Third brake light question
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
Third brake light question
2004 f150 5.4 xlt 133,000 miles
After reading here and noticing the extra lame caulking job the previous owner did on my third brake light, I decided to change out the light.
I ordered from Ford directly to get the newer design.
Thinking it was going to be an easy swap, I ran outside 20 minutes before the family was to drive to the lake.
It was a mess. Near as I can tell, the previous owner put high intensity bulbs in the old fixture and then filled the depression with bathroom caulk. Then he ran a bead of silicone around the outside.
All I saw from the outside was water in the lens, silicone that had pulled back from the edge, and burned out bulbs.
After prying it off, it looks like the bulbs melted the sockets.
That means that I can't use the old harness.
I need to find where the harness plugs in
Has anyone done this? I hope I can get to it from the supercab dome light fixture.
I really don't want to drop the headliner. That seems like an ordeal.
Thanks for any hints.
IT
After reading here and noticing the extra lame caulking job the previous owner did on my third brake light, I decided to change out the light.
I ordered from Ford directly to get the newer design.
Thinking it was going to be an easy swap, I ran outside 20 minutes before the family was to drive to the lake.
It was a mess. Near as I can tell, the previous owner put high intensity bulbs in the old fixture and then filled the depression with bathroom caulk. Then he ran a bead of silicone around the outside.
All I saw from the outside was water in the lens, silicone that had pulled back from the edge, and burned out bulbs.
After prying it off, it looks like the bulbs melted the sockets.
That means that I can't use the old harness.
I need to find where the harness plugs in
Has anyone done this? I hope I can get to it from the supercab dome light fixture.
I really don't want to drop the headliner. That seems like an ordeal.
Thanks for any hints.
IT
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
resolution
Can't get to it easily from the supercab dome light. There is a black plastic backing to the dome light that is in the way. Looks like dropping the headliner is the only way.
I elected not to do that. I rigged the melted sockets on the old harness so they work. Not sure how long they will work, but they're working now.
Took forever to remove the caulk and silicone.
I elected not to do that. I rigged the melted sockets on the old harness so they work. Not sure how long they will work, but they're working now.
Took forever to remove the caulk and silicone.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,329
Likes: 4
From: manchester,ct
i have a 07 screw and dropped the headliner to install cab lights and it is not that big of a deal as you would think. really you have to remove the trim on the a pillars, the trim and seatbelts from the door pillars, and the sun visors.maybe 10 bolts alltogether. or buy an aftermarket led third brake light and just hard wire it in.
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BlakePopovich
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jul 25, 2011 10:00 AM
