Al Dubya

I have a 2004 ES 330, and need to replace a burnt out tail light bulb on the driver side, but I can only find a thread on replacing bulbs for the ES 300, in my searches. This is the light on the back of the trunk lid. Can anyone offer advise on getting to the bulb or point me to a thread?

I've tried a) taking off the trunk liner but I'm stumped getting it past the safety release handle, and b) removing the 2 nuts for the assembly itself, but the assembly seems to be held by something unseen on the other side and I don't want to chance breaking something.

This is probably something easy to do - if I know what I'm doing. Advice is appreciated.

Lexusfreak

Anything mentioned in the owners manual?

JSM1284

The buld isnt accessible through the trunk lid? You need to remove the mat attached to the trunk lid. Pull out the black clips that hold it on, then you can get to the back of the lamp

Al Dubya

I did remove a couple of the black clips, but I guess I have to remove most or all of them to get the liner out of the way. I'll try that. Regarding the owners manual all they show is a diagram of where the bulbs are located and the bulb wattage and numbers. No actual instruction for replacing except to say to take it to the dealer.

Al Dubya

Success! JSM1284 is correct, I had to remove a few of the black plastic fasteners and then pull the liner down enough to get my hand in. Then I was able to get the bulb holder out easily. I did break a couple of the fasteners in the process, but found a box of "universal" replacement fasteners at the auto store, so no problem. Replacing the tail light bulb did turn out to be easier than it first looked.

ArcES330

Glad I found this old thread. My 2004 ES330 driver side tail gate light went out. I went to local Pepboys, Phllips Light Book says to use #192. my 2004 Owner's manual says #168. They looks similar to me from outside of the package, anyway I bought #168.
I was confused by plastic fasteners, not sure how to remove them. After reading this thread, I just pulled on the liner hard enough to pop the plastic fasteners only need to pop 3 of them. Luckily they just popped not broken. Took me less than 5 minutes to replace the light bulb and verify it worked before I put the liner and plastic fasteners back in.

pauloil

did you consider the LED replacement bulb? way cool!