How do you change the right headlamp and parking lamps on a 1997 Ford Explorer?

Answer 1

If you're wanting to just change the bulbs:

HEADLAMP:1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery

2. Remove the headlight housing assembly. Rotate the the retaining ring about 1/8 turn counter-clockwise(viewed from the rear) and slide it off of the base.

3. Pull the bulb sraight out of the socket. (DO NOT rotate the bulb during removal!)

4. Without touching the glass with bare fingers, insert the bulb into the socket. Position the flat on the base up.

5. Align the socket locating tabs with the grooves in the forward part of the plastic base, then push the socket firmly into the base. Make sure the base mounting flange contacts the socket.

6. Slide the retaining ring on. Turn it clockwise until it hits the stop.

7. Re-Install the headlight housing.

8. Connect the electrical connector and test.

9. Be sure and re-align or have the light re-aligned. Most service stations or dealer service depts. will do this free if not for a minimal charge. If you want to do this yourself:

1. Park vehicle 25 feet from a blank wall with gas tank 1/2 full and no large loads onboard.

2. With Masking Tape, tape a vertical line on the wall in reference to the vehicle center line and the centerline of both headlamps.

3. Position a horizontal line on the wall in reference to the centerline of all headlights (may be easier to do with vehicle a couple of inches away from the wall)

4. Starting with the low beams - position the high intensity zone so that it is 2 inches below the horizontal line and 2 inches to the right of the vertical line. Adjustments are made by turning the adjustment screw closet the fender necessary to raise or lower the beam. The pther adjusting screw is used the same way to move the beam left or right.

5. With hi-beams on, the high-intensity zone should be vertically centeres with the exact center just below the horizontal line

PARKING LAMP:

1. Remove the two screws that hold the top of the lamp assembly

2. Pull the assembly straight out to expose the bulb sockets. (On your '97 - it's a separate assemply than the headlights)

3. Turn the socket either direction to align the lugs on the socket with the notches on the housing and pull the socket out.

4. Remove the clip from the socket and pull the bulb straight out of the socket

5. Now follow the steps backwards to install a new parkling lamp.

The instructions make it sound harder than it really is. Should take no more than 15 minutes for the headlight and 5-10 on the parking light. Good Luck!