How to Remove the Headlight and Motor

One common issue with any 1991-94 Mercury Capri model is replacing and removing the small motor that lowers and raises the pop-up headlights. Over time, they cease working and that leaves the owner to replace it or manually raise or lower it. Luckily, the process is not hard. To remove the headlight, do the following:


1. Raise the headlight and then open the hood.
2. Remove the windshield washer reservoir or cooler reservoir, depending on which light.
3. Remove the bezel and headlamp by removing the four screws retaining the outer bezel enclosing the entire headlight assembly. Do not touch the headlight adjusting screws.
4. Remove headlight and unplug. Route the wiring away from the work area.
5. Remove the screws and cover from headlight assembly.
6. Remove the bolts retaining the headlight assembly to body. Do not adjust linkage.

To remove the headlight motor, do the following:

1.Complete the above steps.
2. Remove nut retaining linkage to motor.
3. Remove three retaining bolts and motor.

How to Remove the headlight and Motor

Finding Parts for Your 1991-94 Mercury Capri

Even though only 66,000 were made from 1991-94, and perhaps, not more than 40,000 of them remain on the road worldwide, finding parts for your 1991-94 Mercury Capri can be an issue. That is the bad news.

The good news is that, depending on what you need, it may not be so hard. When you are looking or going to the auto parts store, always indicate it is for a Mercury Capri BUT also tell them many of the parts for a 1987-89 Mazda 323 Protege are interchangeable, That is because the engine, chassis are a Mazda, the same one used on the Mazda Miata in 1990-1, the Capri simply has a different suspension and body, they use the same 1.6L engine,

Of course, many after market auto parts are easily found and work on the Capri. Below is a list of some of the common ones:

OIL FILTER - Fram PH 6607, Beck and Arnly # 041-8055, Motorcraft FL 816
AIR FILTER - K and N # 33-2027, Hastings AF 885, Motorcraft FA-1050
TIMING BELTS - Gates T179, Evergreen for a 90-94 Mazda Protege 1.8L, 91-96 Merc Tracer or Ford Escort # TBK179EVE, Goodyear # 4040385
HEAD GASKET- Ask for one that fits a 92-93 Miata engine B6, B6E
CLUTCH KIT - New Generation for a Kia Rio, Sephia, Protege Part kit # 10-040 Fits 1.5L, 1.6L and 1.8L engines, Alto Mgr- Kit # 91137 for a 94-97 Lia Sephia or a 90-94 Mazda Miata
HEADLIGHT - Wagner H6545
CV Assy - EMPI # 80-2406
WATER PUMP - GMP #145-1350
CAT CONVERTER - Davico # 16505
OXYGEN SENSOR - Denso 234-1019
FRONT STRUTS - KYB #234009
BRAKE CALIPERS - Centric # 14245514
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER- Centric # 130-61020
BRAKE PAD - Bendix #D366 for rear, Satisfied brakes-# PR319-C
SPARK PLUGS - Motorcraft for XR2 AGS32C, Non-XR2: AGSP 32C
FUEL FILTER - Motorcraft - XR2 - FG 870, Non: FG874
PCV Valve - Motorcraft EV 146
TRANSMISSION FLUID - Motorccraft Mercon (AT- 6 qts, Manual- 3.4 qts)
POWER STEERING FLUID - Motorcraft Type F (.63 qt)
ENGINE OIL - 5W30 (3.7 qts)
AIR CONDITIONING - R-12 Refrigerant (25 oz)
TURN SIGNAL BULBS - Use 1156
TAIL LIGHT - Use 1157
FRONT PARKING LAMP - Use 37R-0016

murcyBig items like internal engine parts, most interior parts will remain a challenge to find with only 40,000 left worldwide! Many Capris are sadly parted out simply because the owner cannot find the part or they have the part but do not have know how to fix it. Calling a Ford dealer for help usually results in a "Sorry", However, you may have more luck taking it to a Mazda mechanic! So, before you junk the car, try that!