DIY - How to replace a burnt out turn signal lightbulb

A few months back, Robert and I were in the Focus (he was driving), and he put on the left turn signal. It was clicking very rapidly. I asked him what was wrong with it, and he said he didn't know, but that it had just started to do that on his way home.

I did some quick checking, and sure enough, we had a burnt out turn signal in the back.

I went to O'Reilly's, and bought a set of 2 bulbs (I think it cost me about $3). Robert was unavailable to help me with this project, so I did it myself.

When I got back, it didn't take me long to figure out how to replace the burnt out bulb, but I had to do this again today with the other side, and decided to post how I did it. :)

 This is what the back of my 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 looks like. (And this is the side which had the burnt out turn signal).

When the bulb is burnt out (or has some other problem, such as connectivity), it will do one of two things: blink rapidly in the front or rear - whichever is not burnt out - or stay on completely (again, in the front or rear, whichever is not burnt out). In my case, I got the rapid blinking.

 Step 1: Pop trunk open.
Step 2: Remove butterfly plastic casings (3) from back of screws holding taillight in place from inside the trunk.

 The butterfly plastic casings look like this picture.

 You should end up with 3 completely removed when you're done.

 Step 3: You might hear a "click" or a "pop" when all 3 casings are loosened or removed. This means you can easily pull the taillight off from the outside of the trunk.

 Step 4: Being careful not to just let the taillight hang by the wiring as you remove it, pull gently back towards yourself.

 Step 5: Turn taillight to rest on the bumper or a tall stool so you can work (don't worry; there should be plenty of wiring available to stretch this small distance for you to do it. Just be sure you don't pull it taught).

 Step 6: The blinker bulb is the one near the base of the taillight, and is in a rather bulky connector. turn it gently counter clockwise so it loosens from the taillight casing.

 Step 7: Once you've loosened the bulb's casing, pull gently straight out. This is what you should see.

 Step 8: To remove old light blub, grip the black part of the bottom of the bulb (not the bulb itself; it can break and cut you!), and remove from the gray connector.

Step 9: Replace new bulb, being careful to put it in the same way the old one was contained.

 Step 10: Gently replace bulb casing back into taillight.

 Step 11: Gently turn bulb casing clockwise until it is secured back in place.

 Step 12: Align 3 screws on back of taillight into the 3 holes in the trunk.

Step 13: Gently push in until the taillight is situated properly with all 3 screws in the correct holes. Replace the butterfly casings on all 3 from the inside of the trunk.








That's my DIY tip for the day! I hope this might help some people who have new-ish cars like mine. I have no idea if they are all identical, but at least someone with a 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 can be helped by this post! :)