The turn signal lights on your Ford Pickup have two major jobs to do that both deal with you safely operating the vehicle. Notifying other driver's your intended direction of travel and in the case of an emergency, the turn signal lights are part of the four-way flashers. In both cases, inoperative turn signal lights put you at risk by affecting the safe operation of you pickup on the road. You can replace the defective turn signal bulb on the 1980 Ford Pickup right at home within 25 minutes.
Tools Used: Phillips screwdriver, Latex gloves, Dielectric grease
Repair the Turn Signal Lights
Turn the ignition key forward to power up your pickup's accessories. Move the turn signal lever up and down to determine which of the turn signal bulbs at the rear is defective. Turn the power off and remove the ignition key. If the lights on the dash board don't give you a clear indication of which of the bulbs is blown stand at the rear of the pickup while you alternate the turn signal lever.
Lower the tail gate on the pickup. Remove the two screws on the outer side of the taillight assembly with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the single screw on the inner side of the taillight assembly as well. Place all three screws in your pocket for safekeeping.
Pull the taillight assembly outward, away from the pickup carefully because there are wires attached to the rear of the assembly.
Rotate the turn signal light socket counterclockwise a quarter turn and withdraw it and the bulb from the taillight assembly.
Remove the bulb from the socket by gently grasping it and pulling it straight out. Discard the bulb and put on a pair of latex gloves.
Place a fine bead of dielectric grease on the metal contacts at the base of the new turn signal bulb on both sides. Insert the bulb back into the socket and carefully push down on it until you feel it seat itself.
Insert the bulb and socket back into position on the taillight assembly. Lock the socket back in place by rotating it clockwise a quarter turn. Place the taillight assembly back into its original mounting position on the pickup.
Return and tighten the inner taillight assembly screw first, followed by the two outer screws. Tighten all three screws until snug only to avoid cracking the taillight assembly.
Close the tail gate and turn on the power in your 1980 Ford Pickup to test the new turn signal light.
Tips & Warnings
If the front turn signal bulb has failed, you can use the same basic procedure to replace it. Remove the four screws from the front of the headlight assembly. Pull the assembly toward you, remove and replace the bulb just as you did at the rear.
If you get any of the dielectric grease on any part of the bulb other than the metal contacts discard the bulb and start with a fresh one. The grease will cause the bulb to over heat and burn out within a week.
0 Comments