3rd brake lamp melting?

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Munkiebunz3

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I have a few bulbs out in my high mount brake light so I removed it to replace bulbs. I noticed that the housing is pretty melted & 3 bulbs are pretty much fused to the plastic. Anyone else have this problem? I would like to replace my rear lights with some blacked out housings (clear glass to maintain legality). Since I'm still under extended warranty I'm going to see if I can get a warranty replacement and keep it as a spare. Factory replacement seems to be about $70 if not under warranty.


So, I'm running into some research blocks. The taillights seem to be compatible throughout the 3rd gens but when I look at the ford parts website it has my15-17 cutoffs for the high & low lamps. Anzo makes tail lamps and their website has it through the model years for gen3 but the high mounts have earlier model year cutoffs. Anybody have any insight on either one of these issues?
 

ExpeditionAndy

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I have a few bulbs out in my high mount brake light so I removed it to replace bulbs. I noticed that the housing is pretty melted & 3 bulbs are pretty much fused to the plastic. Anyone else have this problem? I would like to replace my rear lights with some blacked out housings (clear glass to maintain legality). Since I'm still under extended warranty I'm going to see if I can get a warranty replacement and keep it as a spare. Factory replacement seems to be about $70 if not under warranty.


So, I'm running into some research blocks. The taillights seem to be compatible throughout the 3rd gens but when I look at the ford parts website it has my15-17 cutoffs for the high & low lamps. Anzo makes tail lamps and their website has it through the model years for gen3 but the high mounts have earlier model year cutoffs. Anybody have any insight on either one of these issues?
I replaced my Third Brake light with an LED version. The are the same for all third generation Expeditions.
 

Vancouver Bob

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I know my Expy is a bit older but I had the same melted plastic reflector thing going on with mine. Replaced with a new LED assembly like Andy did.
 

ManUpOrShutUp

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I haven't had that issue with my Expedition yet, but I had it on my Mountaineer. In 15 years it never stopped functioning though.

For the taillights, check out this guy. He uses OEM lights and you can choose the shade of tint. I've never personally ordered, but he's highly regarded on various forums.
 

1955moose

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Couple of things come to mind. Biggest issue that causes a plug for light bulb to overheat, is when a lens cracks, or the seal around the lens breaks down, causing moisture inside. The water getting in their shorts out the bulb/bulbs, and is potentially dangerous. Water and electrical current are a bad combo. I'm betting you've got a cracked or leaking 3rd brake light. Splice in some new plugs, and replace the lens/gasket.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk
 

lbv150

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Replace with LED bulbs or the whole assembly. The same happens to the lower brake lamps. This is caused by sitting in traffic or holding your foot on the brake waiting in a long bank or food drive thru. The incandescent bulbs get really hot. Just remember if you replace any individual bulbs with LED, the LED bulb needs to be the same color as the lens it is going behind. Never a clear LED behind a colored lens.
 
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Munkiebunz3

Munkiebunz3

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@getnbzi doing a led swap is easy. This time the bulbs have fused to the reflector in at least 2 spots for the bulbs making replacement impossible without breaking stuff. Once I break it I kiss warranty bye-bye.
@lbv150 ah yes, the forever on brake lights in Los Angeles. I wish I could just put it in 4Low & crawl instead of using my brakes.
 

ChrisRCNY

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That style of bulb has one body, and about 12 wattage ratings. Someone put the higher watt bulbs in there for you.

I went with red Led replacements, both for heat concerns and for faster on-time. The 168 led bulbs cover all the odd versions, 192, 2825, etc.
 

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