Driver's Side Brake Light Assembly Removal
 

Hi all,

My brake light (dual filament) burnt out on my drivers side rear brake light (NOT the third brake light).

I removed two screws hidden underneath the black caps. However it still feels like something is holding the assembly into place. Is there another screw that is holding it, or does it just "pop" out.

Also, when pulling out, should I be pulling straight out? Or should I be pulling to a certain side.

Thanks in advance!

I wrote a step by step DIY, but cant find it with search.

The assembly needs to be swung out (screws being on the inside)

Salim

This ones not to difficult but you're gonna need to pop out some clips to pull back the trunk liner. there should be 2 bolts that hold down the taillight housing.

I'll try the trunk liner tonight. I tried briefly last night, but I did not find any place to "grip" the liner and pull it out.

99 Rx does not require removing trunk liner.

I will try search function to find my writeup.

Salim

Sorry I should clarify, ours is a 2000 RX300 AWD.

Found it ..

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=bulb

Should be same for 2000.
Salim

Great! Thanks!

Just to confirm, I "swing" the assembly out like I'm opening a door, with the hinge being the leftmost corner of the assembly?

Its really tight, I don't want to break anything...

It has been a while but I am pretty sure you have to swing it away.

A better way to explain is just pull away from the side the screws hold the lense down ... think of the screws push the lense assembly into the vehicle. After removing the screws, just counter the hold down force of the screws.

The lense assembly will swing like a door. There is no hinge, but the molding forms a ying yang (Figure in Korean flag) like structure.

Just be careful .... since it is stuck, when it pops, have some one grab it.

Last resort would be to put the screws back and loosen them as much as you can without releasing them. Cover the tip of a flat screwdriver with tape and use it as a lever to break the stuck seal. The screws will prevent the travel of the lense.

Just be gentle and if the thing does not budge, post again or use Private Mail and I will undo my tail lamp to verify that only 2 screws hold it down.

Salim

Update: Success

Thank you for your detailed instructions. I'll write up what I did here to serve as further reference for others:

Left Hand/Drivers Side Tail Light Assembly Removal

1) Open trunk

2) Remove two plastic covers with a small flathead screwdriver. There will be grooves where you can stick the head in

3) Remove the two 10mm screws with a Phillips screwdriver

4) Use a thin flathead screwdriver that is covered in tape (to prevent scratching) and insert into the opposite end of where the 10mm screws are (This is basically where the tail light touches the fender)

5) Slip the flathead in, and gently pry out the tail light. There are two plastic guides that must pop out. During this process, be sure to keep a little bit of pressure where the two 10mm screws used to be.

6) When both guides have popped out, gently pull out the assembly. The only thing it should be attached to now is the wiring harness.

7) Replace burnt out light bulbs, or unclip wiring harness and remove assembly.

8) Job finished

I apologize for the lack of pictures but I didn't have a camera on me at the time.