2003 Es 300 Remove And Replace Side Mirror / Door Liner Panel

jpb100 · February 11, 2009

Need to replace side view mirror -

Thought that all I had to do was remove the plastic corner piece and the hardware behind it.

It seems that the harness for the mirror is inside the door -

How do I remove the interior door panel - Bottom comes loose easily - BUT !!!!

Thanks

gbhrps · February 12, 2009

jpb100,

Every model and maker does it differently, but they all are very similar. Look inside the door handle area. The back plate comes off by prying it with a flat bladed screwdriver (tape the blade to prevent scratches). Under it is a screw to remove. Usually the window switch plate pries up from the rear. Be careful not to break off the tabs. Once up you can disconnect the wiring harness. And in the opening you may again see another screw to remove.

The same may be true of the courtesy light. Pop out the lens to see if there's a screw underneath. If not, when you finally do start to pull the door panel, reach in behind to disconnect the wiring to the courtesy light.

There will be 2 bolts or screws in behind the arm rest/door pull. The problem is finding them. Some arm rest/door pulls have visible plugs that pop out to reveal the bolts. Others have a back side to the door pull that opens up to find them. Others pop up at one end and then slide forward to pop off, revealing the screws.

At this point you usually have to pop out each of the plugs down the sides and across the bottom, which you've already found. Then pull the entire panel straight up to remove it. Once you peel back the plastic weather shield, you'll see the harness to the mirror.

If you have any doubts, go see a Lexus service rep and ask how its done. They should show you a blowup on a computer screen if you can get one to cooperate. Good Luck!

jpb100 · February 12, 2009

jpb100,
Every model and maker does it differently, but they all are very similar. Look inside the door handle area. The back plate comes off by prying it with a flat bladed screwdriver (tape the blade to prevent scratches). Under it is a screw to remove. Usually the window switch plate pries up from the rear. Be careful not to break off the tabs. Once up you can disconnect the wiring harness. And in the opening you may again see another screw to remove.

The same may be true of the courtesy light. Pop out the lens to see if there's a screw underneath. If not, when you finally do start to pull the door panel, reach in behind to disconnect the wiring to the courtesy light.

There will be 2 bolts or screws in behind the arm rest/door pull. The problem is finding them. Some arm rest/door pulls have visible plugs that pop out to reveal the bolts. Others have a back side to the door pull that opens up to find them. Others pop up at one end and then slide forward to pop off, revealing the screws.

At this point you usually have to pop out each of the plugs down the sides and across the bottom, which you've already found. Then pull the entire panel straight up to remove it. Once you peel back the plastic weather shield, you'll see the harness to the mirror.

If you have any doubts, go see a Lexus service rep and ask how its done. They should show you a blowup on a computer screen if you can get one to cooperate. Good Luck!

Thanks for responding - Later on I found a few pointers - there are only 2 screws in total and they are where you surmised, 1 is behind a plate behind the door handle and the other is under the panel that holds the door switches - after that it was easy.