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So I'm hoping someone will be able to help out with a part number. I don't even know specifically what the part is "technically" called, but I see them referred to for other car models as bulb 'brackets' or 'retainers' or 'holders'. I've been scouring multiple Lexus OEM parts sellers and dealership parts department websites, but I have not been able to locate this specific part. It's basically the circular holder that the little wire retaining clip 'clips' into to hold the headlight bulb in place. Mine on a new to me 2012 RX 350 has one of the little wings on the side broken off, so the retaining clip doesn't hold the bulb in place, it's just flopping around in the housing basically, resulting in horrible light output.
Honestly at first I just thought I needed the little wire clip as it was missing, but then I thought it through and started looking around in places I could see myself dropping the damn thing while I was changing the bulb, and sure enough I found it sitting down inside the headlight housing and was able to successfully retrieve it with some needle nose pliers. Only then did I realize that the tab or wing that the one side of the retaining clip slides behind was broken off. It looks like this piece is simply held in with two small screws, so I would think its an easy part to buy, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.
Has anyone had to replace these before and know where to source the part of a part number for either OEM or an aftermarket solution that will work? Thanks in advance!
I'm trying to avoid buying an entirely new headlamp housing as that seems like it would be overkill. This one headlamp honestly, may already have been replaced and be aftermarket, as the part I'm searching for appears to be plastic on the passenger side, yet is metal on the drivers side. Either way, I'd love to find a solution to swap out that bad piece and get those beams back to work! I mean it technically works, but it's not much better than just having the drivers side lit at night at the moment.
Don't mind the strange little wires and epoxy that appear to be hanging off. I think these were installed by a previous owner as the fix for the problem.
This is the part I'm looking to replace inside the headlamp housing. You can see the little clip / wing that is broken off on the left side.
Looks like 2 parts are damaged, the housing and the clip. If the other part can be unscrewed, I would remove it and try to rebuild the broken part with JB weld epoxy putty, or ask a weld shop if they could do something. I doubt you can find it separately, but you never know.
Would a complete clip help hold it in place?
I may have found the clip on eBay although it says it is for the D2S bulb and you have a D4S bulb I think they have the same or very similar base and it is for $12.95:
Then there is another version that also says D2S but it is a little different. I bet one of these matches yours:
If that is not it I would get a used one from a wreck at a pick-n-pull auto recycle yard. Or look on eBay. This same HID bulbs housing design with clip is used on many Lexus and Toyota models with HID headlights. However you may be out of luck and have to buy a complete headlight. Again if so, used will be far cheaper and there are many on eBay.
Or go to this Lexus dealer online parts site, enter your VIN and hunt for the part, if it is sold separately. It may not be available that way. https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com/
Maybe you could zip tie the bulb in place?
Last edited by Clutchless; Dec 31, 2024 at 01:34 PM.
I had another idea this morning. What you need is a broken HID headlamp from an auto recycler. Then you could strip out the parts you need. You could probably buy it for little money if a local yard has any 2010-15 RX's with broken headlamps that have intact bulb connections inside, so those with just a broken lens. I would call a local yard first. They all have a communication system to contact other yards to search for parts.
Thanks for the reply. I actually did find the wire clip resting in the lens headlamp housing and retrieved it with some pliers. Eventually though, I ended up replacing both headlights with aftermarket ones. Time will tell if they last. The reason I did that was after inspecting them more, these things were both messed up. That little bracket inside the lens that holds the bulb did not appear removable/replaceable, or someone had epoxied it in there solid (one of these was aftermarket already I think). Also my driver's side light the motor for the auto leveling feature was basically torn off. WTF happened in here I don't know. It appears a gremlin did some work. My guess is somewhere in the past year it happened as the car was sold a few times at auction. I kind of knew what I was getting into when I bought it, so I'm in the process of ironing out the issues that needed to be addressed. I'm 99% there now. New front sway bar bushings and links, new tires + TPMS sensors, and now new headlights.
The new lights are great though so far, but now I'm troubleshooting another "problem" that I'm guessing is due to some re-wiring someone previously did on the lighting wires as both the DRLs and the fog lights were upgraded by a previous owner to LEDs. (At least they look like aftermarket upgrades to me). Basically the DRLs don't come on unless I turn the switch on the stalk to the "On" position. Not a huge deal, but I'm scratching my head as they work great and are bright as heck, but don't come on during the day when it's in the "Auto" position. Only if I turn it to the "On" position, if that makes sense. I don't think its a sensor, as the HID low beams do come on automatically when it gets dark. IDK... I'll make a separate post about that after I gather all the info and do some more troubleshooting.
HID Bulb Holder / Bracket / Retainer
