2003 Ford Taurus Rapid Blinking Directional Light

[FordBoss88]

Today (1/30/07), the directional light (when turning right) would rapidly blink three times faster than the left directional light. When I activated the right directional light, I noticed that the rear tail lamp was not blinking. What is going on?

[shorod]

You probably have a bad bulb in the rear. The bulbs are dual filament, and the brake/turn signals use one of the two filaments.

-Rod

[FordBoss88]

Thank You ShoRod. What is the procedure for replacing a tail lamp on a 2003 Taurus?

Thank You

[shorod]

I don't know the specifics for the 2003, but typically you will need to remove the rear portion of the trunk liner to gain access to the bulbs. Often the pieces holding the trunk liner in place will either be screwed on or just pressed in place.

-Rod

[mwt878991]

It I remember correctly you will need a set of torx head to get about two or four fasteners out.

Then eithe ra 10 or 12 deep socket. there are like four nuts that hold the tailight in. It has to come out.

You might want to put some dielectric grease on the fitting also.

Mike

[FordBoss88]

I removed two knobs (designed for tie-down purposes) using a T-50 Torx socket. I then pulled the trunk liner forward and secured it with a 24" galvanized rod (basically used the weight of the rod to hold the liner away from the working area). I then used a 7/16 deep socket to break the nuts loose. Then removed the nuts with a thumb ratchet. The lens has been seated for some time, so the removal will be stiff. Grasp the bottom of the lens and the top left (if working with the rear right lens) of the lens and pull hard toward you. DO NOT PRY! The lens is tough so give it a good pull. It will release. Lay the removed lens on the bumper. Both lamps (back-up and brake/directional) are bayonet mounted. Turn left, then out. The brake/directional lamp is a Sylvania 3057K. Here is the weird part. After removing the lamps, they were intact. I even put a light source behind the bulb and used a magnifier. The filaments were in perfect CONDITION. I then re-installed the lamps and NOW they work perfectly. Reverse the order to re-install. I wonder what caused the lamp NOT to work.

[shorod]

Thank you for posting the detailed instructions.

As for what may have caused the bulbs to stop working, it may have been worn contacts on the bottom of the bayonet base. There will be two solder "blobs" on the bottom of the 3057. When new, these blobs will be like a dome. However, after vibration and wear, these domes can flatten and begin to make intermittant contact with the sping terminals in the socket. If this is the case, you have a couple of options, get out the soldering iron and reflow the "blobs" to make them a dome again, or replace the bulb.

-Rod

[FordBoss88]

Thanks SHOROD. I will monitor the situation. I have since purchased replacement lamps and will replace should the intermittence continue.

Thank You,

-FB

[Willyum]

The procedure to change any and all the bulbs is explained in the owner's manual.

[FordBoss88]

Hi WILLYUM,

In some manuals, the owner is directed to the dealership for bulb replacements. I plan to get on EBay and try to procure either a Haynes or Chilton Repair manual.


As always, Thanks.

-FB

[Willyum]

Ford Motor Company included a complete list of bulb numbers and how to change them in the Taurus book that comes with the car. If you no longer have the one that was included with the Taurus you have, I'm sure you can easily borrow one.

[way2old]

go here owners manual and enter your information