electrical
Headlight Assembly
for 2018 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 Coyote · RWD
Difficulty
Easy
Time
1.3 h
Tools
6
Steps
12
This procedure covers removal and replacement of the headlight assembly on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L V8 Coyote engine, including electrical disconnection and proper alignment.
Warnings
⚠Allow headlights to cool for at least 15 minutes if vehicle was recently operated with lights on
ℹ️Disconnecting battery will reset radio presets and may require window recalibration
⚠Do not touch bulb glass with bare hands; use clean gloves to prevent premature bulb failure
Tools required
10mm socket and ratchetEssential
T25 Torx driverEssential
Trim panel removal tool
Torque wrench (5-50 Nm range)Essential
Work light or flashlight
Masking tape
Parts
- Headlight assembly (specify left or right) × 1 — FL3Z-13008-A (LH) or FL3Z-13008-B (RH)
- Headlight assembly bolts (if corroded) × 3 — Use OEM specification
Preparation
- Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
- Turn ignition off and remove key
- Allow headlights to cool if recently operated
- Gather all tools and new headlight assembly
- Mark headlight adjuster positions with tape if reusing adjusters for alignment reference
Procedure
- 1Disconnect battery negative terminalOpen hood and locate battery in engine compartment. Use 10mm socket to loosen negative battery terminal bolt. Remove negative cable and secure away from battery post to prevent accidental reconnection during repair.Torque specBattery Terminal Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
- 2Access headlight assembly mounting areaIdentify the headlight assembly to be replaced (driver or passenger side). Locate the three mounting bolts accessible from the engine bay side of the headlight housing. Two bolts are typically on top, one on the inboard side.
- 3Disconnect headlight electrical connectorReach behind the headlight assembly and locate the main electrical connector. Press the release tab and pull the connector straight back to disconnect. If equipped with additional connectors for DRL or marker lights, disconnect these as well. Note connector orientation for reinstallation.
- 4Remove headlight assembly mounting boltsUsing 10mm socket, remove the three headlight assembly mounting bolts. Support the headlight assembly with your free hand to prevent it from falling once the last bolt is removed. Keep bolts organized for reinstallation.Torque specHeadlight Assembly Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
- 5Remove headlight assembly from vehicleCarefully pull the headlight assembly forward and out of the vehicle. The assembly may have alignment pins that require gentle wiggling to release. Check for any additional clips or retainers that may still be engaged before forcing the assembly.
- 6Inspect mounting surfaces and alignment pinsExamine the mounting bracket on the vehicle for damage, corrosion, or broken tabs. Clean mounting surfaces with a dry cloth. Inspect alignment pins for damage. Check that the radiator support area is not bent or damaged which would affect headlight alignment.
- 7Prepare new headlight assemblyRemove new headlight assembly from packaging carefully. Verify part number matches the side being replaced. Check that all adjustment screws move freely. Do not remove protective film from lens until after installation is complete.
- 8Install new headlight assemblyGuide the new headlight assembly into position, aligning the mounting pins with their corresponding holes in the radiator support. Ensure the assembly seats fully against the mounting surface before installing bolts. The gap between assembly and surrounding body panels should be even.Torque specHeadlight Assembly Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
- 9Install and torque mounting boltsHand-start all three headlight assembly mounting bolts to ensure proper thread engagement. Tighten bolts in a cross pattern (alternating between top and bottom) to ensure even seating. Torque all mounting bolts to specification using torque wrench.Torque specHeadlight Assembly Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
- 10Reconnect electrical connectorAlign the electrical connector with the headlight assembly socket, ensuring the connector tabs are properly oriented. Push connector firmly until you hear or feel a positive click indicating it is fully seated and locked.
- 11Reconnect battery and verify operationReconnect negative battery cable to battery post. Tighten battery terminal bolt to specification. Turn ignition to ON position (engine off) and test headlight operation including low beam, high beam, and turn signal functions.Torque specBattery Terminal Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
- 12Remove protective film and close hoodCarefully peel off any protective film from the headlight lens. Inspect lens for scratches or damage. Close hood and verify there is no interference between hood and headlight assembly.
Reassembly
- Torque all fasteners to specified values using proper torque wrench
- Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated with audible click
- Verify even panel gaps around headlight assembly perimeter
- Remove protective lens film only after installation is complete
Verification
- Test all headlight functions: low beam, high beam, turn signals, and parking lights
- Verify headlight assembly is secure with no movement when pressed
- Check for even panel gaps on all sides of headlight assembly
- Inspect for proper seating of all connectors with no exposed terminals
- Schedule headlight aim adjustment at earliest convenience; proper aim may require special equipment and cannot be fully verified without headlight aiming tools