How to Replace a Headlight in a Ford E-250

by Thomas West

The E-250 designation refers to Ford's ¾-ton E-Series vans. The first Econoline van made its debut in 1961 and was based on the Ford Falcon. As of 2010, the current generation of E-Series vans, which are truck-based, date back to 1975. Many changes have been made over this long model run, but headlight replacement is similar in all models. Earlier models and some newer base-level models use a sealed beam headlight, while newer models use an aerodynamic plastic headlight housing that contains a replaceable halogen bulb.

Sealed Beam

Step 1

Turn the headlight switch off. Open the hood. Remove the two retaining screws on the upper side of the plastic headlight trim surround with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the trim surround, and set it and the screws aside.

Step 2

Remove the four retaining screws from the metal headlight bulb retaining ring with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the ring, and set it and the screws aside.

Step 3

Pull the bulb straight out of the housing. Pull the wiring connector off of the back of the bulb. Push the connector onto the prongs on the back of a new H5054 sealed beam bulb until it is fully seated.

Step 4

Push the bulb into the headlight housing. Hold the metal retaining ring into place while affixing the screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 5

Replace the plastic trim surround and tighten the two retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Close the hood.

Aerodynamic

Step 1

Turn off the headlight switch. Open the hood. Push the two headlamp retaining tabs back towards the engine, then lift them upwards to the stop position. Pull the headlamp assembly straight out of the front of the van.

Step 2

Pull the wiring connector straight off of the back of the headlamp assembly.

Step 3

Rotate the headlamp bulb retaining ring in a counterclockwise direction and remove it.

Step 4

Pull the old bulb straight out of the headlamp assembly. Push in a new 9007 headlamp bulb. Replace the retaining ring and tighten it in a clockwise direction.

Step 5

Push the wiring connector onto the back of the headlamp until fully seated. Push the headlamp assembly back into the headlamp bracket. Push the two retaining tabs downwards, then forward to the stop position. Close the hood.

References

Things You'll Need