jarm

Hey Ya'll,

I noticed that driving my LS last weekend that the right headlight was fluttering going down the road. It did not go off but it looked like a loose connection. When I arrived at the golf course, someone told me that he noticed that the right headlight was out. Now I got home and I have checked the headlight and nothing seams to be a problem. Both low beam and high beams go off and on with no problem. My question is : is the headlight bulb going out or do I have a connection problem? I hate to take off the tire and inner wheel cover to change the bulb unless I need to. Second question: If I have to change the bulb what is the best brand to use?

Thanks

Jarm

darksands

Sounds like the typical HID bulb going out. Does it change color to pink as it flickers? To check to see that it is the bulb and not the ballast, swap bulbs from the working side. If the problem follows the bulb then it's the bulb, if not then it's the ballast.

Don't now about the best brand but I would stick with the name brands such as Philips or go to a Toyota dealership and get factory bulb. Factory temp for our cars is 5000K if I recall correctly.

Factory Toyota bulb is ~150.00 EACH!
Philips Ultinon 5000K D4S are ~250.00 for the pair.
Philips 5000K Standard/Crystal Vision PN:42402C1 bubs are ~50.00 Each

CJITTY

This has been discussed numerous times here....just get a new pair of bulbs on ebay, much cheaper for the OEM bulbs than at the dealer. I say pair because typically the other bulb is not far behind.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

plus if you get one bulb the color would be off, hid bulbs color changes as it burns longer and longer

Nospinzone

Ah ha! That's the second thing I've learned on this forum just today.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yes, as hid burns longer, it starts to get bluer and the pinker etc...

that's why sometimes when factory 4100k runs for a while and say a bulb goes out, some people might replace it with 5000k so the color matches up closer

but given the cost for a pair of bulbs on ebay, might as well change the pair

jarm

Well the fluttering headlight bulb finally went completely out. I purchased two new factory OEM HID Toyota bulbs made by Phillips on Ebay. I will be putting in the both bulbs when they arrive. I will keep you updated on the installation.

jarm

Slvr surfr

iTrader: (1)

Remember back when HID bulds first hit the mainstream market and they said they would last longer than traditional bulbs? Here +/- 15 years later, HID bulbs are failing just as much as reg bulbs and maybe even more. I've had headlights on my 89 Grand Marquis that lasted longer than these HID bulbs. Got one on my 05 LS that's starting to do the "Lexus Blink". Just replaced the lights in both of my GF's ES's. SMH

CJITTY

If any of you are using the AUTO headlight setting and you start your car in a garage or always at night when dark..you are significantly reducing the life of your hid bulbs. There is no delay (major oversight on Lexus if you ask me) to turn the lights on after the car has cranked up. The start up surge going through the lights on startup is bad..just look how they flicker when cranking the car. Always turn on lights after the car has started and turn of lights before turning car off. I did this on my Acura TL and LS460 and my HID bulbs lasted a very long time..same goes for aftermarket hid kits..those really don't like that surge startup. Luckily my 600 doesn't crank on start so I can leave my HID fogs on and my headlights are LED..no surges

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jarm

I put both new bulbs in without much problem. The inner wheel wells came out OK. The only problem I had was the lug nuts were hard to get off. But after some penetrating oil overnight, no problem, I have a question for everyone. The factory owners manual say to torque the lug nuts to 107 lbs. But everyone on this site says 76 lbs. Any help on this?

jarm

jmcraney

The owner's manual for the '07 LS says 103.3 foot pounds. That odd number is probably the result of conversion from metric specifications.

CJITTY

103

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jarm

So is it 76 lbs. or 103 lbs. torque for the wheels?

jmcraney

If the owner's manual says "103.3" then in my way of thinking that is the correct answer. I have searched all of the LS460, LS460L and LS600h forum threads for the term "76" and it only occurs twice and both instances are in this thread, and you (jarm) are the one who used "76" in your questions. As far as I can tell no one has said, in the LS460, LS460L and LS600h forums, that the correct torque is 76. Perhaps I don't understand your question.

CJITTY

Been running 103 for last 3 years on two different LS 4th Gens, not an issue..so go 103