If you have a 04-06 the tail lights are LED. They illuminate faster than incandescent bulbs.

 

Yep, funny thing is I was fascinated by LEDs back then, and one of the cars I was considering was the Infiniti G35S. My friend asked me, "Why do you like them so much? How often do you drive behind your own car?" So it came to me as a surprise that the LS430 had led tails...not the fancy looking ones like Audi mind you, but I figured it would have standard bulbs...

Since my 3rd light was out, I am actually glad that its a bulb not a LED ($$$$)....

 

Yup, our tails use to have to be replaced if they failed. I came up with a fix though, wasn't paying 1k for new tails. Lol

 

Would $1k be for 4 pieces??? Maybe I was thinking outers are like $230 are something.....LEDs do dim over time, on my Maxima, a state inspection (bogus) required me to replace the LED strip in the spoiler, when it was about 10 y.o......and my LS is 11.....though they do seem quite bright....

Again, thank heavens for the 7440!

 

Just checked mine sure enough it's out is it hard to get the cover out?

 

Not hard at all, takes less than 5 minutes to change. Go into the back seat, slide the light assembly to the left and it will lift up enough to remove the bulb.

 

I've only had my car 5 days, and I replaced the bulb on day 1, so I misunderstood the instructions and began to remove the rear deck (it unclips). The piece you snap off is only the plastic housing with the bulb inside. My bulb was black and said Japan, so it was likely from 2005....I've been meaning to take a picture to clarify. It's not rocket science but nobody wants to break anything or apply force incorrectly...

 

Just like you said slide to left and lift came right out bulb replaced. Thanks!

 

Thankful for this thread. I had not even thought about it,but sure enough mine was out as well!

 

This made me go check mine. So far so good. Working like it should.

 

Ha mine was out when I first got my car

 

I finally put mine back in place, but snapped this pic. That's how the notches look. Seems like when it wasn't permanently in its place, the rear deck had a rattle. It's warped where the plastic housing goes, nearest the glass.....

 

Bumping this....

Just replaced another one.

Literally, 9 of 10 2004-06 LS430s I see have the third brake light out.

I'm starting to wonder if these cars eat through these bulbs? Maybe the LED tails have something to do with it?

I'm not byching about a lightbulb lol, but I have had to change it several times.

Check yours so you don't get pulled over.

 

I have a 2001 and in my 10 years of ownership the bulb is still good. I did read in the service history that it was changed once ages ago. If you have a 2004 and it's not LED and just a bulb....be happy.....very happy as I remember the LED 3rd light on my previously owned G35 was $$$. PS. I have changed numerous tail light/brake light bulbs. I need to be careful changing them as the plastic sockets are fairly brittle from age and heat. I keep spare bulbs in my glove box.

 

Yes, agreed.

I've never had an issue at all with my LED tails....but I feel like I'm changing this bulb more than normal.