How to Replace the Headlight Bulb in a Ford Windstar

by Thomas West

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The Windstar was Ford Motor Company’s first attempt at manufacturing a car-based minivan. The Windstar was intended to replace the Aerostar, which was a front-engine, rear-drive minivan that was based on the Ford Ranger pickup. The Windstar was based on the Taurus platform and was powered by a transverse mounted V-6 engine driving the front wheels. The Windstar was largely unchanged during its production run from 1995 to 2003. The procedure for replacing the Windstar’s headlight bulb is similar in all models.

Step 1

Turn the headlight switch to the “OFF” position. Pull the hood release located in the area of the driver's-side kick panel. Slide the release handle, located under the front center of the hood, to the right. Lift the hood and support it with the prop rod.

Step 2

Locate the two retaining pins on top of the headlight assembly you wish to remove. Lift the pins upward and place them aside.

Step 3

Pull the headlight assembly straight out of the headlight mounting bracket, being careful not to damage the wiring still attached to the rear of the assembly.

Step 4

Pull the wiring connector from the back of the headlight assembly while rotating the bulb retaining ring in a counterclockwise direction. Now pull the bulb straight out of the headlamp assembly and discard it.

Step 5

Grasp a new 9007 bulb by its plastic base and insert it into the hole in the rear of the headlight assembly until it is fully seated.

Step 6

Push the wiring connector back into the rear of the headlight bulb that is protruding from the headlight assembly until it is fully seated. Rotate the retaining ring in a clockwise direction until it locks into place.

Step 7

Push the headlight assembly back into the headlight mounting bracket. Push the two retaining pins back into the top of the headlight assembly until they are fully seated. Lower the prop rod and close the hood.

References

Things You'll Need

Warnings