How to Replace Ford C-Max Energi / Hybrid Tail Light - (US Edition)

[@AmplifyDIY]

What does everyone think about using dielectric grease on the contacts when replacing a bulb? I did not on this bulb because it's not in an area that is exposed to much moisture, etc. Do you use grease when changing tail lights like this? Why or why not?

[@XXMETAL4LIF3XX]

i think since its in a well sealed area and is still pretty new it should be fine without it for now. maybe as it gets older put some on.

[@kellykirkpatrick8978]

And I showed her your video and she was able to do it in no time at all so fabulous video good job

[@simontheeldergeek523]

Honestly, we've got a UK sliding door model, I think the lamp fittings were nearly as good as day one.

[@timothyjohnson4285]

If you're not a professional instructor, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD BE!! Very pleasant, and clear speaking voice with command of fluid speech. Your videos are enjoyable and right to the heart of the task at hand. Thanks, and keep em coming.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you, Timothy! 😃

[@colleenthompson6259]

Wow! You can't get a more clearer instruction than this. Excellent instructions. We had our bulb replaced in 20 minutes. $5 dollar fix vs $40 at the dealer. Thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Great to hear!

[@georgemhayward]

Thank you so much! This was excellent. The only thing I would add/suggest is that you can disconnect the wire before pulling out the tail light assembly. That way, you don't risk yanking the cord when pulling out the assembly. That's how the owner's manual suggests doing it, but admittedly it's a little trickier to disconnect the wire that way.

[@mohammadabuawwad7096]

Before watching this I had no idea how to replace I was going to have to take it to a shop I used this technique it was surprisingly very easy I got my bulb back working again Thank you so much

[@Theo80126]

Thank God for this video. The owner's manual only says to remove the bulb connector and unscrew the wing nut.

[@leigh-annefyfe8353]

Thanks for this easy to follow video, job done in a flash, saved myself £8 install THANKS!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Nice!

[@olympianpickleball]

I got the job done in 15 min. Thank you.

[@billyhellmaker]

This was really easy. I have owned cars that made this task a real pain. I'm not fan of the Cmax - failed rear bearings at 55k (super tough job in the driveway), EV battery went bad at 50k (dealer wanted 10k for the new battery, I did it for $2,500 instead) but this is one thing about the Cmax I like!

[@joe-beckystontz1669]

Great video! You explained things so well. You’re an excellent teacher.

[@chrisvalentine8351]

Thanks! I was clueless how to take the tail light out. Great video!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CharleyDalai]

Thanks for this. Just did this today, and your video took the mystery out, for this non-handyman.

[@AmplifyDIY]

I'm so glad it was helpful. Thanks for letting me know!

[@simontheeldergeek523]

Thanks, UK sliding door model only had one fastening, but you put me in the right direction.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad I could help!

[@autumnravenwood9200]

Thank you so much for making this easy to understand.

[@alfredkretzschmar3899]

Great step by step video. Thank you for sharing! Do you have one for replacing brakes?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Not yet, but I'll add it to my list and the next time I do a brake job on one of my cars I'll shoot it. Thanks for watching!

[@mokey666]

great video. you should make one for the headlights of the cmax

[@davispomo]

Thank you man, quick and easy.

[@marcosramos4596]

This guy is saving us money!

[@marilenacavazos1357]

thank you for your help! reading the manual then watching video made this extremely easy to change 💪🏼

[@AmplifyDIY]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@Sly88Frye]

It looks like I can very well do this for replacing my broken turn signal. My brake lights work fine, but the problem is my rear left turn signal and you showed the left so that helps even more

[@JamesTenniswood]

Thanks for your helpful guide. So much easier when you know the tricks.

[@jodymcintyre2216]

Very approachable video. Well done!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@latischahuller]

Just bought a 2016, thanks for the video!

[@AmplifyDIY]

We've loved ours. Hope yours is great, too!

[@jcsenne1]

Thanks, now I know how to change this part.

[@ChiefBearKing]

What about the tailgate loght up top? I see its not on in the video either is it just a reflector? Theres a little black button or screw on the right side of mine and I didnt want to break it off.

[@notAsheep87]

Folks, Be careful when unscrewing the off-white plastic screws. I wasn't careful enough and dropped one down. It is essentially irretrievable. When changing the other bulb i noticed whoever owned the vehicle before myself must have also had the same issue. It seems to be secure with one screw but fair warning.

[@AmplifyDIY]

This is a great tip! Hang onto those plastic screws tightly!

[@ahmedmoustafa6829]

I have the same issue. Did you mange to get it out??

[@LisaChandlercabolisa]

Same exact thing happened tonight when replacing the light bulb socket. It's currently being held together with just 1 post. I'm going to have to look online for a replacement post since I can't locate it in the depths of the trunk abyss.

[@ahmedmoustafa6829]

@@LisaChandlercabolisa if you found the bolt online, just let us know. I also want to buy one.

[@Carpearpet]

@@AmplifyDIY so yesterday it hapend to me also, does anyone knows how can get it from the bottom? And where can we buy this post screws? Please help

[@tomli4229]

Wonderful demonstration!

[@benjamingouverneur]

Great video! 👍

[@timkerwin6886]

Great video; quick question. I need to replace rear brake light bulb. Is the one you installed the same for Brake light? Thanks

[@AmplifyDIY]

I'm not sure (and no longer own this car)... however, if you go into your local auto parts store they should be able to look up the correct bulb for you with no problem. Good luck!

[@timkerwin6886]

@@AmplifyDIY I bought them at Auto Nation. Cheers

[@johnkelly9369]

Do you have a video showing removal of the cluster from the tailgate too?? It might be similar to your video but wanted to check first. I have a broken lens that needs replacing. Thank you. Jk

[@peterthorwarth7550]

Very helpful. THANK YOU.

[@AmplifyDIY]

You're welcome!

[@Jakc_Tk]

Quick and easy, thank you so much.

[@djmassbass3396]

how did you get the trunk to do that in the beginning

[@AmplifyDIY]

The magic of video editing... The trunk does not actually do that. :)

[@kesfisaid630]

very professional

[@brunorizza4207]

Thanks for the video Very clear.

[@darcylaw2116]

Thanks so much, very helpful

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it helped, Darcy!

[@rayray1112]

Always works thanks 😊

[@eddiegardett9557]

Thanks a lot for the helpful guide.

[@garym5631]

Thank You once I had the bulb $9 a pair it took 10 minutes tops... last time I went to the dealer $57...

[@etzioauditore3043]

Thank you!

[@drdoctor101]

So I just dropped one of those wing nut screws into the dark abyss of that taillight space... my hand doesn't fit into the bottom there.. any suggestions?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Most auto parts stores sell a telescoping magnet (sometimes you can find them with a built-in flashlight) that you can use to fish it back out. Good luck!

[@Iris_Transforms_Healing]

Thanks so much!!!

[@EaglePeakTV]

Thank you

[@queeniaasheemaat8178]

Can you share a how to fix the lights on the hatch door?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi QueeNia - The process is very similar, but you have to remove an access panel on the inside of the door instead of inside the trunk. I believe there are full instructions with pictures in the owner's manual. Good luck!

[@denizt1200]

Thank you just saved me 10 pounds

[@jeanyann7562]

Hi have you got a same video for the ford kuga please? thanks

[@AmplifyDIY]

I’m afraid not. The owners manual usually has some instructions, though. Good luck!

[@BrunoOliveira-pu3th]

Very good

[@T1000bjj]

Super 💪

[@ExplodeReality]

I went to buy the new bulbs from the auto parts store and my daughter said, "Dad, do you even know how to fix that?" I said, "No..... But the internet does...." And here I am.

[@harrysingh584]

My car’s brake light bulbs come on when I lock/unlock the car, don’t come on when I press the brakes n only the light on the lift gate come on. Any suggestions???? Thanks

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hmm... Chasing electrical gremlins can be really difficult. For your situation, I'd suggest you take it to a local shop to have someone take a look. Good luck!

[@harrysingh584]

@@AmplifyDIY thanks

[@rsmolkin]

Hi,. I have the 2017 C-Max Energi Titanium (Plug-in Hybrid), which has the "Ford Signature LED Lighting" on the bottom of the headlight. I'm planning to go camping and sleep in the car for a night, but can't find any way to turn off the LEDs (they seem to work like Daytime Running Lights, even though they are not, and don't respond to being parked or having the hand break on). do you have any idea how I could possibly add a switch to turn off the LEDs? Or if not possible, turn off all the power to the headlight assembly when camping but the car being on for A/C on high voltage battery?

[@AmplifyDIY]

My only suggestion would be to look into an aftermarket tool called ForScan - it's free software you can use (with a physical dongle you'll have to purchase for around $30) to alter all sorts of things about how your car's computer(s) are set up, including altering the behavior of your daytime running lights (DRL). I would most definitely not mess with altering any of the car wiring / adding a switch, etc. Good luck!

[@rsmolkin]

@@AmplifyDIY thanks I already got forscan and tried it. Unfortunately there isn't anything that controls the led signature lighting.

[@AmplifyDIY]

@@rsmolkin The only other suggestion I'd have then is to figure out where/how those lights are plugged in, and unplug them. You may wind up unplugging your whole headlight module though, which might make your ECU quite mad at you (warning lights on dash board, etc). Best of luck - I hope you have a great camping trip!

[@rsmolkin]

@@AmplifyDIY Do you think it's better/easier to unplug the light assembly, the the fuse for the headlights? I was thinking I'd just take out the fuse, but's it's kinda hard to get to. Which is why I thought if there is a way to wire up a switch connected to a fuse instead, then in the future I could just flip a switch when camping.

[@AmplifyDIY]

@@rsmolkin I'm not sure which would be easier: pulling fuse or unplugging lights - I don't own that car any longer, so I can't really render much of an opinion...but depending on the fuse location, I may just pull the fuse(s) rather than unplug the lights themselves.

[@adamrodriguez8431]

I press the trunk button on mine and see all the lights, but people are telling me that my brake lights are out when I am driving. What could that be? A fuse that relays the signal?

[@AmplifyDIY]

I believe these bulbs have 2 filaments in them - one for marker lights, one for brake lights. When you hit the button on the remote, I'm not certain but it likely only blinks the markers, not the brakes.

[@mesample1705]

An improvement would be to cover the lift gate bulbs.

[@ng4847]

I like how the rear tail lights don’t need any tools necessary, but the pry open the blinking front lights requires a 10 mm socket wrench and a torque screw if not flat both I don’t have😂

[@AmplifyDIY]

I find it likely that the engineer who designs these things don't often deal with replacing bulbs themselves. 😂

[@ng4847]

@@AmplifyDIY haha 😂 Terrific ! That’s a good one 🤙🏼

[@ahmedmoustafa6829]

I dropped the nail by mistake inside. Do you know how i can get it out. I tried to reach it with my hands but failed

[@AmplifyDIY]

Oof. It may be impossible to retrieve without a lot of disassembly of the car body panels. Do you have a small mirror you can use to try to see down to where it may have fallen? If you can manage to see where it has fallen, perhaps you could use a bent coat hanger etc to try to reach down to where it is and retrieve it. Good luck!

[@ahmedmoustafa6829]

@@AmplifyDIY i used my phone's camera. It doesnt appear. Seems it went very down. Where can i buy a new bolt?

[@lpt5839]

You can try a high power vacuum with nylons over the hose to retrieve it.

[@ahmedmoustafa6829]

@@lpt5839 it seems you are kidding man !!!

[@ScottSievers]

I too dropped the plastic fastener. I can actually see it at the bottom. However, it is just too far down to reach by hand. I don't have a vacuum attachment small enough to get to that location. I'll see if I can order a new one from the dealership.

[@nbookie]

How about the unit in the lift gate?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Open up the lift gate, and you'll find there is a small trim panel cover on the inside of the lift gate that is directly behind the lamp assemblies. If you remove that small trim panel, you'll find that the rest of the replacement procedure is pretty easy to figure out, and similar to the one I showed in this video. Good luck!

[@SloppySecondz]

Sir you probably saved me like $200 trying to figure this out lol

[@AmplifyDIY]

Great!

[@colsta89]

It DOES matter, the quater panel clusters bulbs are twin filament, where it acts as a tail AND brake light, where the lift gate uses a near identical bulb, except its only a single filament, as it only acts as a non brake lamp tailight - only the single function) The reason for this is, the brake lights MUST still be visible if you are parked up in low light, with the tailgate open, same rules for the EU models, hence no need for the lift gate have a brake light illumination. Glad the parts store asked as this can easily be overlooked and buy the wrong bulbs for the wrong section, as they do look identical, without actually looking at the bulbs side by side seeing the additional filament in tvhe one, you honestly wouldn't know

[@nickolasbaab4171]

Owners manual says 2 different bulbs, w21 and 5w.. both have been replaced by this 7443 bulb...

[@nickolasbaab4171]

Correction: owners manual says same bulb for both.. 21w/5w - which cannot be found anywhere.. nor can any bulb I'm trying to replace lol

[@Tooncie]

What alldata won’t show me KZbin will

[@marcosramos4596]

Imagine how much the dealer would charge for this!!

[@AmplifyDIY]

I'm astonished at how much dealers charge these days for simple things.

[@marcosramos4596]

@@AmplifyDIY do you know if there's a way to add Android Auto to the Factory Stereo? Without loosing any of the functions?

[@AmplifyDIY]

@@marcosramos4596 I'm pretty sure that the one we had did not have wired CarPlay or Android Auto, so the only way to add it is to replace the entire factory infotainment system. Not sure if there are any replacements that will also retain all the rest of the factory features (info about the drivetrain, etc). Good luck!

[@austinlodell4515]

For any1 wondering, yes the lift gate takes a different f*ckng bulb, super annoying and pointless

[@ericlees7518]

the posts are easy enough to unscrew the problem is when you think you have started the thread and they drop down you have not screwed them on enough to start threading them lol mmmmm so if you stuff old rags down first they will only fall on top of them that way you can just pick them up again and have another go lol you have been WARNED mmmmmm that way you will have a second chance and more mmmmm

[@ericlees7518]

stuff rags down first you have been warned mmmmmmmm lol lol lol oh for lol mmmmmm

[@ericlees7518]

before you do this put old rags in the void first oh for lol simple as mmmmmm then they can only fall on top simple as mmmmm

[@kellykirkpatrick8978]

Luckily I found your video just went to Firestone they wanted to charge me $90 to do this I walked away thinking that doesn't sound right went to the local Kwik Kar Lube and they are willing to do it charging me know labor and $10 a bulb I'm willing then after watching this video I realized I could do this myself but for $10 a bulb including labor I'll just let someone else do it for me Firestone shame on you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

You found a great deal at $10/bulb. Nice!

[@juicybrucie365]

Nice video, but leaves me clueless on how to change the inner ones on the lift gate.

[@AmplifyDIY]

The lights in the tailgate are really similar. There is an access panel in the tailgate itself. Good luck!

[@eviljods]

Very helpful, thanks for posting.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad it was helpful, eviljods!