Ford Thunderbird (2004 year). Manual — part 7

Replacing headlamp bulbs

To remove the headlamp bulb:

1. Make sure headlamp switch is in
OFF position, then open the hood.

2. Pry up the two retainer pins to
release the headlamp assembly from
the vehicle.

3. Remove the nut from the back of
the headlamp and pull headlamp
forward.

4. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the bulb by pulling
rearward.

5. Remove the bulb retaining ring by
rotating it counterclockwise (when
viewed from the rear) to free it
from the bulb socket, and slide the
ring off the plastic base. Keep the
ring to retain the new bulb.

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6. Without turning, remove the old
bulb from the lamp assembly by
pulling it straight out of the lamp
assembly.

To install the new bulb:

Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of
children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do

not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.

Note: If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.

1. With the flat side of the new bulb’s plastic base facing upward, insert
the glass end of the bulb into the lamp assembly. Turn the bulb left or
right to align the grooves in the plastic base with the tabs in the lamp
assembly. When the grooves are aligned, push the bulb into the lamp
assembly until the plastic base contacts the rear of the lamp assembly.

2. Install the bulb retaining ring over the plastic base and lock the ring
by rotating clockwise until it snaps into place.

3. Connect the electrical connector to the bulb.

4. Install the headlamp on vehicle by aligning the lamp on the vehicle,
push rearward to fully seat the lamp assembly and install the screw on
the headlamp.

5. Push the two retainer pins down.

6. Turn the headlamps on and make sure they work properly. If the
headlamp was correctly aligned before you changed the bulb, you should
not need to align it again.

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Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs

1. Make sure headlamp switch is in
OFF position, then open the hood.

2. Pry up the two retainer pins to
release the headlamp assembly from
the vehicle.

3. Remove the nut from the back of
the headlamp and pull headlamp
forward.

4. Rotate bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.

5. Carefully pull bulb straight out of
socket and push in the new bulb.

6. Install bulb socket in lamp
assembly by turning clockwise.

7. Install the headlamp on vehicle by
aligning the lamp on the vehicle,
push rearward to fully seat the lamp
assembly and install the screw on the headlamp.

8. Push the two retainer pins down.

9. Turn the lamps on and make sure the new bulb works properly.

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Replacing front/rear side marker bulbs

1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and then
remove the screw and carefully pull
the lamp assembly out from the
bumper.

2. Rotate bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.

3. Carefully pull bulb straight out of
socket and push in the new bulb.

4. To complete installation, follow the removal procedure in reverse
order.

Replacing supplemental parking lamp bulbs (if equipped)

1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and then
remove the screw and carefully pull
the lamp assembly out from the
bumper.

2. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.

3. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket and push in the new bulb.

4. To complete installation, follow the removal procedure in reverse
order.

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