The Ford 500 has three lights in its taillight assembly: the backup light, the taillight and the brake and turn signal light. If any of the lights begin to fail, repair it immediately, as driving with a faulty lamp is a safety hazard. If only one light is malfunctioning, the problem is with that light's bulb. If all three lights are malfunctioning, the issue is with the taillight fuse.
Turn the headlamp switch to the "Off" position.
Open the trunk and remove carpet to expose the tail lamp assemblies. Remove the nut and washer assemblies from the tail lamp assembly with a socket wrench.
Remove the assembly from the trunk. Locate the bulb you wish to replace. The topmost bulb is the backup lamp, the largest bulb is the tail lamp and the bulb next to the tail lamp is the brake lamp or turn signal.
Rotate the bulb counterclockwise and pull it out to remove. Install a replacement bulb by pushing it into the assembly and rotating it clockwise. The backup lamp uses a 3156-type bulb and the other two lamps use 4057K-type bulbs. Install the new bulb using a shop rag to hold the glass as you install it.
Reattach the assembly to the vehicle and reinstall the nut and washer assemblies. Place the carpet back into the trunk and close the trunk lid.
Open the hood and remove the cover from the fuse block.
Remove the fuse labeled F8.
Install a replacement 15A fuse and reattach the cover to the fuse block. Close the hood.
