How to replace the license plate light
12-26-07, 10:39 AM
#2
Driver School Candidate
I just did this upgrade last weekend.
Step #1 - Open the tailgate! ( yeah I know what a smart *** )
Step #2 - You need to pull off the ENTIRE back panel. This is one piece. To do so you need to remove a few things first. Take out the tool set, cover and tools. Then where the cargo net part is, there are two square tabs that pop off. I believe only one of them have a screw, take that out. Next, the handle. This part is a bit tricky. The handle has 2 clamps that you can pinch and pull out. Pinch your fingers and wiggle it sideways a few times as you pull. Then you need to pull real hard until you hear each of the clips for the handle pop. From memory, I believe you should now have the actual handle in your hand. NOW you can pry off the ENTIRE back panel. I had a hard time by hand, so I used a pronged tool to do this. Try and find like a metal spatula or something and cover it with a towel and start from the bottom. Just wedge it in there and pry. Be careful though.
Step #3 - Now with the panel completely removed, You should see that there is a liner protecting the wiring. You can pull back the top part to access the license plate bulbs. The location of the bulbs should be obvious. I replaced mine with PIAA LED 164 wedge bulbs (white).
Step #4 - Put it back together the same way.
Estimated time - 20 minutes or so.
Once again this is from memory, but I think I am pretty right on.
I have a blizzard pearl and with the PIAA LED's, it looks just like the new GS's. I already received a few compliments.
Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Step #1 - Open the tailgate! ( yeah I know what a smart *** )
Step #2 - You need to pull off the ENTIRE back panel. This is one piece. To do so you need to remove a few things first. Take out the tool set, cover and tools. Then where the cargo net part is, there are two square tabs that pop off. I believe only one of them have a screw, take that out. Next, the handle. This part is a bit tricky. The handle has 2 clamps that you can pinch and pull out. Pinch your fingers and wiggle it sideways a few times as you pull. Then you need to pull real hard until you hear each of the clips for the handle pop. From memory, I believe you should now have the actual handle in your hand. NOW you can pry off the ENTIRE back panel. I had a hard time by hand, so I used a pronged tool to do this. Try and find like a metal spatula or something and cover it with a towel and start from the bottom. Just wedge it in there and pry. Be careful though.
Step #3 - Now with the panel completely removed, You should see that there is a liner protecting the wiring. You can pull back the top part to access the license plate bulbs. The location of the bulbs should be obvious. I replaced mine with PIAA LED 164 wedge bulbs (white).
Step #4 - Put it back together the same way.
Estimated time - 20 minutes or so.
Once again this is from memory, but I think I am pretty right on.
I have a blizzard pearl and with the PIAA LED's, it looks just like the new GS's. I already received a few compliments.
Let me know if you have anymore questions.
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fozzir (01-02-18)
01-16-08, 09:03 PM
#5
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I looked where the light emits thru a plastic window, but don't know where to go from there.
Can you tell me what you did ??
Thanks, Cap
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02-16-08, 01:24 AM
#9
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02-24-08, 09:16 PM
#10
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My manual for 03 GX said "If it is necessary to replace a bulb, take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer as soon as possible."
How do you pop out the light mount? Do you use any special tool for this or just flat head screw driver?
03-03-08, 07:31 PM
#11
I just did this upgrade last weekend.
Step #1 - Open the tailgate! ( yeah I know what a smart *** )
Step #2 - You need to pull off the ENTIRE back panel. This is one piece. To do so you need to remove a few things first. Take out the tool set, cover and tools. Then where the cargo net part is, there are two square tabs that pop off. I believe only one of them have a screw, take that out. Next, the handle. This part is a bit tricky. The handle has 2 clamps that you can pinch and pull out. Pinch your fingers and wiggle it sideways a few times as you pull. Then you need to pull real hard until you hear each of the clips for the handle pop. From memory, I believe you should now have the actual handle in your hand. NOW you can pry off the ENTIRE back panel. I had a hard time by hand, so I used a pronged tool to do this. Try and find like a metal spatula or something and cover it with a towel and start from the bottom. Just wedge it in there and pry. Be careful though.
Step #3 - Now with the panel completely removed, You should see that there is a liner protecting the wiring. You can pull back the top part to access the license plate bulbs. The location of the bulbs should be obvious. I replaced mine with PIAA LED 164 wedge bulbs (white).
Step #4 - Put it back together the same way.
Estimated time - 20 minutes or so.
Once again this is from memory, but I think I am pretty right on.
I have a blizzard pearl and with the PIAA LED's, it looks just like the new GS's. I already received a few compliments.
Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Step #1 - Open the tailgate! ( yeah I know what a smart *** )
Step #2 - You need to pull off the ENTIRE back panel. This is one piece. To do so you need to remove a few things first. Take out the tool set, cover and tools. Then where the cargo net part is, there are two square tabs that pop off. I believe only one of them have a screw, take that out. Next, the handle. This part is a bit tricky. The handle has 2 clamps that you can pinch and pull out. Pinch your fingers and wiggle it sideways a few times as you pull. Then you need to pull real hard until you hear each of the clips for the handle pop. From memory, I believe you should now have the actual handle in your hand. NOW you can pry off the ENTIRE back panel. I had a hard time by hand, so I used a pronged tool to do this. Try and find like a metal spatula or something and cover it with a towel and start from the bottom. Just wedge it in there and pry. Be careful though.
Step #3 - Now with the panel completely removed, You should see that there is a liner protecting the wiring. You can pull back the top part to access the license plate bulbs. The location of the bulbs should be obvious. I replaced mine with PIAA LED 164 wedge bulbs (white).
Step #4 - Put it back together the same way.
Estimated time - 20 minutes or so.
Once again this is from memory, but I think I am pretty right on.
I have a blizzard pearl and with the PIAA LED's, it looks just like the new GS's. I already received a few compliments.
Let me know if you have anymore questions.
simple...
02-06-09, 09:22 AM
#14
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that's it? just pulled down? I did notice there weren't any screws or clips but who knew all I had to do was just pull down iwth grip. sigh...
thank you very much for the post mwbuck. you saved me the trouble of taking apart the interior trim. lol
thank you very much for the post mwbuck. you saved me the trouble of taking apart the interior trim. lol
