3rd brake light bulb replacement
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: New Salem, ND
3rd brake light bulb replacement
How does a guy get to the bulb on the 3rd brake light mounted on the tailgate??
Do you remove all the inside plastic trim on the gate or what??
Help!!
Do you remove all the inside plastic trim on the gate or what??
Help!!
New User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Kent, Washington
3rd Brake light
I had the problem on my 97. The plastic trim has to come out on the inside but even after you get to the light you can't just replace the bulb. The dealer told me that the whole unit has to be replaced. The whole unit consists of the entire trim assembly across the top of the hatch. Their replacement cost for the "bulb" was $300 including labor. The part was over $200. They changed the design of the light in 98 along with the shape of the hatch.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
The bulb is actually neon and is a one-piece assembly. You need to drill out rivets to replace the assembly on a '95 - '97. Likely your problem is the ballast, located behind the plastic panel and doesn't require rivet removal. Last I checked the cost of the ballast was about $80.
Mason
Mason
New User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: texas
third brake light
I replaced my 3 rd brake light on my 96 XLT and that did not fix it.
It is a neon bulb and I really do not think they can go bad (unless the gas leaks out)
Open up the inside plastic cover and look for a black box. That is your ballast
I would bet that is what has failed. Plus it is the much cheaper of the 2 to
replace. and easier also.
I get my parts from www.fordpartsnetwork.com
they are in Florida and do a bang up job.
It is a neon bulb and I really do not think they can go bad (unless the gas leaks out)
Open up the inside plastic cover and look for a black box. That is your ballast
I would bet that is what has failed. Plus it is the much cheaper of the 2 to
replace. and easier also.
I get my parts from www.fordpartsnetwork.com
they are in Florida and do a bang up job.
Junior User
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville, TN
There is also the possibility that the neon tube itself has shattered (as mine did) from the recurrent closings of the hatch.
I originally replaced the tube with an LED strip which worked OK for 3 yrs, but didn't put out as much light as I liked. ($20 at Autozone)
Last month I went back to OE neon tube and a new ballast resistor (to replace one the wife misplaced).
Light Assy F67Z 13A613 BA $222.40
Ballast Assy F5TZ 13B511 A $88.27
I originally replaced the tube with an LED strip which worked OK for 3 yrs, but didn't put out as much light as I liked. ($20 at Autozone)
Last month I went back to OE neon tube and a new ballast resistor (to replace one the wife misplaced).
Light Assy F67Z 13A613 BA $222.40
Ballast Assy F5TZ 13B511 A $88.27
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