2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD lights

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, 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 Trade number
Park/turn lamps (front) 3457 AK (amber)
Supplemental parking lamps (if
equipped) 912
Front side marker lamps 194
Rear side marker lamps 194
Headlamps 9007
Rear stop/turn/tail lamps 3157K
Backup lamps 3156K
Rear license plate lamps 168
High-mount brake lamp See a dealer or qualified technician
Footwell courtesy lamps 168
Reading lamps 3886X
Dome lamp 6411
Glove box lamp 168
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your dealer.
Interior bulbs
Check the operation of all bulbs frequently.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
31

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.
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
32

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.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
33

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

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

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

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

The inside lights will not turn off if:
•they have been turned on using the dimmer control or
• any door is open.
The battery saver feature will turn off the interior lamps 30 minutes after
the ignition is turned to the OFF position.
Locking the doors
Turn the key in the door cylinder to lock the driver ’s door. Note:
Locking the driver ’s door using a key does not arm the perimeter alarm.
INTERIOR LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT RELEASE
Your vehicle is equipped with a mechanical interior luggage compartment
release handle that provides a means of escape for children and adults in
the event they become locked inside the luggage compartment.
Adults are advised to familiarize themselves with the operation and
location of the release handle.
To open the luggage compartment
door (lid) from within the luggage
compartment, pull the illuminated
“ T ” shaped handle and push up on
the trunk lid. The handle is
composed of a material that will
glow for hours in darkness following
brief exposure to ambient light.
The “T ” shaped handle will be
located either on the luggage
compartment door (lid) or inside
the luggage compartment near the
tail lamps.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Locks and Security
62