swampthing

Need some tech help here

I recently purchased blacked out headlights for my 94 Lexus ES300. (1992-1996 use the same headlight assembly)

These appear to be made for the overseas version of the ES300, the Toyota Windom (JDM) for Japan Domestic Market.

The turn signal bulbs on these replacement housings use a different socket, specifically for a 1156 single filament S-8 style bulb (amber or clear) with the park (clearance) lights using a separate bulb. The bulb sockets were not included with these new headlight assemblies as it was probably assumed that they would be moved over from the old assemblies.

Note: the US model ES300s have a reflector in the same location as the park (clearance) light on these replacement headlight assemblies and, as such, the US model ES300 uses a 1157 double filament S-8 style bulb (amber glass) for turn signal and park(clearance) light on each side.

The US Lexus dealer can only bring up the double filament 1157 bulb socket (with three electrical contacts) and not the single filament 1156 bulb socket (with two electrical contacts). They are not interchangeable as they have different slotting (or indexing).

Does anybody know the single filament turn signal bulb socket part number and where to get it. Toyota and Lexus dealers here in San Diego have been unable to pull it up on there computers. I have been told that if the part was not used on US/Canadian Toyota or Lexus cars, then the part will not be in the North American parts inventory.

Keith

PeterR1

...Japan...

BK4293

Can't help you there, but I wonder about the cut off pattern on the projectors, maybe not too big of a deal with hologen bulbs, but the Japanese cars are Right hand drive, aren't they?

swampthing

PeterR1, thanks... Japan, that was witty.

swampthing

BK..., the problem is not the headlight bulbs, they're fine, but rather the socket that holds the turn signal bulb.

QuachmanES

iTrader: (4)

I think BK was referring to the JDM vs. USDM headlight issue. Because JDM vehicles are right-hand drive, there is more light targeted towards the left (passenger side) of the car as to not blind oncoming drivers. The projector lenses have different cutoffs.

Since you are using a JDM housing in a USDM vehicle in the USA where cars are left-hand drive, the headlights may be aimed improperly and shine, again, more towards the left of the vehicle and onto oncoming traffic because we drive on the opposite side of the road.

swampthing

Thanks Quachman, yes, I have heard that the lights may aim differently, but that may even be adjustable. there are two adjusting screws on each housing that enable some degree of aiming. Hopefully enough to achieve a good balance of coverage without the hazzard of blinding other drivers. These headlights are still conventional, in that they are not HIDs. Even Stevie Wonder could see that they're too bright.

BoostedE21

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your issue, but I can't imagine you'll be able to use single-filament turn signal assemblies designed for the japanese market in the US. You'll be cited for equipment failure, and won't be able to pass a state inspection. I had the same issue when replacing parts on my old BMW, which was euro-spec. They only use single filament (no parking lights in the front), so I had to buy a different socket and retrofit it into my replacement part to avoid spending hundreds on a discontinued part. You'll have to do the same thing, or deal with the US parts.

QuachmanES

iTrader: (4)

It's not an issue with aiming, since the adjusting screws only adjust the height. It's the design of the projector lenses themselves. There is a higher cutoff on the left in JDM lenses vs. a higher cutoff on the right on USDM lenses. If you adjust them low enough as to not blind other drivers, you will get very little light coverage on the road in front of you.

I know these are pics of HID's, but it should give you a good idea of the cutoffs.
USDM cutoff:


JDM cutoff:

BK4293

So all you need is a socket for an 1156 bulb?

Aren't out reverse lights 1156???

???

You can find the sockets at any decent autoparts store....

swampthing

Here is a picture of the socker for a single filament 1156 bulb.
It twists in and makes contact with a ribbon cable on the headlight assembly.
Universal will not work. US socket for 1157 bulb has different hole pattern and electrical contact points as explained above.