Rear bulb on f 150

[backlash 1]

OK, so this morning I go out in the garage to change the rear drivers side blinker bulb which is burned out. The lens cover is not held on with screws like other trucks i've owned. Looks to be a whole light assembly that must slide out? 2 obvious screws under the tailgate support cable I took out but the assembly only wiggled a little and would not come out. I figure there must be something else to take apart so I stopped before I broke something.

This is a 2005 f-150. Could one of you pros help me figure this out??

[para1911]

As far as I was aware...those 2 screws were all I had to remove to get the tail light assembly out. Iced up???

[jeffreyd]

take the two screws out and with a small flat screwdriver go between the body and light housing to pop the whole assembly out. they have tabs that lock the assembly into the body and you have to use something to pop them loose. should be all you have to do.

[backlash 1]

No, I actually was prying on it to get it to pop out also, but not wanting to get to wild, I stopped.

[jeffreyd]

they can be a bear to pop out. you wont break it, just put some black tape or something on the screw driver as not to scratch the paint. you have to use some pressure to get them to come out. worked on a complete fleet of ford trucks for years, after you replace the first time the tabs wear a bit and it is easier.

[backlash 1]

OK, thanks, a little more force and I was able to see the tabs and got it out. But, the bulb looks OK, I kinda wiggled the bulb a little and it started blinking, then as I was putting the housing back it quit, and I cannot get it to start again. I checked the plug with a test light and it blinks on one side of the plug, which is the + side? , so I guess it is the bulb after all?

Oh, and as I was putting the housing back in I broke 2 of the locator tabs, luckily they were the two on the tailgate side so the bolts hold in just fine.

[jeffreyd]

what the biggest issue is with most truck light assemblies is the heat. i took a small drill and put a hole in my lens to let the taillight heat to escape. also if you go by autoparts house, buy so dielectric grease and put it in the part where the bulb goes into the housing. it will help withmaking good contact and reducing the heat from the connection. the plugs will actually start to melt over time. glad i could help.

[backlash 1]

Thanks for the info. I will drill a small hole in the top portion of both lenses. I do have some dielectric grease, so when I pick up a new bulb i'll have to try the grease also.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Don't drill any holes in any lens assembly!!!!!! Your just asking for trouble with condensation and water to get in and cause more issues than just leaving them alone. The plugs melt/burn up because of poor contact not because of the heat the bulbs give off. There are plenty of burned up ground and turn signal contacts which can't be related to heat since turn signals aren't on as often as running lights.

[backlash 1]

Point well taken airjer, i'd rather not have potential problems down the road.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I wasn't sure if I typed that loud enough.

[Scott K]

I have seen the melt down a few times, what I have done was recommended and sold the customer led rear lights, they were about the same price to replace the assy, then it was to resplice in new OE outlets, but they look cool!