door handle lights - CEG Archives

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My tour has illuminated door handles. When the lights are turned on the door handles ligh up. All four door handles light up when the lights are on. But my drivers door handle does not light. Is there a bulb that is replacable? Does anyone have this or know what I'm talking about? I don't know if all years had this but the 96's appear to.

Originally posted by zetec herman:
My tour has illuminated door handles. When the lights are turned on the door handles ligh up. All four door handles light up when the lights are on. But my drivers door handle does not light. Is there a bulb that is replacable? Does anyone have this or know what I'm talking about? I don't know if all years had this but the 96's appear to.

Yes, there is and yes, I have, and yes, I know what you are talking about.

Autozone has some info on how to remove the door panels. In addition, you may want to get a Haynes Manual or a Ford Factory CD Manual.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/db/0a/0900823d801bdb0a.jsp

And to answer your other question,
"What does the flashing envelope icon on the Menu bar denote?"
It means that you have unread Private Messages.

How much does the bulb cost? A few dollars?

Yes, it should be a few dollars Buy it at your local Ford dealer or send a PM to Bill Jenkins with a description of what it is. The website is www.teamfordparts.com but I don't think those bulbs and assemblies are listed.

Bill started this thread below. Click on his screen name and send a PM to him.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=groupbuy&Number=1087759&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1

Bulb is cheap... but you need a green one, or a green condom to fit over it. Otherwise you'll have white light (or whatever color you put in).

You can also put some LEDs in there and make it way cooler. If you want to keep the stock green, throw some green LEDs in there and never worry about them going out again.

How to for the LEDs

BTW, it's a #74 wedge base IIRC. Looks just like a 194 bulb (you know, like the footwell lamps), but A LOT smaller.

Ok, here ya go......buy 4 tri colored led's, add the resistors, build a small PIC throw a potentiometer on it and there you go!
I am in the process of doing this now. This way you can have the tri colored led in each door handle as they slowly change from one color to several other colors, and you can still dim or brighten them! The leds would change in color similar to the pens that you can buy that when activated, they change colors through the shaft of the pen. They had them at the dollar store at one time.
I made a light refraction rod a while back (same principle)and installed it in my Cougar. It came on when I had my amp on so that I would remember to shut it off before I get out of the car. It worked very well!