Issues removing license plate bulb

[Macky]

Hi guys,

A bit embarassing to start off with a seemingly rookie problem, but for the life of me I cannot seem to remove the license plate lights on my 2018 Expedition Limited.

I can see the tab to push in. Its almost identical to my previous 2012 Explorer. But I cant seem to wiggle it out to swap out the bulbs.

Is there any special trick or tool to use? Im almost thinking of removing the 4 bolts that hold the trim in place to see if i can access it from there.

Any advice or recommendations?

Thanks in advance

 

[benyl]

Both tabs at the same time with two flat drivers.


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[Macky]

You remove both at the same time?

 

[16plati]

You remove both at the same time?

Need to pop one side and then carefully pop the other while the other side is still out. Both need to be out at the same time yes. Two screw drivers and get comfortable being ambidextrous

 

[Macky]

So hold the tabs in for both and then pull? Gonna need an extra set of hands for this.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

I have done this on both our Expedition and Explorer. They housings are the same. You push in the tab nearest to the license plate on both sides. The other side will the come out once the tab is released. Youtube has tons of videos on how to do it.

Good luck.

 

[jking05]

Was looking into swapping out my bulbs also. Any chance you know what size the replacement ones should be?

 

[16plati]

Was looking into swapping out my bulbs also. Any chance you know what size the replacement ones should be?

The size is printed on the front of the headlight housing just below where the bulbs sit

 

[Macky]

I have done this on both our Expedition and Explorer. They housings are the same. You push in the tab nearest to the license plate on both sides. The other side will the come out once the tab is released. Youtube has tons of videos on how to do it.

Good luck.

I tried it a few times today with no luck. Ive replaced the ones on my previous 2012 Explorer with nary a hiccup. This just seems stuck in there.

All the youtube vids show pre-2018 expeditions. Do you have a link to a 2018?

I know this shouldnt be this difficult, but im just afraid id crack the housing as neither seem to want to pop off while holding in the tab.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

So hold the tabs in for both and then pull? Gonna need an extra set of hands for this.

Use a flathead screwdriver. Place on tab and twist a little while pushing in on the tab from the center "nearest the license plate". That side will come right out. Then from that end, pull the rest of the housing to the right and down (out).

Maybe post some pics of your housings so we can see what trouble you are having...

 

[Macky]

It finally came off. I changed the oil for the first time today and figured I'd give it another go on the bulbs.

I did notice a smidge of what looked like adhesive on the edge of the bulb housing closest to the tab on the right. I rubbed it off and it wad a tad sticky. Both had it. Maybe thats what kept them stuck since they were identical to the ones on my prev 2012 explorer.

Other than that, a huge sigh of relief it finally came off.thanks all.

Oh and props to the engineer who thought of the oil drip tray under the filter. I was anticipating a mess doing the first oil change but i had nary a drop spilled. Even the oil drain.

 

[scottdm]

Just installed LED license plate bulbs. They aren't super bright, which was my goal, but have the correct color to match my LED puddle lamps. Here are a few photos and a link to the bulbs that I used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019SKI5CC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Deadman]

Back in my day we wired the taillights and license plate bulbs to a switch so we could turn them off, not make them brighter! lol

 

[scottdm]

Back in my day we wired the taillights and license plate bulbs to a switch so we could turn them off, not make them brighter! lol

Agreed! These LED bulbs seemed to be the best tradeoff to not be super bright (only 3 small diodes), but still have the white color. Many of the other W5W size LED bulbs were covered in diodes (15-20 per bulb).