VicSWFL

Greetings and a Happy Memorial Day to all:

I'm attempting to change the brake/stop bulbs on my 2003 ES300 to LEDs. The ECU (ECM) will not light both lights at the same time and the high mounted light stays on all the time. Deductive reasoning tells me that the high mounted stop light must be changed to LED also and I'm going to do that.

My current problem for which I seek advice is how to access that high mounted bulb. I want to make sure I know how to remove the plastic cover without breaking it or carving up the attractive grey mouse fur in the process.

Thanks,

Vic
Fort Myers, Florida
2003 ES300 Milennium Silver with 104K miles

DRACO A5OG

The CHMSL cover is held on by tabs, just squeeze down and pull away from the glass. If your car has been sitting in the sun without tinting, it may be brittle so be gently and use clean gloves.

As far as the LEDs, they may not have enough wattage to show the ECM they are working bulbs in there. SuperBrightLEDs.com has higher wattage bulbs to help with this situation and resistors for the turn signals.

Take caution, on sunsets with you facing the sun, the driver behind you may not be able to see the LEDs.

I found Honda Nickel Plated bulbs are even brighter than LED's that I tested. Honda Dealer sells both the standard bulbs and their premium Honda Brand. You must specify which ones you want to they will give the standard store brand and the bulb shape is oblonged too

WILLYumD

I have an old incandescent in my high mount, and my rear lights are all LEDs. I guess maybe they changed it from my generation (3ES) to yours.

I'd also take DRACO's comment into consideration. LEDs draw much less power, so little sometimes that the car might think there's nothing there!

speedkar9

Make sure you do a full comparison of the incandescent bulb and LED bulb your planning to use. In the 4ES the bulbs are pointed upward which makes LED's (which are naturally directional) not useful for traffic behind your car.

Watch my little comparison video for demonstration:


As for the third brake light, its held in with clips, first you slide it (either towards the front of the car or sideways I don't remember) then pry up one side and lift the other side out.