Nearside sidelight bulb replacement facelift model.

[steve2006]

When I first purchased the Celsior 3 years ago the offside sidelight bulb was out and after removing the air intake I was just able to get to the bulb holder and replace the bulb.

Yesterday I noticed the nearside one had now failed ( I know it only lasted 20 years!).

To gain access on this side the headlight unit needs to be removed as there are relay and fuse boxes just behind it.

Cue Google which revealed that

Pre facelift models only required removal of a piece of trim, 2 10mm bolts and then after a bit of jiggling to release a push fitting out comes the light.

It also revealed that

Unfortunately with the facelift model there is now a bolt instead of the push fitting inconveniently fitted behind where the bumper joins the wing.

The first video 20 minutes long involved removing the front bumper, the second one 9 minutes long showed how to partially remove the bumper so you could separate it from the wing enough to get to the bolt.

Even this method involves removing part of the arch liner but certainly easier than a full bumper removal.

https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2005_Lexus_LS430_4.3L_V8/lights/headlight

I will however warm up the liner first before bending it out of the way to avoid creasing it.

The pictures below show the difference between the 2 types, the top picture is the pre-facelift ( plastic fastener) and the lower the facelift (bolt).

I never realised that the headlight units are different until now.

 

 

 

[Malc1]

Wot a pullava Steve 😰
It’s quite incredible the advancing technology of more modern cars …….. an owner relying on Main Dealer ( or indeed any commercial garage ) servicing might have incurred something of a £200+ bill just to replace a simple sidelight bulb …….. essential for its MOT 

Ah the blessed old and ancient Ls400 for more simple peace of mind ……. and security of bank balance  👍

Next bulb change in 2044 then 🤞

Well done 

Malc 

[Malc1]

Reminds me my neighbours Audi Q7 headlamp bulb popped and the only fix was simply a replacement headlamp unit at …….. £700 🥵

These modern cars eh ! 

Malc 

[cruisermark]

Thats alot of dismantling to replace a bulb - I hope I don't have to do that one day 🤞

[lex - eleven]

Access to my peugeot 107 bulbs is just as bad if you don't have hands like a 5 year old. I had to remove my bumper to properly get to them.

[BigBoomer]

Thanks Steve, do you have a link to the 20 minute bumper removal video as well?

Yes, modern cars do seem to have gotten more and more difficult to replace the headlight bulbs, but then bulb reliability has also increased considerably.
On my first Carlton (bought in 1997) I was lucky if an H4 bulb lasted 2 years. On my Honda Legends I only replaced the H4 bulbs once in 12 years of ownership.
On my LS430 I have yet to replace any bulb whatsoever (yes, I have probably jinxed it now) in nearly 7 years of ownership, but then dipped beam is an HID.