Buy Ford Transit Connect Headlight Assembly

Overview

The Ford Transit Connect headlight-also called a headlamp, front light assembly, or main beam unit-lets drivers see the road and be seen by others. On most 2010-2025 vans it uses halogen H11 bulbs for low beam and H9 for high beam, housed in a plastic reflector lens that bolts to the fender and grille surround. Factory vertical aiming is adjustable with a simple screw; horizontal aim is fixed. Keeping the headlight clean, aimed, and fitted with the right bulb keeps night-time stopping distance and pedestrian visibility safe. (Ford Service Content)

Model Years

• 2010-2013 (Gen 1): Taller headlight with two Torx-25 screws and a locating pin.
• 2014-2018 (Gen 2): Slimmer lamp; service access is through a rear rubber cap. Bulb chart shows H11 low, H9 high, and H11 fog lights.
• 2019-2025 (Gen 2.5): Styling refresh, optional auto high-beam and cornering lamp logic in the BCM. (Ford Service Content)

Bulb Types

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Common Problems

• Dim output: Haze on the clear cover or weak voltage from a corroded ground. Cleaning and polishing adds up to 20 % brightness.
• Water inside lens: A torn rear cap or cracked seam. Dry the unit with silica gel and reseal with butyl tape.
• Blown fuse F36 (10 A): Causes one low beam to go dark. The fuse panel is behind the passenger kick panel on 2014-2018 vans. (YouTube)
• Flicker after LED swap: Many vans need a CAN-bus decoder to steady current. (Philips)

Replacement Steps

1. Open hood, disconnect battery to avoid shorts.
2. Remove two top screws and the side locating pin; pull the lamp forward. (Gen 1 uses a hidden lower bolt.)
3. Twist off the rear cap and unplug the bulb.
4. Fit a new H11 or H9-do not touch the glass.
5. Re-install lamp and check operation. Detailed pictures are in the owner's manual pages 188-194. (Ford Service Content)

Adjusting Aim

Park 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall on level ground. Mark a horizontal line level with the bulb center. Turn the vertical screw until the cutoff rests on the line. Horizontal aim is fixed at the factory. (, Ford Motor Company)

Legal Rules

U.S. lights must follow FMVSS 108, which sets beam height, labeling, and brightness limits; fog lights cannot replace low beams. Owners can search the NHTSA database to see if any service bulletins or recalls apply to their VIN. (NHTSA)

Upgrade Options

• LED retrofit kits like Philips Ultinon show up to 350 % more measured lux and claim 5 000-hour life. (Philips)
• Energy savings: LEDs use about 75-90 % less power than older incandescent or halogen lamps, easing alternator load and saving fuel. (Energy.gov, Energy.gov)
• Smart features: 2019+ vans offer automatic high-beam control through a windshield camera. (Ford Service Content)
• Always choose kits that keep the factory beam pattern to avoid glare and legal trouble.

Care Tips

• Wash headlight covers with mild soap; avoid ammonia cleaners that cloud polycarbonate.
• Wax or clear-film the lens to slow UV yellowing.
• Replace bulbs in pairs; halogens dim over time.
• Inspect wiring: forum users share free PDF schematics that locate BCM pins and ground G101 behind the left headlight. (Ford Transit Connect Forum)

Safety & Efficiency

Bright, well-aimed headlights cut crash rates at night. Research shows head-on glare and poor illumination raise risk; regular checks improve reaction distance by several car lengths. (NHTSA) Upgrading to high-efficacy bulbs also lowers electrical load, which in turn reduces CO₂ emissions over the vehicle's life. (Energy.gov)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size does my 2014 Transit Connect use?
A: Low beam is H11; high beam is H9; fog is H11. (Ford Service Content)

Q: How do I know if the lamp is aimed correctly?
A: The low-beam cutoff should sit right on a line 25 ft ahead at the same height as the bulb. Adjust the vertical screw until it does.

Q: Can I fit LED bulbs without extra tools?
A: Yes, most H11 LED kits are plug-and-play, but some vans need an anti-flicker decoder to keep the beam steady. (Philips)

Q: Are there recalls for Transit Connect headlights?
A: As of May 2025 no headlight-specific recall is listed, but check your VIN on the NHTSA site to be sure. (NHTSA)

Q: My headlight keeps fogging-what should I do?
A: Remove the bulb, air-dry the lamp with a hair dryer on low, add silica packets, then reseal the rear cap and any cracks with automotive-grade sealant.

Q: Which fuse controls the headlights?
A: On 2014-2018 vans the low-beam feed is Fuse F36 (10 A) inside the passenger-side fuse box. (YouTube)

Q: Is horizontal aim adjustable?
A: No. Ford fixes side-to-side aim at the factory; only the up-down screw moves. (Ford Service Content)

Q: Does changing to LED violate FMVSS 108?
A: It is legal if the kit keeps the beam pattern and brightness within FMVSS 108 limits; poorly designed kits that glare can lead to inspection failure.

Q: How long do halogen vs LED bulbs last?
A: Typical H11 halogen lasts about 500-1 000 hours, while a quality LED can reach 5 000 hours. (Philips)

Q: Where can I find wiring colors?
A: Enthusiast forums host PDF schematics showing wire colors and ground points for each lighting circuit. (Ford Transit Connect Forum)

This guide covers key facts, maintenance, legal notes, and upgrade ideas so Transit Connect owners can keep their headlights-also known as front lamps or head lighting units-shining safely and efficiently.