Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting RR taillight problem

The symptom is a fast blinker and very dim rr directional and brake light. The socket itself is melted. We picked up a replacement socket from local dealer but the harness didn't fit. They told us we had to make some modifications to it as Ford changed the socket. I don't buy what they are saying - the part number they gave me is F47Z-13411-A. On http://www.fordpartsnetwork.com/ and http://www.ford-outlet.com/ they have a rear socket but don't give a part number. I don't want to order the socket, though, if it is the same one my dealer is giving me. Any input would be appreciated.

98 Mystique 2.5L

Update to my post:

The bulb is also a different - one of the newer ford types. Don't know how to deal with the harness issue and the socket doesnt appear to mount at the back of the lamp assembly properly either.

Ford changed the socket sometime around 1998. When one of my taillights got broken and I had to replace it, they gave me one with a round socket. My original one on the other side has a square one. No big deal, we just cut the wires and spliced them into the original harness. The 2 sockets will not interchange between the 2 taillights, though.

Although Ford changed the socket and indeed the entire wiring harness in 1998, the original socket is available under a different part number from another vehicle as a front directional. It fits perfectly with the original harness and the Part Number is F5RZ-13K371-A.

After numerous attempts to locate this part with the clerk (apparently all of the ford parts book has this wrong) we found a manager to help us locate this part.

Might want to check out Ford Replacement parts 1998 they are for contour, shouldn't be to different from the mystique.