I have a problem with the rear brake light on the hatch getting water in the lens and coming out of the light bulb socket. i took the whole lens assembly off and could not find where the leak was coming from. anyone have any solutions for this, besides drilling a hole in the bottom of the lens

Open the rear hatch. The lens assembly is held in place with two 10mm bolts located on the side panel, just under where the hatch closes.

after you remove the bolts the whole lens assembly will pull out and expose the bulb sockets.

Here is a video for a 2007 model. it is the same as yours.

Open the rear hatch. The lens assembly is held in place with two 10mm bolts located on the side panel, just under where the hatch closes.

after you remove the bolts the whole lens assembly will pull out and expose the bulb sockets.

Here is a video for a 2007 model. it is the same as yours.

Please don't forget to rate....thanks!

Exploded view of the rear light assembly used on the Explorer/Mountaineer models

The Explorer/Mountaineer models only use two upper lens retaining screws, the bottom use barbed push pins

1. Remove the 2 (Explorer/Mountaineer models) or 4 (Ranger models) screws retaining the lamp assembly to the vehicle.
   
2. Remove the lamp assembly from the vehicle by pulling it outward. On the Explorer/Mountaineer models, make sure the 2 barbed retainers at the bottom of the assembly release.
   

Pull the lens assembly out from the vehicle body to access the bulb sockets

Grasp the bulb socket then twist and pull it out of the lens assembly

Remove the bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out

1. Remove the lamp sockets from the lens housing by twisting it, then pulling outward.
   
2. Remove the bulb from the socket by pulling it straight outward.
   

To install:

1. Install the bulb into the lamp socket.
   
2. Install the lamp socket to the lens and twist it to lock it in position.
   
3. Position the lens assembly to the body. On Explorer/Mountaineer models, ensure that the barbed retainers are aligned with their mounting clips, and press the assembly until fully seated.
   
4. Install the lens assembly retaining screws (four screws used on the Ranger and 2 on the Explorer/Mountaineer).
   
5. Check the operation of the lights.
   

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if the panel is not damaged or only slightly damaged it should just be a case of removing the damaged tail light and fitting the new one, if all electrics work I would leave the socket

open the hatch and look at the side of the lens should be black and plastic. you'll find two TORX screws holding the lens on. remove the screws and give a good tug straight back on the lens. STRAIGHT BACK. (failure to pull in the correct direction could result in a broken retaining pin). it feels much more difficult than really needs to be. have faith. it'll go. good luck. by the way the bulb comes straight out of the socket. but the socket disconnects from the board by twisting it. be gentle here. test bulb for proper operation before reinstalling lens onto body.

There should be 2 screws holding the lenses on for the hatch light, remove those and cover comes off. The plate lights, access them under the rear bumper, they twist and pull out, then just pull the bulb out the connector. The running board light, under board, which will take the light assembly out, or a small flat head screwdriver, pop the lens off the top of board.

You can access screws from hatch behind liner. there should be two screws for each lens. Bulbs and socket just turn and remove.

Open up the hatch and look for the screws that hold the tail light assembly to the body. After removing them you can gently pull the whole tail light from the truck. You will seee the sockets that the bulbs are in and they twist like a bottle cap to get to the bulb. Just pull the bulb from the socket and reverse what you did to put it back together.

Open the back hatch and in the well of the hatch you'll see two big screw that hold the black trim that holds all the lights on the rear right side and the same for the left. Once you take of the whole console (it's a little tricky you'll have to pivot it like opening a car door for it to come off) inside back you'll see all the light socket pushed into the console. Turn and pull out for each socket and then you'll see each light bulb. from there just replace the bulb.

For the brake light open the rear hatch and check beside the tail light. I believe ther is 2 phillips head screws right where the light meets the rear hatch on the body panel. remove them and gently yet firmly pull the lens assembly from the corner of the rear body panel. Squeeze the clips on the back of the socket and twist to remove the socket from the lens. Push gently on the bulb and turn carefully to remove light from the socket replace the light and reverse removal procedure to install.