Page 34 of 216
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.
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
34
Page 35 of 216
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.
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
35
Page 36 of 216

Replacing tail/brake/turn/backup lamp bulbs
The tail/brake//turn/backup bulbs are located in the tail lamp assembly,
one just below the other. Follow the same steps to replace either bulb:
Prior to pulling the carpet away, in
step 1, the trunk trim scuff plate
must be removed. This can be
accomplished by pulling gently on
the component until the 6 push pins
along the rear of the trunk release.
The part can be placed aside and
the carpet pulled away. To replace
the piece, re-align the pins and push
into place.
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and then open
the trunk and carefully pull the
carpet away to expose the nut and
washer assemblies.
2. Remove the two nut and washer
assemblies from the lamp assembly.
3. Pull the lamp assembly towards
the rear of the vehicle disengaging
the ball stud locator from the ball
stud socket in the body. Carefully remove the lamp assembly from the
vehicle.
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
36
Page 37 of 216
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket and push in the new bulb.
6. To complete installation, follow
the removal procedure in reverse
order.
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and then
remove two screws and the license
plate lamp assembly from the
vehicle.
2. Rotate bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
3. Carefully pull the bulb from the
socket and push in the new bulb.
4. Install the lamp assembly with two screws.
Replacing high-mount brake lamp assembly
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
37
Page 110 of 216

Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. See Guarding against exhaust fumes in
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the Seating
and Safety Restraints chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
3. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
4. Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
110
Page 130 of 216
Fuse/RelayLocation Fuse Amp
Rating Passenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
9 15A Right-hand headlamp
10 5A Left-hand turn/park lamp and side marker
11 15A Left-hand headlamp
12 10A Passenger air bag on/off switch indicator
13 5A Cluster
14 10A Air bag module
15 5A Not used (spare)
16 5A Driver and passenger heated seat modules
17 5A Cluster
18 20A Radio, Central imaging amplifier
19 20A Tilt/Tele motors
20 10A Front Electronics Module (FEM), Dual Automatic Temperature Control
(DATC), Cluster
21 10A Not used (spare)
22 10A Not used (spare)
23 10A Not used (spare)
24 5A Passive anti-theft transceiver
25 10A Not used (spare)
26 3A Windshield wiper module
27 10A Radio
28 10A Not used (spare)
29 5A DATC
30 5A FEM
31 10A Glove box and foot well lamps
32 20A Cigar lighter
33 10A FEM (Dimmer control lamps)
34 5A Outside mirrors
35 5A Brake pedal switch
Relay 1 —Not used
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
130
Page 210 of 216

FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
A wide selection of genuine Ford accessories are available for your
vehicle through your local authorized Ford or Ford of Canada dealer.
These quality accessories have been specifically engineered to fulfill your
automotive needs; they are custom designed to complement the style
and aerodynamic appearance of your vehicle. In addition, each accessory
is made from high quality materials and meets or exceeds Ford’s rigorous
engineering and safety specifications. Ford Motor Company will repair or
replace any properly dealer-installed Ford accessory found to be
defective in factory-supplied materials or workmanship during the
warranty period, as well as any component damaged by the defective
accessory. The accessory will be warranted for whichever provides you
the greatest benefit:
• 12 months or 20,000 km (12,000 miles) (whichever occurs first), or
• the remainder of your new vehicle limited warranty.
This means that genuine Ford accessories purchased along with your new
vehicle and installed by the dealer are covered for the full length of your
New Vehicle ’s Limited Warranty —3 years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles)
(whichever occurs first). Contact your dealer for details and a copy of the
warranty.
Not all accessories are available for all models.
Following is a list of several Ford Genuine Accessory products. Not all
accessories are available for all models. To find out what accessories are
available for your vehicle, please contact your dealer or visit our online
store at: www.fordaccessoriesstore.com.
Exterior style
Bug shields
Deflectors
Exterior trim kits
Front end covers
Grille inserts
Headlamps, fog lights and Daytime Running Lamps (DRLS)
Splash guards
Wheels
Interior style
Cell phone holders
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Accessories
Accessories
210
Page 214 of 216

Exhaust fumes ..........................112
F
Fail safe cooling ........................174
Floor mats ...................................60
Fluid capacities .........................201
Fuel ............................................175calculating fuel economy .......180
cap ...........................................177
capacity ...................................201
choosing the right fuel ...........178
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................182
detergent in fuel .....................179
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................175, 177, 180
filter, specifications ........179, 201
improving fuel economy ........180
octane rating ...................178, 205
quality ......................................179
running out of fuel .................179
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................175
Fuses ..................................127 –128
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless
control system) ...........................46
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............177
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................180
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................126
Head restraints ...........................73 Headlamps ...................................27
aiming ........................................29
autolamp system .......................27
bulb specifications ....................31
daytime running lights .............27
flash to pass ..............................28
replacing bulbs .........................32
turning on and off ....................27
Heating heating and air conditioning
system .......................................22
HomeLink universal
transceiver
(see Garage door opener) .........49
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................46
Hood ..........................................164
I
Ignition ...............................109, 205
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................100
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................184
Instrument panel cleaning ...................................160
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................28
J
Jack ............................................136 positioning ...............................136
storage .....................................136
Jump-starting your vehicle ......141
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
214