Melting cargo lights

[bbdd]

Hi, first post, long-time listener, first time caller. I have an issue I haven't seen yet, wondering if people had any ideas about.

Occasionally, I use the rear cargo lights at night for longer times when working near the back of my Mav. By longer times, I'm talking 30-60 minutes maybe once a week. I wanted some brighter lights and was considering swapping in some LED bulbs. While looking at how to install new bulbs, I noticed that my 3rd brake-light housing has melted from the incandescent bulbs. Has anyone else seen this?

I'm not concerned about getting the plastic housing replaced under warranty, but I wonder if LED bulbs (like LASFIT cargo bulbs) will be warmer or cooler than the OEM bulbs? Thanks for any input.

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[Redneck Garage]

Hi, first post, long-time listener, first time caller. I have an issue I haven't seen yet, wondering if people had any ideas about.

Occasionally, I use the rear cargo lights at night for longer times when working near the back of my Mav. By longer times, I'm talking 30-60 minutes maybe once a week. I wanted some brighter lights and was considering swapping in some LED bulbs. While looking at how to install new bulbs, I noticed that my 3rd brake-light housing has melted from the incandescent bulbs. Has anyone else seen this?

I'm not concerned about getting the plastic housing replaced under warranty, but I wonder if LED bulbs (like LASFIT cargo bulbs) will be warmer or cooler than the OEM bulbs? Thanks for any input.

The Lasfit lights run MUCH cooler than the factory bulbs.

 

[TheWizziard]

Hi, first post, long-time listener, first time caller. I have an issue I haven't seen yet, wondering if people had any ideas about.

Occasionally, I use the rear cargo lights at night for longer times when working near the back of my Mav. By longer times, I'm talking 30-60 minutes maybe once a week. I wanted some brighter lights and was considering swapping in some LED bulbs. While looking at how to install new bulbs, I noticed that my 3rd brake-light housing has melted from the incandescent bulbs. Has anyone else seen this?

I'm not concerned about getting the plastic housing replaced under warranty, but I wonder if LED bulbs (like LASFIT cargo bulbs) will be warmer or cooler than the OEM bulbs? Thanks for any input.

That just ain't right. Did the factory put in the right bulb?
Should be a 912

 

[cannon]

The Lasfit lights run MUCH cooler than the factory bulbs.

And much brighter. I hit unlock on my fob when I go out the front door when it's dark and it lights up my 50' path pretty well. I'd still get it replaced under warranty then install the Lasfits fwiw.

 

[bbdd]

That just ain't right. Did the factory put in the right bulb?
Should be a 912

Is there any way to tell? The bulb is in the photo above and doesn't have any markings that I noticed.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi, first post, long-time listener, first time caller. I have an issue I haven't seen yet, wondering if people had any ideas about.

Occasionally, I use the rear cargo lights at night for longer times when working near the back of my Mav. By longer times, I'm talking 30-60 minutes maybe once a week. I wanted some brighter lights and was considering swapping in some LED bulbs. While looking at how to install new bulbs, I noticed that my 3rd brake-light housing has melted from the incandescent bulbs. Has anyone else seen this?

I'm not concerned about getting the plastic housing replaced under warranty, but I wonder if LED bulbs (like LASFIT cargo bulbs) will be warmer or cooler than the OEM bulbs? Thanks for any input.

Hi there. This cargo light concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Maverick. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end.

 

[skyhawk]

Tonight I was installing Lasfit cargo lights and so I did a quick test on the bench with a Fluke meter and a Klein Infrared temp probe.

Stock bulb draws 1 Amp at 12V. Temps get over 400 degrees F at some (peak) points on the glass after 90 seconds. Nominal spot checks was 330F +

Lasfit draws 0.40A at 12V. Temps are around 220F max after 90 seconds. Nominal spots around 180F-200F

I personally am not of the opinion that changing your marker, brake, or turn signal lights for brighter LED are a good idea. I don't think blinding or diminishing the night vision of nearby drivers is a wise thing to do.

However for cargo lights and possibly reverse lights, I am on board. In the case of these cargo lights which could in some use cases be lit for extended periods, the reduced temps are a significant bonus especially considering the OP's experience.

 

[Tiger Dude]

LED brake lights light up faster than filament, at highway speeds it's worth about a car length, could be the difference in a wreck or not. The third brake light is far enough away it won't blind anyone.

 

[skyhawk]

Yes, LED brake lights are smart
Bright blinding LED brake lights - not so much. Blinding the person behind you is not going to be an enhancer for their reaction time.

A LED in the 3rd brake is maybe not so bad, but there seems to be a population of folks who think that sticking bright LEDs in every socket on the car is a swell idea.

 

[bbdd]

Tonight I was installing Lasfit cargo lights and so I did a quick test on the bench with a Fluke meter and a Klein Infrared temp probe.

Stock bulb draws 1 Amp at 12V. Temps get over 400 degrees F at some (peak) points on the glass after 90 seconds. Nominal spot checks was 330F +

Lasfit draws 0.40A at 12V. Temps are around 220F max after 90 seconds. Nominal spots around 180F-200F

I personally am not of the opinion that changing your marker, brake, or turn signal lights for brighter LED are a good idea. I don't think blinding or diminishing the night vision of nearby drivers is a wise thing to do.

However for cargo lights and possibly reverse lights, I am on board. In the case of these cargo lights which could in some use cases be lit for extended periods, the reduced temps are a significant bonus especially considering the OP's experience.

Thank you for taking the time to measure, this is useful. I'll swap them to LED once Ford replaces the housing.

 

[rivermaverick]

Is it possible to turn off the center high cargo lights?

 

[MavDan]

Noticed mine was melted as well. Even worse the little black plastic square grommets that the screws thread in and out of, 2 of them were stripped from the factory. Dealer said "Bummer. Never seen that before. The Black grommets will be $42..." Of course I was pretty irritated with that statement. Dealership said "Check ebay..." For future reference the square hole for these plastic grommets is 6mm.

 

[Toddman45]

That's crazy that the OEM halogens melted the plastic housing. Replacing the stock halogens in the rear mounted third brake light was one of the first things I did for the bed lights and the brake light as well all three have been LED since new.

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