How to Change the Taillights on a Ford Escort
The Ford Escort is a compact car manufactured by the Ford Motor Co. An overhead valve, in-line four-cylinder engine that mounts transversely under the hood powers the Escort. The engine is mated either to a four- or five-speed manual transmission or to a three- or four-speed automatic, which drives the front wheels. Although the Ford Focus eventually replaced the Escort, the two models overlapped from 2000 through 2003. You can remove the taillights on all Escort models for replacement of the assembly or to replace individual bulbs.
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Instructions
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1
Open the trunk lid to reveal the two taillight retaining screws on the inner edge of the taillight. Remove the screws with a Phillips screwdriver.
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2
Bump the taillight assembly with the heal of your hand towards the outside edge of the vehicle to disengage the retaining clips.
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3
Pull the assembly, which still has the bulb wiring attached, away from the rear of the car slightly. Remove the bulb sockets from the rear of the assembly by twisting them in a counterclockwise direction, then pulling them straight out. Remove the taillight assembly from the vehicle.
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4
Push each bulb socket back into its respective mounting hole on the backside of the replacement taillight assembly. Twist the sockets in a clockwise direction until they are secured into place.
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5
Push the taillight assembly into its mounting bracket on the rear of the car until the retaining clips engage. Replace the two retaining screws.
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6
Repeat the procedure to replace the taillight on the other side of the car.
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Tips & Warnings
Escort station wagon taillights do not have retaining clips. Open the rear hatch door, then remove the three retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the taillight straight out of its mounting bracket. Switch the bulb sockets over to the replacement taillight, then install the assembly in the reverse order.
To replace Escort taillight bulbs, remove the taillight and bulb sockets as described above. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket. Push a new bulb in its place, then install the socket and taillight assembly in the reverse order.
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Comments
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"Bump the taillight assembly with...your hand"? This is bunk. It does nothing. Maybe the problem is that you are using a 1999 reference and my car is a 2003.
