Changing front marker bulb

[marcw]

Before I get into this project, any tips I should know before breaking out the tools, thanks, Marc

[marcw]

Simple job. Although the parts store (AutoZone) computer said it takes a clear bulb, when in fact it takes an amber bulb, FYI.

[Big D's 300C]

Passenger side is a breeze. Drivers side is a b*%$h. Easier to just take off the front fascia.

[300CSRT]

Originally Posted by marcw

Simple job. Although the parts store (AutoZone) computer said it takes a clear bulb, when in fact it takes an amber bulb, FYI.

Not true it is in fact a clear bulb. The reason it lights amber is due to the amber lens. Here is a How To another member posted I hope this helps

Originally Posted by GoofyTimL

Spent this morning fighting the confined spaces of the facia corners to install the clear side markers and their stealth bulbs. For a second I thought I might be able to get access from above, but my arms are WAY TOO BIG to get past the headlamp housing. So put the car up on the ramps and go underneath.

After removing the facia pan between the facia and the engine pan (12 bolt-head screws and 6 push-pin plastic rivets) you can see the backside of the side markers. The rear side is a plastic snap-n-hold spring, and the forward side is a plastic pin onto which a self-threading 1/2in. (more accurately 13 mm) nut is tightened. With a quarter counter-clockwise turn, the bulb housing comes out and you can get the housing and wiring out of your way. Here's what the stock marker (passenger) backside looks like after the nut has been removed.



The black material is the end of the styrofoam bumper pad and it makes for tight quarters getting a wrench in there. If you're going to use a rachet then you need a "long" 1/2in (13mm) socket, otherwise the plastic pin will prevent the socket from seating on the nut. I used a 1/2 in. box-end wrench to wriggle in front of the bumper pad and work the nut off in not quite quarter turns.

The going was even slower on the driver's side because the air silencer further constrict room for wrench and hand... and I had to work left-handed and blind (believe me I tried to get my right hand/arm up there - no way). In the end I was able to work the nut off, but had to remove the silencer in order to tighten the nut on the install. Then there was plenty of room.

Aaron had suggested to "pre-thread" the new side markers and that is a VERY GOOD IDEA. In addition I used a hack saw to cut down the length of the plastic pin, so that a normal socket could be used to tighten the new markers. Why they don't cut that pin off in the first place is hard to understand. Here's a picture of the new side markers, threaded and one cut-down for illustration.



Here's the backside of the new passenger side marker installed and tightened.



I was surprised to find that the stock bulb is "clear" not amber...



Here's how it compares to the chromed Stealth Bulb...



Finally, the money shots... amber sides before conversion:



And the total match with the chrome theme of the H.E. after conversion:

[GoofyTimL]

Well THANKS for referencing my install description!

Yes, the stock bulb is clear because the lens is amber. Both can be reached from below, but if you have a vehicle with an airbox "silencer" you will have to remove it to access the driver's side marker. Even then it's awkward, and you need appropriate tools, e.g., a "deep" socket

Glad you found the task simple enough. Show us some pix!

[marcw]

I'm talking about the markers that are under the headlights, not the side markers.

[GoofyTimL]

You must be talking about the turn signal or parking light bulb then... never heard them refered to as a "marker" light before.

Not really familiar with the '05 limited headlamp assembly, but any bulb in there should be relatively simple to change... maybe a security ring keeper to be loosened, then just twist and remove the bulb holder and reverse to replace.

[aliens_300touring]

Easy peezy I just changed one that burned out yesterday.. it took about 11 seconds, just make sure to push the bulb all the way into the socket. or it'll light up half way or fall out all together