Mercury Sable License Plate Bulb Size

The Mercury Sable license plate light requires unique bulb sizes 168, 194, and DE3423 depending on the specific version. Data for the bulbs covers the range from 1986 to 2009.

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
2008-2009	DE3423
1996-1999	168
1986	194

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Mercury Sable uses three distinct license plate bulb types across its production span: the DE3423 festoon bulb, and the 168 and 194 miniature wedge bulbs.
The DE3423 is a festoon-style bulb with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts, operating at 12V. Its physical format requires a cylindrical housing with contacts at both ends, which is structurally different from a wedge-base socket.
The 168 and 194 are both T10 miniature wedge bulbs operating at 12V, meaning they share the same base type and socket format. However, they differ in wattage: the 168 draws 4.9W while the 194 draws 3.78W.
Because the 168 and 194 share the T10 wedge base, they are physically interchangeable in terms of socket fit, though the difference in wattage means electrical output will vary depending on which bulb is installed.
The Mercury Sable (2008-2009) takes the DE3423 festoon bulb for the license plate position, while the 1996-1999 model years use the 168 wedge bulb instead.
The 1986 Mercury Sable uses the 194 bulb, which is a separate specification from the 168 used in the 1996-1999 years, and the two should not be treated as equivalent replacements without accounting for the wattage difference.
All three bulb types, the DE3423, 168, and 194, conform to ANSI standards recognized in both the United States and Canada, indicating consistent regulatory compliance across the specification set.
The DE3423 festoon bulb is incompatible with the wedge-base sockets used for the 168 and 194 bulbs, as the end-cap contact design requires a dedicated festoon-style housing.