[ajrn]

Does anyone know if the license plate lamps are "wagon specific?"

A pleasant Ohio Highway Patrolman brought to my attention my license plate bulbs weren't working. (nope-- didn't ticket me)

I've drilled one out, as the screws were fused in place, but I destroyed the "lens" and "socket" doing it..

Just wanted to know-- when I go to look for a replacement, if I "have" to look at wagons..

Yeah-- I've considered just picking up something universal at Autozone or Walmart, but I need a new drivers headlight housing, as well.. (the socket was melted, when my g/f's son decided to "help" me by replacing the dead bulb with a high wattage replacement, and melted the socket.

That's the kind of help, he USUALLY is..

AJ RN

 

[denisond3]

The license lights on our 91 Escort LX sedan have screws about 2" apart, but on our 92 LX wagon they are about 2-3/8" apart. The socket on the sedan lamp is smaller, so would certainly fit in the hole on the tail-gate of the wagon. Its possible Ford changed the license light size, since our 91 is early enough to have other minor parts different from the late 91's through 1996 cars, the '2nd generation' Escorts.
If you dont have any junkyards you can get to, another resource is the 'collision repair' industry. The prices wont be discount though. And of course ebay..... I have had good luck with sending emails to ebay sellers who list used Escort parts for auction, to ask if they had a part I needed that no one was listing for sale at the time. They are often junkyards, or folks who haunt the pick-n-pull yards, and will grab any part they think they can sell over the internet. My favorite place was a junkyard in Newfoundland, Canada. Not very many people ever drove past his entrance!
If you get a used and yellowed headlamp housing, its possible to polish them with fairly good results. (In VA you can get a ticket for foggy yellow headlamps). You just need a piece of 600 grit and 1200 grit wet-or-dry paper and a bottle of Chrome Polish or auto finish polish, and about 30 minutes.

 

[jpj]

Been there , done that. Same issue with my 94 SW. Mid to late 90's Ford Windstar van lenses are the same. Had to remove the hatch handle assembly, then remove the lenses. As you said mostly melted, just use #194 bulbs. I found some stainless steel screws to replace the rotted items. Hope this helps!!! :lol:

 

[G-Mac]

Escort Wagon license plate lamp/socket

I have a '97 with identical issues. It's either a part that is very difficult to find or I am just not searching correctly. (probably the ladder ) Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[kuwacs]

Maybe look into replacing the entire thing with an LED strip? Should wire right into the old wires there. Can usually find a cutable strip on eBay for a buck or so a piece shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/White-30CM-15-S ... 20c0238c71

I used these for interior under-dash and under seat lights on my 95 wagon.

 

[G-Mac]

Thank you for the idea! going forward, I think I'll do that. I found a salvage yard that is "find and retrieve" and they had a '97 wagon; I got the wire harness and plugged it in and viola! it worked didn't even have to put bulbs in as the ones that were in it worked. Thank you so much for the great idea. I'll use that in the future.