How to Replace Tail Light Bulb Socket 1998-2012 Ford Ranger

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In this video, we're going to be working with our 2001 Ford Ranger Flare side. We're going to show you how to remove the tail light assembly, so you can access the break light and turn signal bulb socket. This get corroded from moisture getting into them and they can dim the bulbs or stop them from working completely. This information will be very similar for the style or fleet side bed which is the smooth bed side. The tail light itself is shaped just a little bit differently, but everything is going to come apart and look the same once it's off. We're working on the passenger side here, but the information is going to be the same from the driver's side.

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Here are the items you'll need for this repair: Phillips screwdriver.

Open the tail gate. Remove the four Philip head screws securing the tail light. Once the screws are out, you can remove the taillight assembly from the truck.

The break light bulb is located on the bottom of the housing where the reverse is at the top. We'll remove the connector with these two tabs here. Simply lift up, slide the connector off the socket. Twist the socket counter clockwise and remove it from the housing. Grab our bulb, and work it out of the socket.

Here we have our old bulb socket that we removed from my tail light and our new part from 1AAuto.com. As you can see, they're exactly the same. You have the same socket receptacle, and same grip and connect in the bottom.

What can happen with this is: the seal can be installed in correctly, or the inside of the connector can wear out and allow moisture in, which corrodes the pins or the socket terminals. Making our light dim or inoperative. Fortunately, this new socket from 1AAuto is a direct fit part. It's good to go in just like our original socket in. We simply up the bulb back into the socket.

Reinstall it into our housing. Turn it clockwise to lock it into place. Reconnect our connector, and our light would be nice and bright, function like it should restore that visibility and safety to our vehicle. Reinstall the tail light housing on to the truck. I'm going to lean on it here to keep it in place while we reinstall our Philips head screws. Once we have on screw in, they'll hold it in place. We can install the remaining three. Close your tail gate, and you're good to go.

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