05 Explorer tail light
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Madison NC
05 Explorer tail light
We are working on the wife's 05 Explorer. She backed into something, and it poked a big round hole in the passenger side tail light lens. It is time for the yearly inspection, so I went to the Zone and ordered a new lens/housing. She picked it up from the store (had to order), and after a couple of days of my procrastination she decided to install it. She came the house a few minutes later, and said it would not work. The issue is, it fits, and everything looks like a match, but the new one has only two holes for bulbs, and the original has three holes. The original has a bulb up top that is the tail/turn/brake light, and one at the bottom that is for reverse light. The middle hole has a bulb in it, and wires going to it, not sure of the color of wires at this time. Have not been able to get the middle light to come on? Does anyone have any ideas about this third light, and what it might be? So far I have not found any thing on wiring diagrams or such that gives any clues. So I thought I would throw this out and see what might come back. Thanks Terry
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Does the lens portion of the tail lamp assembly match the original? Are you certain that your Explorer is a 2005? Ford switched styles of tail lamp assemblies for 2006. They appear like the physical dimensions might be the same, but the 2006 definitely uses 3 bulbs. On the 2006 the middle bulb is the reverse light bulb. In the 2002-2005 assembly there are three bulbs, but one bulb is a small side marker bulb. That bulb is much smaller than the three bulbs of the 2006.
-Rod
-Rod
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Madison NC
Rod,
You posed an interesting solution. Both tail light housings are the same, reverse light on bottom, no separate side marker light. On original light, the middle light is straight below the top light. The tag on door states date of manufacture is 01-05, so it would not seem to be a 06, but possibly a carryover from 04? I think the new housing will work OK, just trying to solve a mystery, that may never be solved? When I change over, I will try and see what the wire colors are, to see if that can help solve. Thanks Terry
You posed an interesting solution. Both tail light housings are the same, reverse light on bottom, no separate side marker light. On original light, the middle light is straight below the top light. The tag on door states date of manufacture is 01-05, so it would not seem to be a 06, but possibly a carryover from 04? I think the new housing will work OK, just trying to solve a mystery, that may never be solved? When I change over, I will try and see what the wire colors are, to see if that can help solve. Thanks Terry
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Madison NC
Got the light changed out. It works like it should. This Explorer at one time may have been a state, or DMV auto. It has a couple of small holes on the dash, like maybe a radio, or mic was used? On the original light, the top light had a brown wire, black wire, and a brown with a yellow tracer wire. The bottom light, the reverse light, had black wire, and a black with red tracer wire. The middle light, the one that is the mystery light, had a red wire, a white wire, and a black wire. It also had some type of id tag on the wires that stated date of manufacture to be 06-05, and the name Wheelen on it. This bulb is unusual, it is tube shaped, about the size of a AAA battery, and makes a loop in the glass tube, then goes back into the light socket about 1/4 of an inch or so from where it starts from. Rather unusual looking bulb. That's about all the info I have, and if anyone has a suggestion, I would love to hear it. Y'all have a great day, and only two more days to the Super Bowl of NFL, and then another week to the Super Bowl of Nascar, go FORDs. Thanks Terry
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,945
Likes: 1,359
From: NY/Canada border
Any chance that a previous owner may have swapped the assembly out using an incorrect year that physically fit and fudged in sockets that fit the assembly year? Always a crap shoot on older rides.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Wheelen is a manufacturer of law enforcement light and siren kits. I think your hunch that this vehicle was prior DMV or law enforcement is correct, and the mystery bulb is a flashing strobe light. The description of the bulb sounds like a xenon tube like what was used in strobe lights before LEDs became so bright and common.
-Rod
-Rod
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,945
Likes: 1,359
From: NY/Canada border
Wheelen is a manufacturer of law enforcement light and siren kits. I think your hunch that this vehicle was prior DMV or law enforcement is correct, and the mystery bulb is a flashing strobe light. The description of the bulb sounds like a xenon tube like what was used in strobe lights before LEDs became so bright and common.
-Rod
-Rod
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Incandescent bulbs also do not transition from on to off or off to on quickly, but rather do more of a fade on or off as the filament heats or cools. So for a rapid flash they don't work well.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Madison NC
Rod,
Thanks for your reply. What you said about the type of light, and Wheelen, sounds like a good description. We bought the vehicle about three of so years ago off a used lot. The mileage wasn't too bad, around 130, but have since had to replace engine at 165, and rebuild trans at 185. As shared from a wiser person, odometers don't register idle hours? Had co worker to get involved with an exotic dancer few years ago, and he got her teeth fixed, breasts modified, and a few other help outs. Then she left for greener pastures, (surprise?). At least we still have the explorer. Thanks for the help guys.
Terry
Thanks for your reply. What you said about the type of light, and Wheelen, sounds like a good description. We bought the vehicle about three of so years ago off a used lot. The mileage wasn't too bad, around 130, but have since had to replace engine at 165, and rebuild trans at 185. As shared from a wiser person, odometers don't register idle hours? Had co worker to get involved with an exotic dancer few years ago, and he got her teeth fixed, breasts modified, and a few other help outs. Then she left for greener pastures, (surprise?). At least we still have the explorer. Thanks for the help guys.
Terry
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hath
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Nov 1, 2015 12:08 PM
61 uni
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
0
Jan 15, 2011 10:38 AM
MCalvin460CI
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Mar 31, 2003 10:00 AM