96 Explorer 3rd brake light.
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96 Explorer 3rd brake light.
My third brake light went out, I thought you could just replace a bulb but that is where the problem comes in, how? I checked the fuse but it is fine. I pulled the back panel off but I can not figure out how to get to the 3rd light. Any suggestions?
MF
MF
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From: Kelseyville, CA
96 Explorer 3rd brake light.
To get the 3rd brake light off a '95-'97 you have to drill out the 7 1/4" rivets and remove the trim. There is also a ballast inside the rear hatch (under the plastic trim panel) that can fail. Ford charges about $250 to replace the bulb & ballast.
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96 Explorer 3rd brake light.
You may want to search earlier posts on this same subject. I went through this same problem over the summer. It appears that the ballast is usually the part to go. It's $80 to $85 from Ford. The ballast is simple to replace. Simply remove the trim from the top of the door. The ballast is in the middle of the top of the door held on by two screws. Remove the screws and unplug the wires. If the neon light assembly is bad then the rivets will need to be drilled out as Reberhardt explained. Ford sold me a bad ballast so I ended up drilling out the rivets even though the light was not my problem. The light is $140+ if I remember correctly. I replaced my rivets with small screws so that if I ever do need to replace the light assembly it will be easier now.
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I had the same problem with my 97, they only made this setup for two or three years thank god. Mine was also the ballast, real easy to change. I went to the local u-pull-it and got one for under 2 bucks! The guy didn't even know what it was. Also check ebay they usually are flooded with the ballasts and the light units. Let me know if you can't find one locally I may be able to help you out.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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96 Explorer third brake light
I had the same problem with my 97, they only made this setup for two or three years thank god. Mine was also the ballast, real easy to change. I went to the local u-pull-it and got one for under 2 bucks! The guy didn't even know what it was. Also check ebay they usually are flooded with the ballasts and the light units. Let me know if you can't find one locally I may be able to help you out.
I will be more than happy to take one off of your hands. It's hard to find stuff like that in WI
Shoot me an e-mail at moparmark@wi.rr.com (old e-mail name that I have had for YEARS!!)
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Lafayette, La.
Don't buy a new one! I changed my ballast about 2 months ago, Got it on ebay for 14.00+ shipping. 2 screws and a plug in took about 15 min. to change out Replacing the bulb should be a last resort job.
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Even though used would be cheaper, I have to agree with the LEDs. They last much longer than most other lights, and they look cooler too.
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would never use realbrightleds again!!!
I fell for it- tried to take the 'easy' route and ordered the product from realbrightleds. It arrived in a 9"x6" bubble pack envelope. My first thought was of the 9' hot air balloon I ordered out of the back of Boys Life when I was 7- that one didn't work out real well. Anyway, contents were essentially a strip of LEDs, some connectors and extensive instructions on how to go about replacing the lamp. At this writing, I am on my 2nd hour of trying to separate the high center light lens from the the high center light body (following the instructions carefully). I must say that the concept of the rebuild kit for the high center stop lamp from realbrightleds appears to be perfectly feasible. However, it is proving to be more than a little difficult. Do yourself a favor and stick with the salvage yard ballast as a first go- you'll probably fix the problem and likely avoid some grey hair!
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From: Lafayette, La.
3d brake light
I had the same problem. I tried the jy's around here they wanted $25 to $40 for a ballast. I went to ebay , found one for $14.99+ shipping = app. $ 20.00. It took 3 days to come in. took 10 min. to install,two screws and one plug. A tech friend of mine said usually the ballast will go out long before the bulb and then the easiest route is to buy an Auto Zone 3d light, cut the plugs so you can just plug n go. By the way , my light is brighter than when it was new!
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