Repair 7

Installing New Headlights on a 2003 Ford F 150

Ford uses halogen light bulbs housed within a headlamp assembly for forward illumination on the 2003 F-150 model vehicles. The bulb plugs into the headlamp assembly and is held in place by a headlamp bulb retainer, which serves to seal and isolate the headlamp assembly from the atmosphere. Over time, the filaments within the bulb can break due to vibration. Replace the bulb without the benefit of tools.

Instructions

Removal

1

Turn the ignition and headlamp switches to the Off position. Raise the hood.

2

Locate the two headlamp housing retainer tabs inside the engine compartment just behind and above the headlamp housing assembly. Pull the tabs slightly toward the rear of the vehicle and pull up on them to release the headlamp housing assembly.

3

Separate the headlamp housing from the front of the vehicle to expose the headlamp electrical connector on the back. Squeeze the locking tabs on the side of the electrical connector and unplug the connector from the headlamp bulb. Remove the headlamp assembly from the vehicle.

4

Rotate the headlamp bulb retainer counterclockwise to unsnap it from the headlamp housing. Remove the headlamp bulb retainer. Grasp the headlamp bulb and pull it out of the headlamp housing.

Installation

5

Insert the new headlamp bulb into the headlamp housing with the flat side of the bulb connector facing up.

6

Install the headlamp bulb retainer into the back of the headlamp housing and rotate it clockwise until it snaps into place. Plug the headlamp electrical connector into the headlamp bulb and push it on until the connector snaps in position.

7

Guide the headlamp housing into position. Ensure that the headlamp assembly is aligned properly with the alignment pins on the back of the housing, inserted in the holes in the body and engaged with the reinforcement ribs around the edge of the headlamp housing recess. Push down on the headlamp housing retainer tabs until they snap into position.