Ford E-100 License Plate Bulb Size

The Ford E-100 license plate bulb utilizes 2 distinct sizes: 194 and 97, with each bulb size corresponding to specific vehicle configurations. The replacement chart covers 1969 through 1983 production years and documents the applicable bulb sizes for each model year.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
1975-1983	194
1969-1974	97

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford E-100 license plate position uses one of two bulb types depending on the model year: the 194 for 1975-1983 and the 97 for 1969-1974.
The 194 is a T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W, conforming to ANSI standards for the US and Canadian markets.
The wedge base of the 194 requires no separate socket retainer, as the bulb body itself acts as the retention mechanism when inserted into its housing.
The 97 is a single-filament bulb with a BA15s bayonet base, rated at 12V and 13W, also conforming to ANSI standards for the US and Canadian markets.
At 13W, the 97 draws considerably more power than the 3.78W 194, reflecting a difference in both base type and electrical load between the two fitment generations.
The 97 is noted as a variant of the 1156, meaning it shares the BA15s bayonet base family but is not a direct substitute for the 1156 in all applications.
The BA15s designation on the 97 indicates a single-contact bayonet base with a 15mm cap, a format distinct from the wedge interface used by the 194.
Because the 194 and 97 use physically incompatible base types, the two bulbs are not interchangeable across the 1974-1975 model year boundary on the Ford E-100.