Flated Posted December 12, 2004 Posted December 12, 2004 After no luck checking tutorials, can anybody help with suggestions on replacing a headlight bulb on a GenIII? My son is picking up a Lex half a continent away with a bad bulb and then driving it home. Any tricks on disassembly to get at the bulb? Thanks!
RFeldes Posted December 12, 2004 Posted December 12, 2004 Repalcement drawings should be in the owner's manual, if there is one. That would give him the tools and bulb to take with him. I'm sure someone will help on this forum before long, I can't as mine is a 1990.
lovlex Posted December 12, 2004 Posted December 12, 2004 it seems that the manuel doesn't tell you for my 95, i had to figure it out by looking behind the light assembly
vevro Posted December 12, 2004 Posted December 12, 2004 Lexus doesn't want anyone changing HID bulbs in the 99-00 LS models. It seems the bulbs contain some chemical gas, which can be harmful. Lexus charges around $300 dollars in New York to replace the bulb ( ). The catch is you will not find this special bulb in any AutoZone or Pep Boys stores and the dealerships will not sell you the bulb if you're planning to change it on your own. It isn't very difficult to get the bulb out, however you should be very careful, wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Once you get it out, it will have a part number on it. Using the part number you should be able to find the bulb on the internet. The bulb costs around $50.
SW03ES Posted December 12, 2004 Posted December 12, 2004 You also need to replace both bulbs. HID lights deepen in color as they age and one new bulb will look *very* different than the other older bulb.
SW03ES Posted December 12, 2004 Posted December 12, 2004 Didn't "get us", its always been reccomended that headlights be replaced as pairs. HID headlights are more expensive to replace but they usually last much longer and you get the added benefit of the light output vs normal bulbs.
RFeldes Posted December 13, 2004 Posted December 13, 2004 I was refering to the $300 replacement. I understand both should be replaced.
GRAND_LS 4 Posted December 13, 2004 Posted December 13, 2004 Lexus doesn't want anyone changing HID bulbs in the 99-00 LS models. It seems the bulbs contain some chemical gas, which can be harmful. Lexus charges around $300 dollars in New York to replace the bulb ( ). The catch is you will not find this special bulb in any AutoZone or Pep Boys stores and the dealerships will not sell you the bulb if you're planning to change it on your own. It isn't very difficult to get the bulb out, however you should be very careful, wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Once you get it out, it will have a part number on it. Using the part number you should be able to find the bulb on the internet. The bulb costs around $50. ← Xenon gas harmful part isn’t the issue, so don’t worry about it, just make sure you don’t touch the glass on the bulb with your bare hand or the oil from your hand will cause it to wear pre-maturely, or even explode when plugged in. Lexus just doesnt want you to touch it because of the voltage generated by the ballast (that generates up to 24,000 Volts I think? On start up) If it’s the driver's side, good luck with the battery... if passenger, then it’s the air box. Should be a simple task. Just make sure you disconnect the battery before getting to it. Again, make SURE you don’t touch the bulb with your hand no matter what.
ECUPirate Posted December 14, 2004 Posted December 14, 2004 holy monkey... how many techs does it take to replace a light bulb... Seriously, would it cost about the same to replace the bulbs on a 2002 LS430? Also, about how long are these bulbs expected to last? My Chryslers always used the regular el cheapo bulbs, but they didn't last too terribly long (couple/three years) and weren't bright.
bartkat Posted December 14, 2004 Posted December 14, 2004 Philips has a higher K bulb that will match a nomally aged bulb in color.
ECUPirate Posted December 14, 2004 Posted December 14, 2004 sounds like you'd be throwing good money after bad... Why not buy two new ones and just keep the one old bulb that still works. Later, when one of the new bulbs burns out, you can put the old bulb in its place and the colors might match up OK.
SW03ES Posted December 14, 2004 Posted December 14, 2004 ECU- Yep, should cost about the same for an 02. The bulbs are supposed to last the life of the vehicle under normal circumstances.
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