand and pull the bulb out with the other. Some sockets require that you turn the bulb to remove it. This type of setup has notches in the socket, and the bulb is keyed with tabs on the base of the bulb so it fits in the socket only one way. Most newer vehicles, however, are simply a plug-in setup.
6. The standard taillight (or running light) and brake light are contained in the same bulb. Both filaments are visible here for both functions. If one of the two filaments is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced.
7. At the front of the Focus are the headlights, sidemarker lights and optional driving lights. Replacing the headlights and sidemarker lights is a snap. No tools are required.
8. Access to the headlights is from under the hood. The plastic bulb cover rotates counterclockwise and comes off in your hand.
9. The headlight is a bulb unlike a sealed-beam lamp as used in older cars. With a sealed-beam headlamp, there are usually two or three screws and a ring around the headlamp that hold it in place. Once the light is removed, it unplugs much like the bulb shown in these photos. Getting back to the headlight bulb shown here, it removes and installs much like a standard taillight bulb. The three-pronged setup makes it so the bulb will only install one way. Simple and foolproof. In the Focus, there's a wire clip that holds the bulb in place inside the headlight housing. It swivels out of the way for removal and reinstallation.
10. The filaments in the headlights are similar to those in a standard taillight. There are usually two filaments -- one for the lowbeams and one for the highbeams. If your car has separate lights for high and low beams, then there will only be one filament inside the bulb.
11. Access to the sidemarker lights is under the front fender. Simply hold on to the socket and turn it counterclockwise to remove it from the housing. Inspection of the bulb is the same as with the others. Check to see if the filament is broken. If so, then a replacement will be necessary.
^ what he said...
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you coulda called or texted me jules
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"I am and what I do are not a taxable commodity for you to use and abuse" - Me
This is my fuck the government movement
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ahskeetskeet motherfucker
Joined: Jul 2005
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