Headlight Bulb Replacement

[Deke]

I think I'm getting stupider as I get older.

I'm trying to put a new headlight bulb into my 2003 Ford Ranger but I can't figure out how to get the old bulb out. It looks like it should just twist or pull out but it doesn't and there's a rubber boot around the whole back of the assembly that seems to be permanently fixed in place as well.

Any Ford experts out there?

Thanks in advance.

[transam]

Sorry not a Ford guy but the rubber boot might be stuck cos it's been there a few years. Pull it about.

[Deke]

Thanks TransAm. I did quite a bit of pulling and twisting on the rubber but there was no movement at all.

I also found a video on the internet but the Ford Ranger that they were working on wasn't anything like mine. I guess the truck that they call "Ranger" in the US is different from what they sell here.

[hkt83100]

For the same problem at my Opel Astra I had an easy solution: I went to my mechanic and let him do it. I just paid for the bulb...

[katabeachbum]

Pull rubber cap off. its there to protect from dust and water, but pulls right off backwards, remains on wiring

release clips holding bulb

take bulb out. If new bulbs glass has been touched by fingers, clean it with blue 80% alcohol first. Fingerprints/grease on bulb will be burned to the inside of cars reflector and glass, and reduce brightness significantly. Install bulb same way as old one. clips on. rubber cap on

halogen usually have approx same lifetime,so replace both sides

[Deke]

Pull rubber cap off. its there to protect from dust and water, but pulls right off backwards, remains on wiring

release clips holding bulb

take bulb out. If new bulbs glass has been touched by fingers, clean it with blue 80% alcohol first. Fingerprints/grease on bulb will be burned to the inside of cars reflector and glass, and reduce brightness significantly. Install bulb same way as old one. clips on. rubber cap on

halogen usually have approx same lifetime,so replace both sides

You and TransAm were right, the rubber cap does pull off. My initial efforts were just too timid. After that, it's just one clip holding the bulb in place.

Thanks.