The interior light mounted in the door panel is not working on the driver's side. I tood the light cover off and the whole fixture is gone. Guess it's rattling around inside the door or something.

I am a bit of a perfectionist and would like to fix this. How difficult is it go take the door panel off? More importantly how difficult is it to get the panel back on?

 

it is not hard once you have removed all the screws that are holding the door and then take the trim off the top side off the door the way to take it off is by finding a corner of the trim and pull lightly on it and it will poop off and then lift up on the door panel

 

I'll explain this in further detail, there are only 2-4 screws in the entire door holding all that trim on. You need to take that piece that surrounds the door handle, that just pops off, it will feel like it's going to break but it won't. Under that is one screw, and the others floating around the door. I believe there are 3 total screws. Pull the trim bar that is towards the rear of the front window on the door, that just pops off too. Be careful, you absolutely MUST pull UP, not back on the largest piece (the entire door trim piece) when all the screws are out, it just pulls up and pops out, very easy, I broke part of mine like an idiot but it's fixed and only broke one tab. That lighting fixture should be accessible now. Good luck!

Also, there are a couple photo tutorials around this board, use the search button. I found one for you, apparently they are affiliated with this site so I presume it's safe to trade links back and fourth, after all I was directed here because of them and will never go back (no offense to fordf150.net, nice site but I enjoy this one a bit more)

 

Thanks for the help, sounds like if I take it slow and easy I should be able to do it.

 

Wow that was to easy! The light fixture had come loose, all I had to do was twist it back in.

 

mine doesnt have the lights in them either... but the hole is there... do all of the wiring harnesses have the ability to have the door lights behind the red lense? Mine is an 03 XLT btw....

Daniel

 

The problem isn't taking it off it's breaking the grommets and snaps to get it off. Then having to go buy new ones and getting rattling noises on hard bumps. NOT a problem I am having now, only in other vehicles I have had with installations. Some motto's are "If you can't see the damage, missing screws and poor wiring; You've done a good job" That is probably the mentality in some electronic/stereo shops.