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How to Replace License Plate Bulbs and Covers 1989-2011 Ford Ranger

Created on: 2016-09-29

Broken license plate bulb? Learn how to do this simple and easy repair yourself with this short how-to video

  1. step 1 :Removing the Cover and Bulb
    • Pry out the cover with a flat blade screwdriver
    • Quarter turn the cover counterclockwise
    • Remove the bulb
  2. step 2 :Installing the Cover and Bulb
    • Press the bulb on
    • Turn the cover clockwise
    • Press the cover into place

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Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks!

In this video, we're going to be working with our 2001 Ford Ranger. We're going to show you how to remove and replace your license plate light cover. While we're in there, we're going to show you how to remove and replace the bulb because it's a part of the procedure.

If you like this video, please click subscribe. We have a ton more information on this truck, as well as many other makes and models. If you need these parts for your vehicle, you can follow the link down in the description over at 1AAuto.com.

Here are the items you'll need for this repair: flat blade screwdriver.

The lens for our license plate light has been broken off. Fortunately, this is an easy part to change and restore the visibility and safety of your license plate lights to your vehicle. We have a trailer hitch receiver on here. We're going to have to reach through that up to the back of the bumper and pull this whole assembly down where we can work on it. We'll grab the socket and what's left of our old license plate lens, twist it counterclockwise, and remove it. We'll then push this socket and harness back up through the opening, pull it out the other side at the bumper.

To reinstall the license plate light socket into the lens, turn it clockwise to lock it in, line up their tabs on the back with the slots in the bumper, and snap it into place. As you can see, our new part from 1A Auto is a direct replacement and it's identical to the OEM part on the opposite side of the bumper.

To remove the cover for the license plate light we'll take a small flat blade screwdriver. You want to angle in toward the bumper a little, reach through this access hole in the back, and push down until you feel the tab click. Pop it out, remove the assembly from the bumper. Now, a quarter turn releases our housing, bulb simply pops out. Pop the new bulb in.

Reinstall your old housing, or if you're replacing it, the new one will go on the same way. Simply pop it over the socket and turn clockwise to lock it into place. Line up the tabs with the slots in the bumper and press it in until it clicks.

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this video helped you out. Next time you need parts for your car, please visit 1AAuto.com. Also check out our other helpful how-to and diagnosis videos.

2004 - 2004  Ford  F150 Heritage Truck
1991 - 2001  Ford  Explorer
1989 - 2011  Ford  Ranger
1997 - 1999  Ford  F250 Truck
1997 - 1997  Mercury  Mountaineer
1999 - 2016  Ford  F250 Super Duty Truck
1999 - 2016  Ford  F350 Super Duty Truck
1992 - 1996  Ford  Bronco
1997 - 2003  Ford  F150 Truck
1999 - 2003  Ford  F450 Truck
1999 - 2003  Ford  F550 Truck
2000 - 2005  Ford  Excursion
2001 - 2005  Ford  Explorer Sport Trac
1997 - 2002  Ford  Expedition
1990 - 1996  Ford  Bronco
1990 - 1990  Ford  Bronco II
1990 - 2000  Ford  F150 Truck
1990 - 1997  Ford  F250 Truck
1999 - 2004  Ford  F250 Super Duty Truck
1990 - 1997  Ford  F350 Truck
1999 - 2004  Ford  F350 Super Duty Truck
1991 - 1997  Ford  Explorer
1999 - 2004  Ford  F450 Truck
1999 - 2004  Ford  F550 Truck
1990 - 2000  Ford  Ranger
1998 - 1998  Ford  F250 Truck
1999 - 1999  Ford  F250 Truck
1997 - 1997  Ford  F250 HD
1990 - 1999  Ford  F250 Truck
1993 - 2009  Ford  Ranger
1999 - 2013  Ford  F250 Super Duty Truck
1999 - 2003  Ford  F150 Truck
1999 - 2013  Ford  F350 Super Duty Truck
2002 - 2005  Ford  Explorer Sport Trac
2005 - 2013  Ford  E150
2005 - 2013  Ford  E250
2007 - 2013  Ford  Expedition
1999 - 2013  Ford  F150 Truck
1999 - 2013  Ford  F450 Truck
1999 - 2013  Ford  F550 Truck
2011 - 2013  Ford  Fiesta
2010 - 2013  Ford  Taurus
2000 - 2011  Ford  Focus
2007 - 2010  Ford  Edge
2006 - 2010  Ford  Explorer
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2007 - 2010  Lincoln  MKX
2004 - 2010  Lincoln  Town Car
2006 - 2008  Lincoln  Mark LT
2005 - 2011  Mercury  Mariner
2006 - 2010  Mercury  Mountaineer
2000 - 2006  Lincoln  LS
2007 - 2010  Ford  Explorer Sport Trac
2008 - 2009  Ford  Taurus X
2006 - 2007  Ford  Freestyle
2002 - 2002  Lincoln  Blackwood
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1999 - 2000  Ford  Ranger
2005 - 2014  Ford  E250
2005 - 2014  Ford  E150
2007 - 2010  Ford  Escape
2005 - 2018  Ford  E450 Super Duty
2005 - 2018  Ford  E350 Super Duty
2005 - 2014  Ford  F150 Truck
2006 - 2015  Ford  Explorer
1999 - 2010  Ford  F550 Truck
1999 - 2010  Ford  F450 Truck
1999 - 2010  Ford  F350 Super Duty Truck
1999 - 2010  Ford  F250 Super Duty Truck
2005 - 2007  Ford  Freestyle
1999 - 2011  Ford  Ranger
2010 - 2018  Ford  Taurus
2008 - 2010  Mercury  Mariner
2004 - 2011  Lincoln  Town Car
2003 - 2015  Lincoln  Navigator
2007 - 2008  Lincoln  Mark LT
1999 - 2002  Mercury  Villager
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