How do you replace melted 2001 Focus wagon rear brake lights when the housing has melted and the bulbs spin and will not pull out?

Answer 1

Remove the tail light assembly from the vehicle to a work bench. Use a rotary tool such as a Dremel with a small grinding tip to grind away the deformed red plastic housing. Be careful not to damage the bulb socket. Turn the socket as necessary to line up the three tabs and continue grinding the housing until there is enough plastic removed to pull the bulb and socket free. Clean up the melted area removing disformed plastic until you have restored a relatively flat area to remount the socket. Replace the bulb with a new one now even if it's not burned out. Don't cheap out and put the old one back in at this point. It's a good idea to apply some dielectric grease which could help prevent high resistance and further melting. Normally, there is the bulb and socket will still tighen enough to stay in place. You may find, however , that the rubber seal is no longer effective in sealing the lens from water leakage due to warping of the plastic. Use some silicon caulking or "Draft Stop" type caulking to waterproof the unit and help secure the socket. If this all sounds too complicated, reach deep in your pockets for the dough for a new lens assembly. Then sell that Ford Focus before the ignition lock , transmission, wiring harness problems, broken coil springs, etc , etc, cost you more than you ever thought was possible. Poppy - Streetsville Canada