2003 Mercury Sable Owner's Manuals

Dome lamps and map lamps
•ON or
D: The dome light will
stay on.
•DOOR or middle position: The
dome light will only come on if a
door is opened.
•OFF or
: The lamp will not
come on at all.
With the control in the middle position, the dome lamp will illuminate
whenever a front door is opened. If either front door has been opened
from the outside, the lamp will remain on for 25 seconds after the door
is shut. If any other door has been opened from the inside, the lamp will
shut off immediately after the door is closed.
The map lamp controls
(if equipped) are located on the
dome lamp. Press the controls on
either side of each lens on each map
lamp to activate the lamps.
Rear dome lamp (if equipped)
The dome lamp lights when:
•any door is opened with the
control in the middle position.
•the instrument panel dimmer
switch is held up until the
courtesy lamps come on.
•any of the remote entry controls
are pressed and the ignition is
OFF.
•the lamp control is moved to the passenger side position.
With the ignition key in the ACC or ON position, the rear dome lamp can
be turned ON or OFF by sliding the control.
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BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.
Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs
must be marked with an authorized“D.O.T.”for North America and an
“E”for Europe to assure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern
and safe visibility. The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly
or void the lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn
time.
Function Number of bulbsTrade
number
Front park/turn lamp 23457 AK
(amber)
Headlamp 29007 QL (9007
LL optional)
Tail lamp/brake/turn lamp 2 3157K
Tail lamp/brake lamp (wagon) 2 3057K
Rear turn lamp 2 3157AK
Rear side marker lamp 2 194
Rear turn lamp (wagon) 2 3456K
Backup lamp 2 3156K
Backup lamp (wagon) 2 3156K
License plate lamp 2 168
High-mount brake lamp
(wagon)2 912
High-mount brake lamp
(sedan)Must replace the hi-mount brake lamp
assembly
Rear side marker lamp
(wagon)2 194
Foglamp (if equipped) 2 899
Cargo lamp (wagon) 1 578
Dome lamp 2 12V10W
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Function Number of bulbsTrade
number
Dome/map lamp 3 578
Dome lamp/moon roof 2 578
Visor vanity lamp
(passenger/driver)2 DE 3021
Floor console 2 194
Luggage compartment lamp 1 212–2
All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your dealer.
Replacing the interior bulbs
Check the operation of all bulbs frequently.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in
OFF position.
2. Remove the bolt from the
headlamp housing.
3. At the back of the headlamp, pry
up and remove the two retainer pins
to release the headlamp assembly
from the vehicle and pull headlamp
forward.
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4. Remove the protective dust shield
from the housing by turning the
dust shield counterclockwise (when
viewed from the rear).
5. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the bulb by pulling
rearward.
6. Remove the bulb retaining ring by
rotating it counterclockwise.
7. Remove the old bulb from the
lamp assembly by pulling it straight
out of the lamp assembly.
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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.
1. Install the new bulb in lamp assembly by pushing straight in with the
flat surface of the bulb’s plastic base facing upward. You may need to
turn the bulb slightly to align the grooves in the plastic base with the
tabs in 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 protective dust shield and lock the shield by rotating it
clockwise until it locks into position.
5. Carefully position the headlamp assembly onto the vehicle.
6. Hold the headlamp assembly snugly against the vehicle and install the
retainer pins straight down to lock the lamp into place.
7. Before reinstalling the bolt, make sure the retainer pins are fully
seated, and install bolt on headlamp housing.
8. 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/cornering lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp control
is in the OFF position.
2. Remove the bolt from the
headlamp housing.
3. At the back of the headlamp, pry
up and remove the two retainer pins
to release the headlamp assembly
from the vehicle and pull headlamp
forward.
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove it
from the lamp assembly.
5. Carefully pull bulb straight out of
the socket and push in the new
bulb.
6. Install the bulb socket into the
lamp assembly by rotating it
clockwise.
7. Carefully position the headlamp
assembly onto the vehicle.
8. Hold the headlamp assembly snugly against the vehicle and install the
retainer pins straight down to lock the lamp into place.
9. Before reinstalling the bolt, make sure the retainer pins are fully
seated, and install bolt on headlamp housing.
10. 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 high-mount brakelamp assembly — Sedan only
To change the high-mount brake
lamp assembly:
1. Pry the light assembly away from
its housing and push rearward to
disengage it from the retaining clips.
2. Lift the front of the light
assembly from the parcel shelf.
3. Disconnect the light assembly
wiring and replace the light
assembly.
Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulbs — Wagon only
1. Open liftgate.
2. Remove two screw covers, screws
and handle from liftgate.
3. Remove two screws and the lower
trim panel from the liftgate.
4. Remove the upper trim panel.
5. Remove the rubber plug from the
lower access hole in the upper
portion of the liftgate.
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6. Remove four nuts from the lamp
assembly.
7. Carefully lift the lamp assembly
away from the liftgate.
8. Remove the bulb socket by
rotating it counterclockwise and
pulling it out from the lamp
assembly.
9. Carefully pull the bulb straight
out of the socket and push in the
new bulb.
10. To complete installation, follow
the removal procedure in reverse order.
Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulbs—Decklid spoiler
Your vehicle may be equipped with a decklid spoiler with an integral
multiple light emitting diodes (LED) type high mount stop lamp module.
If one or more LEDs burn out, the complete lamp module has to be
replaced. See your dealer for the replacement LED module.
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