Rebuild tail light ls 2005
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 566
Likes: 26
From: MD
following.
i was trying to do the same thing. from what i have read on the site, the resistors end up going bad. especially on the lights that open & close on the trunk lid. i ended up buying replacement lights, but still have my old ones that i wanted to try to rebuild. i ended up finding the larger resistors on ebay, but haven't found the smaller ones yet. so until i do...i'm in limbo.
i was trying to do the same thing. from what i have read on the site, the resistors end up going bad. especially on the lights that open & close on the trunk lid. i ended up buying replacement lights, but still have my old ones that i wanted to try to rebuild. i ended up finding the larger resistors on ebay, but haven't found the smaller ones yet. so until i do...i'm in limbo.
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Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 302
I understand that the tail lights on the 04-06 LS430s are LEDs versus the 01-03 which are conventional bulbs. Are you guys saying that once any part of the rear tail lights fail on fhe 04-06s, it requires an expensive replacement just to get that section up and working again? I have noticed in my travels a number of second gen LS430s with different sections of the tail light/brake lights not working. I assumed it was just the owner not aware of the failed lights, but if those cars notify the driver like mine do of a tail light failure, the driver must be aware of it. I’m going to assume that the expense is a factor that might be a deterrent for the fix for owners that might not be that diligent on fixing and/or spending the bucks for one or two tail lights that are out.
Last edited by Bocatrip; Feb 24, 2019 at 12:23 PM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 13
From: CA
I understand that the tail lights on the 04-06 LS430s are LEDs versus the 01-03 which are conventional bulbs. Are you guys saying that once any part of the rear tail lights fail on fhe 04-06s, it requires an expensive replacement just to get that section up and working again? I have noticed in my travels a number of second gen LS430s with different sections of the tail light/brake lights not working. I assumed it was just the owner not aware of the failed lights, but if those cars notify the driver like mine do of a tail light failure, the driver must be aware of it. I’m going to assume that the expense is a factor that might be a deterrent for the fix for owners that might not be that diligent on fixing and/or spending the bucks for one or two tail lights that are out.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 214
From: Ontario, Canada
Galco (or anyone else), when you replaced any of the rear LED fixtures, did you save the old ones? I think some 04-06 owners would like close-up pics of the circuit board components. I'm sure it's not a difficult fix (in terms of electrical engineering) to get the LEDs working again. Just need to know the specs of the resistors and whatever other components are on the circuit board.
I have a 2002 so no LED board - some of my tail bulbs burned out after 11-12 years of service, and cost near nothing to replace
I have a 2002 so no LED board - some of my tail bulbs burned out after 11-12 years of service, and cost near nothing to replace
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 566
Likes: 26
From: MD
i have saved my set of trunk LED lights. i ended up getting the resistors to match the larger size. but i cant find the smaller resistors. even the site that was suggested had something similar, but not exact. then the other issue is you have to buy a huge quantity.
if i can find the correct smaller sized resistors, i will try to repair my old lights. i'mjust running into that roadblock.
if i can find the correct smaller sized resistors, i will try to repair my old lights. i'mjust running into that roadblock.
Driver
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 101
Likes: 9
From: Copenhagen
On a LED tail light assembly, either individual LEDs, a group of LEDs or the entire assembly may go bad.
The first issue is mostly a cosmetic issue whereas the latter two are safety/legal issues.
On the LS430, what will most often fail, groups (e.g. brake or indicator) or the entire assembly?
The first issue is mostly a cosmetic issue whereas the latter two are safety/legal issues.
On the LS430, what will most often fail, groups (e.g. brake or indicator) or the entire assembly?
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 13
From: CA
Galco (or anyone else), when you replaced any of the rear LED fixtures, did you save the old ones? I think some 04-06 owners would like close-up pics of the circuit board components. I'm sure it's not a difficult fix (in terms of electrical engineering) to get the LEDs working again. Just need to know the specs of the resistors and whatever other components are on the circuit board.
I have a 2002 so no LED board - some of my tail bulbs burned out after 11-12 years of service, and cost near nothing to replace
I have a 2002 so no LED board - some of my tail bulbs burned out after 11-12 years of service, and cost near nothing to replace