Headlight replacement
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: canada
Headlight replacement
Hello,
I have a 2011 Lexus GS350 with about 120k miles on it. Recently, my passenger low beam headlight went out. While waiting for a new bulb (took a guess), I noticed some condensation appearing inside of the headlight housing itself in both the lowbeam and high beam; I can't see cracks in the lens where moisture may have gotten in so I'm guessing it's the seal. When I finally got around to replacing the bulb, there was a bit of water that I had to suck up inside the headlight body. New bulb didn't work, so I'm pretty sure the ballast got shorted out (or was an issue before?).
Anyway, given the age of the car, headlights not looking that great and the work involved with replacing the ballast (remove front bumper), I am considering replacing the entire headlight assembly on both sides to freshen things up.
Has anyone had any luck ordering headlight assemblies from alibaba? They're going for about $200usd each new, but I'm wondering if I'm inviting more issues by going this route. Full price from the dealership is brutal, and Rock Auto is only a bit better. Thoughts?
Thanks!
I have a 2011 Lexus GS350 with about 120k miles on it. Recently, my passenger low beam headlight went out. While waiting for a new bulb (took a guess), I noticed some condensation appearing inside of the headlight housing itself in both the lowbeam and high beam; I can't see cracks in the lens where moisture may have gotten in so I'm guessing it's the seal. When I finally got around to replacing the bulb, there was a bit of water that I had to suck up inside the headlight body. New bulb didn't work, so I'm pretty sure the ballast got shorted out (or was an issue before?).
Anyway, given the age of the car, headlights not looking that great and the work involved with replacing the ballast (remove front bumper), I am considering replacing the entire headlight assembly on both sides to freshen things up.
Has anyone had any luck ordering headlight assemblies from alibaba? They're going for about $200usd each new, but I'm wondering if I'm inviting more issues by going this route. Full price from the dealership is brutal, and Rock Auto is only a bit better. Thoughts?
Thanks!
Aftermarket headlights are not as good quality as oem. I have one on one side of my car, so I able to compare. First the auto tilt will throw up random codes, what I did to stop the error code from popping up was simply disabling the auto tilt by pulling the fuse. Next they arrive with the headlight beams why off so intially you will need to aim properly. Also after 2 years of use, the lenses clear coat started to de laminate
My suggestion is to replace the ballast and if your lenses are fogged up take the headlights to a body shop and have them sand them with 1000 grit sand paper and spray a layer of 2k clear coat. Or you can do it yourself if you buy professional grade 2k clear from auto body paint supply store. There are videos online to show how its done, I would avoid buffing the headlights as that doesnt last aslong. They will come out like brand new! As for the condensation inside. you have a leak or a crack in the housing. Its not too difficult to find once you remove the headlight.
My suggestion is to replace the ballast and if your lenses are fogged up take the headlights to a body shop and have them sand them with 1000 grit sand paper and spray a layer of 2k clear coat. Or you can do it yourself if you buy professional grade 2k clear from auto body paint supply store. There are videos online to show how its done, I would avoid buffing the headlights as that doesnt last aslong. They will come out like brand new! As for the condensation inside. you have a leak or a crack in the housing. Its not too difficult to find once you remove the headlight.
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 208
Likes: 61
From: TX
I agree with ibidu1. I would avoid aftermarket headlight and ballast.
For ballast, I would look for an OEM one from junky yards or eBay.
For headlight, I would remove it and seal it properly, and then do the buffing and 2K clear coat yourself.
Just remember that 2K clear coat has short shelf-life (like 48 hours) after it's opened.
For ballast, I would look for an OEM one from junky yards or eBay.
For headlight, I would remove it and seal it properly, and then do the buffing and 2K clear coat yourself.
Just remember that 2K clear coat has short shelf-life (like 48 hours) after it's opened.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: canada
I don't see any cracking in the lens casing itself (from the outside), so my best guess is that it may be the rubber seal where the lens case meets the headlight body that has failed. I have seen a number of videos online about resealing the headlight, but none specific to the GS350. It seems like an intricate process, so I'm undecided between just buying a used OEM headlight and using that or not.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: canada
I agree with ibidu1. I would avoid aftermarket headlight and ballast.
For ballast, I would look for an OEM one from junky yards or eBay.
For headlight, I would remove it and seal it properly, and then do the buffing and 2K clear coat yourself.
Just remember that 2K clear coat has short shelf-life (like 48 hours) after it's opened.
For ballast, I would look for an OEM one from junky yards or eBay.
For headlight, I would remove it and seal it properly, and then do the buffing and 2K clear coat yourself.
Just remember that 2K clear coat has short shelf-life (like 48 hours) after it's opened.
Its possible if a previous owner replaced a headlight and didnt properly seat the caps. Its not difficult to access the caps, and you do not need to remove the headlight nor the bumper. You may or may not have to remove the side engine covers, the one that covers the radiator, and the long side covers. Shine a light on the back of the headlights and look for obvious signs like a not seated properly covers, or cracks etc. Remove the covers inspect the rubber seal, you can apply a light coat of grease, or seal lube if you want to get fancy.
If there are cracks on the housing itself, you can remove the headlight. Sand down the crack, clean the surface and apply jb weld to seal it.
If there are cracks on the housing itself, you can remove the headlight. Sand down the crack, clean the surface and apply jb weld to seal it.
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 208
Likes: 61
From: TX
Its possible if a previous owner replaced a headlight and didnt properly seat the caps. Its not difficult to access the caps, and you do not need to remove the headlight nor the bumper. You may or may not have to remove the side engine covers, the one that covers the radiator, and the long side covers. Shine a light on the back of the headlights and look for obvious signs like a not seated properly covers, or cracks etc. Remove the covers inspect the rubber seal, you can apply a light coat of grease, or seal lube if you want to get fancy.
If there are cracks on the housing itself, you can remove the headlight. Sand down the crack, clean the surface and apply jb weld to seal it.
If there are cracks on the housing itself, you can remove the headlight. Sand down the crack, clean the surface and apply jb weld to seal it.
Take a look at this video at 5:40 mark to see the close up view of how precisely they need to be installed.
In fact, before you pull out the entire headlight assembly, simply try to swap the light bulbs to confirm the bulb failure.
Once you study the above video and understand the tricks, swapping a bulb is pretty straightforward,
but without that knowledge, it's going to be very frustrating.
Also, I didn't get to capture the putting back the bumper in the video, but I struggle to do it myself,
and I had to get my wife to help, because on the bottom of the bumper, certain sections tuck under or over
other sections of the car while trying to get it fit around the headlight assembly.
Take a close up pictures of bottom of the car where bumper part tucks under and over other parts.
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7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
From: Sweden
I'm facing the same issue regarding condensation inside the headlight. I've written a post about it on the UK Lexus-forum, maybe it will aid you in at least some way:
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