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Can someone please tell me how to change the shift indicator light on my
LS 430 2002. The dealer is quite unreasonable so I would like to do it myself.
I have managed to switch out temp adjust lamp , headlight washer and transmission mode selector. Just not quite sure about the shift indicator and do not want to break something. Thanks
The dealer's price may be "unreasonable" because changing the gear selector bulb is an A-1 b1tch of a job. I did it a few weeks ago on the wife's Camry and it took quite a bit of time due to the bulb being buried in the bowels of the assembly.
The attached diagram is of the gear selector mechanism for an 02 Canadian spec LS430 -- a number by the gear selector bulb is highlighted.
You have to take off the wooden ****, then remove the seat heat/cool then pry the wood panel up from the arm rest's end with a flat screw driver layered in cloth to avoid scratches.
The rest will be obvious. Be careful not to break or SCRATCH the wood as you remove parts. IF IF memory serves me right, its a #74 bulb.
Oh come on, my light in the shift selector has just gone out and I can't believe someone hasn't posted a more uplifting way to do this.
I have an 04 LS430.
And are there lights in the little ash tray just under the CD access plate and above the seat heater switches and in the bigger ash tray beside the shifter? What number please.
Just got off the phone with Lexus. No light in the little compartment just above the heater switch.
The bulb for the shifter PN is 90987-11018 and is just a straight push in type. $4.50
Any guess what Lexus wants to replace it?
Okay, Lexus wanted one hour of labor $132 an hour. Plus the bulb I'm sure they would of charged $19.95?
So I tackled it my self. No tools needed except a plastic spoon.
Sorry, I didn't take pictures BUT I want to tell you, it took me 20 mins tops to do it. You can do it.
Snap off the chrome ring starting in the forward point,
Do take out the heater switch panel (leave it attached and just off to the side)
Take out the center console cover that surrounds the shifter, It comes out very easy. start at the front and pull (leave it attached and just off to the side)
Then undo the 4 clips holding the shifter box (oh ya, unscrew the shifter ****)
The bulb is in the back of the shifter box. Twist it out, pull the ole bulb with a green cover and insert your new #74 LED bulb. Push it in hard to seat it.
Reverse the order.
Next I've got to tackle replacing the foam in my front door speakers.
Just did this. THANK YOU again to CL forum folks for posting experiences and diagrams, especially @rkw77080 and @Hagar . Although, regarding above, you will need a little more than a plastic spoon. The correct bulb part is90981-11018. I do not consider myself much of a do-it-yourself-er, but I would rate this job as pretty easy, 20 minutes. The caveat of any interior work is to know the concept/feeling of gradual pressure. All those wood pieces are snapped in with cushion snaps, and will fairly easily pop out, but you have to apply gentle pressure. If you go in there with the word "pry" in your head, you will break them, and they are spendy. Thankfully I have not had to do that yet and I have dismantled my entire center console before. Patience is a key word. NO screwdrivers required at all for this job.
***Everybody should buy a $15-$20 installers vinyl tool kit. I got mine for $17, some of the best money I have spent. Helps prevents scratches and supplies more even pressure. You should never go near those wood pieces with metal anything.
To confirm above, you do have to remove 1-shift ****, 2-seat heater light panel, 3-chrome bezel piece, 4-wood base around shifter, 5-shifter console, and 6-translucent plate inside. **One tip about what I found tricky from the wording above, the clips on the shift console.....ignore the shiny metal ones you will see very obviously on the sides. The clips referred to above are in the 4 corners and are invisible at first glance. They are simple small plastic snap-ins. I recommend a finger nail to pop them out.
Last edited by CA2WALS430; Oct 1, 2022 at 10:59 AM.
More thanks to this thread! Not sure how long the bulb has been out in my car but function has been restored. Great how-to and the part was only $6 from eBay.
Shift indicator light replaement
The correct bulb part is 90981-11018. I do not consider myself much of a do-it-yourself-er, but I would rate this job as pretty easy, 20 minutes. The caveat of any interior work is to know the concept/feeling of gradual pressure. All those wood pieces are snapped in with cushion snaps, and will fairly easily pop out, but you have to apply gentle pressure. If you go in there with the word "pry" in your head, you will break them, and they are spendy. Thankfully I have not had to do that yet and I have dismantled my entire center console before. Patience is a key word. NO screwdrivers required at all for this job.
I made a video
