Get Lights Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

Lights

HEADLAMP CONTROL

Turns the lamps off.

A

Turns on the parking lamps,

instrument panel lamps, license

plate lamps and tail lamps.

Turns the headlamps on.

Autolamp delay system

The autolamp system sets the headlamps to turn on and off

automatically. The autolamp control, located on the headlamp control,

may be set to:

• turn on the lamps automatically at night

• turn off the lamps automatically during the daylight

• keep the lamps on for up to three minutes after the key is turned to

OFF.

To turn the autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise to

.

Foglamp control (if equipped)

The foglamps can be turned on only

when the headlamp control is in

A

the

,

and

position and

the high beams are not turned on.

Pull headlamp control towards you

to turn foglamps on. The foglamp

indicator light

will illuminate

when foglamp is activated.

Push the headlamp control towards the instrument panel to deactivate

the foglamps.

Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)

To activate DRL:

• the ignition must be in the ON position and

• the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position

• the parking brake must be disengaged.

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights

Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during

inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System

does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide

adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your

headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.

High beams

Push the lever toward the

instrument panel to activate. Pull

the lever towards you to deactivate.

INT2

INT1

OFF

Flash to pass

Pull the lever toward you to

activate. Release the lever to

deactivate.

INT2

INT1

OFF

PANEL DIMMER CONTROL

Move the control up and down to

adjust the intensity of the panel

A

lighting. Operates only when the

exterior lights are switched on.

Move the control to the full upright

position (past detent) to turn on the

interior lamps.

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights

Move the control to the full down position (past detent) to prevent

interior lamps from illuminating when the doors are opened.

AIMING THE HEADLAMPS

The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed before leaving the

assembly plant. If your vehicle is involved in an accident or if you have

problems fixing the alignment of your headlamps, have them checked by

a qualified service technician.

Headlamp aim adjustment

The headlamps on your vehicle can only be vertically adjusted. Your

vehicle does not require horizontal aim adjustments.

To adjust the headlamps:

1. Park your vehicle on a level

surface about 7.6 meters (25 feet)

away from a vertical plain surface

(3). Check your headlamp alignment

at night or in a dark area so that

you can see the headlamp beam

pattern.

• (1) Eight feet

• (2) Center height of lamp to

ground

• (3) Twenty-five feet

• (4) Horizontal reference line

2. The center of the headlamp has a 3.0 mm circle on the lens. Measure

the height from the center of your headlamp to the ground (2) and mark

a 2.4 meter (8 foot) long horizontal line on the plain surface (1) at this

height (masking tape works well).

3. Turn on the low beam headlamps.

The brightest part of the light

should be below the horizontal line

(4). If it is above the line the

headlamp will need to be adjusted.

4. Open the hood.

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights

5. Locate the vertical adjuster for

each headlamp. Adjust the aim by

turning the adjuster control either

clockwise (to adjust down) or

counterclockwise (to adjust up).

Note: Use a 4 mm socket or box

wrench to turn the vertical adjuster

control.

6. Horizontal aiming is not required

for this vehicle and is

non-adjustable.

TURN SIGNAL CONTROL

• Push down to activate the left

turn signal.

• Push up to activate the right turn

signal.

INT2

INT1

OFF

INTERIOR LAMPS

Courtesy/reading lamps

The courtesy lamp will turn on

when:

• any door is opened, unless the

dimmer switch is in the full down

position.

• the instrument panel dimmer

switch is rotated all the way up

(past detent).

• pressing the

on the remote

entry key fob and the ignition is

in the OFF position.

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights

NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with the Remote Keyless Entry

feature, the courtesy lamp will remain on for 25 seconds after the door is

shut or until the ignition is turned to the ON position.

To use the reading lamps:

• Press the rocker control located near each reading lamp to turn it on.

• Press the rocker control again to turn it off.

Cargo/reading lamps

The dome portion of the lamp or

the center light can be turned on

when the headlamp control is

rotated fully up or when a door is

opened.

With the ignition in the ACC or ON position, the rear dome lamp can be

turned ON or OFF by sliding the control.

BULBS

Replacing exterior bulbs

Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.

Replacing the interior bulbs

Check the operation of the bulbs frequently. To replace any of the

interior bulbs, see a dealer or qualified technician.

Using the right bulbs

Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs

must be marked with an authorized “D.O.T.” for North America and an

“E” for Europe to assure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern

and safe visibility. Using incorrect bulbs may damage the lamp assembly

or void the lamp assembly warranty or may not provide quality bulb burn

time.

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights

Function

Number of bulbs

Trade number

Park/turn lamps

(front)

2

3157 AK (amber)

Headlamp high beam

Headlamp low beam

Rear stop/turn/tail

lamps

2

9005

9006

3157K

Rear license plate

lamps

2

168

Backup lamp

High-mount stop

lamps

2

5

3156K

W5W

Fog lamp

Cargo lamp

Interior overhead lamp

Front door courtesy

lamp

2

1

9145

211-2

912 (906)

168

Map lamps

Ashtray lamp

2

1

168 (T10)

161

All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.

To replace all instrument panel lights - see your dealer.

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights

Replacing headlamp bulbs

Do not touch the glass of a halogen bulb.

1. Turn off the headlamps and open

the hood.

2. Pry up the two retainer pins until

they stop to release the headlamps

assembly from the vehicle, then pull

headlamp forward.

3. Disconnect the electrical

connector by pushing the center tab

and pulling down.

4. Remove the old bulb by turning

counterclockwise to unlock and pull

it out.

Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of

children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do

not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to

break the next time the headlamps are operated.

Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights

Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal/sidemarker bulbs

1. Turn off the headlamp switch to

off.

2. Remove headlamp screw from the

bulb assembly.

3. Disengage lamp assembly.

4. Rotate the bulb socket

counterclockwise and remove it

from the lamp assembly.

5. Pull the bulb straight out.

Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).

Replacing tail/brake/turn/backup lamp bulbs

1. Turn the headlamp switch to OFF

and open the liftgate.

2. Remove the two screws from the

lamp assembly.

3. Remove the lamp assembly.

4. Rotate the bulb socket

counterclockwise and remove it

from the lamp assembly.

5. Pull the bulb straight out of the

socket.

Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights

Replacing foglamp bulbs

1. Make sure the headlamp switch is

in the OFF position and then

remove the plastic splash shield, by

removing the two screws on the

front of the fenderwell.

2. Remove the bulb socket from the

foglamp by turning it

counterclockwise.

3. Disconnect the electrical connector.

Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).

Replacing license plate lamp bulbs

1. Make sure the headlamp switch is

in the OFF position and then

remove two screws and the license

plate lamp assembly.

2. Remove the bulb socket from the

lamp assembly by turning

counterclockwise and pull the bulb

straight out.

Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).

Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulb

1. Remove the two screws and lamp

assembly from vehicle.

2. Remove the bulb socket from the

lamp assembly by depressing the

snaps and pull the bulb straight out.

Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).

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2003 Explorer (exp)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)

USA English (fus)

Lights for Your Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

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