Ford Explorer Parking Brake Indicator Bulb Size

The Ford Explorer parking brake indicator utilizes bulb sizes PC74, PC194, and 37 depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Data for the components covers the range from 1991 to 2005.

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
2002-2005	PC74
2001	PC194
1991-2000	37

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5) with printed circuit board twist-lock socket, for instrument clusters. 12V, 1.4W.	PC74
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with printed circuit board twist-lock socket, for instrument clusters. 12V, 3.78W.	PC194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 1W.	37

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford Explorer parking brake indicator uses three distinct bulb types across the 1991-2005 model years: the 37, PC74, and PC194.
The bulb 37 is an ANSI-standard miniature wedge bulb in a T5 envelope, rated at 12V and 1W, and it serves as the parking brake indicator bulb in the Ford Explorer for the 1991-2000 model years.
The PC74 is an ANSI-standard T5 miniature wedge bulb fitted with a printed circuit board twist-lock socket, rated at 12V and 1.4W, and it is specified for the 2002-2005 model years.
The PC194 is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb with a printed circuit board twist-lock socket, rated at 12V and 3.78W, and it is specified exclusively for the 2001 model year.
The T5 envelope designation refers to a tubular bulb with a width of 5/8 of an inch, while the T10 envelope is proportionally wider at 10/8 of an inch, making the PC194 physically larger than both the 37 and PC74.
Although the 37 and PC74 share the same T5 envelope, they are not interchangeable. The PC74 uses a printed circuit board twist-lock socket, while the 37 uses a standard wedge base, meaning the socket type differs between the two.
The PC194 and PC74 both use printed circuit board twist-lock sockets, but their differing envelope sizes (T10 versus T5) and wattage ratings (3.78W versus 1.4W) make them incompatible with each other's sockets.
The "PC" designation in PC74 and PC194 indicates a printed circuit board mount, a socket design specific to instrument cluster applications where bulbs twist and lock directly into a circuit board rather than a conventional bulb holder.
The 2001 Ford Explorer represents a transitional year in this specification set, as it is the only model year assigned the PC194, sitting between a decade of the 37 bulb and the subsequent adoption of the PC74.
All three bulb types in these specifications conform to ANSI standards recognized in both the United States and Canada.