How to Change a 2003 Mustang Cobra Taillight

The Cobra name was introduced by automotive creator Carroll Shelby in 1962, and Ford Motor Co. quickly bought the concept from Shelby. The Ford Mustang SVT Cobra was launched in 1993, in collaboration with Ford Motor Co. and Shelby Special Vehicles Team. The 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra was equipped with a 4.6-liter DOHC supercharged V-8 engine, that produced 390-horsepower and 390 foot-pounds of torque. The taillamp or taillight bulbs on the 2003 SVT Cobra are accessed through the trunk of the Mustang, with each lamp individually housed inside a taillamp assembly.

Instructions

1

Raise the rear deck lid on the Mustang. Remove the fasteners from the trunk liner and pull the trunk liner inward, away from the rear taillamp assembly. Remove the four taillamp mounting nuts from the inside of the trunk, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the rear taillamp assembly outward enough to access the wiring on the taillamp bulbs.

2

Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise for the bulb that you are going to replace. If you are replacing all of the taillight bulbs, remove and replace each bulb individually. Remove the old bulb from the socket by hand.

3

Wrap the new taillight bulb in a paper towel or clean rag. Install the bulb into the socket, being careful not to touch the bulb lens with your bare hands. Push the bulb into the socket, then install the socket back into the taillight assembly. Turn the socket clockwise to lock it into the assembly.

4

Repeat steps 1 through 3 to replace the bulbs on the other side of the Mustang. Install the taillight assembly back into the car. Install the four mounting nuts onto the taillight studs, and thread them by hand to ensure proper threading. Tighten the nuts to 53 inch-pounds with an inch-pound torque wrench and socket.