I purchased the Lexus OEM illuminated door sill for my RX. I was able to remove the current door sill (starting with passenger side) expecting to see a wiring harness under that. What I found is a long rectangular box with a white lid that I cannot seem to figure out how to remove (assuming the plug is under that). It appears that the clips should pop up but no luck so far - I have not applied significant pressure to them yet, but seems I shouldve gotten some movement but not yet. Has anyone done this for the 5th gen that can provide guidance or have directions? TIA!

UPDATE: I was able to get the lid off the box but there is no plug. I assume it is running up behind the cover underneath the glove box. So...question stands: any ideas where the plug is?

UPDATE 2: I figured it out...yes you do need to remove the panel that the door sill meets and runs up under the glove box. Very easy...there is a twist screw (hand loosen - no tool) by the foot board that needs to be removed and then panel pops off easy. Plug is right there next to door sill. Plug it in and reverse the steps and done!

 

Here is a photo breakdown of the drivers side install. Quick job once I figured it out on the passenger side:


Original non-illuminated sill

Underneath driver side sill - no tools just popped clips with hands to remove old door sill. Takes a little bit of force but be careful not to go too hard. I did hold the adjacent covers down with my other hand while pulling up on the part.

Remove cover in front of door sill next to left foot rest. Hand loosen and remove that screw and pop off cover - these clips were very easy to remove.

The white plug is where the new door sill will plug into. There is a termination plug inside that needs to be removed first by pushing down on the tab and pulling out on the plug

New door sill plug goes here after removing that protective cover in the last step

I did put one zip tie on the wire from the new door sill around the wiring group (black tube in last picture) before clipping everything back together. It is daytime so cant see the lighting but it is working. Even in daytime the new door sill looks sharper.

 

Yup, matches the instructions I put in post #90 in this thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-lights-6.html

 

Thanks. I was actually looking for that exact post (#90) as I saw another post where you had mentioned that you would be linking the directions to a previous post and I could not find it! I did a search for your name, looked under your profile and reviewed your posts during that period and it just didnt come up. Well, considering there is not much info when googling for the solution, we now have two posts to help others. Hopefully that works.

 

Better pictures as well now.

 

I purchased mine from Prestige Lexus on sale for $236 shortly after the car purchase. Super easy install and they look nice at night and even look better during the day than the originals. Also purchased and installed the OEM mudguards too.

 

@Sonny3621 What are your thoughts on the mudguards (the look before vs after)? Did you drill the holes in the back?

 

Units for sale in Canada all have them. They look good and work great. On the sills, they look cool, but the cost up here is close to $500 CAD! Not inclusing installation. I think the door puddle lamps will be my next project.

 

I've always had mudguards on my cars. I like the look and think they serve a purpose. Yes I drilled the necessary holes in the back without having to remove the wheels by jacking the car up on each side just short of the wheel leaving the ground. That provided enough clearance between the tire and fender to get a drill in at an angle to drill the holes. It was pretty easy overall and worked out well. The fronts were no issue at all as turning the wheel fully provided for plenty of clearance room.

 

I have illuminated door sills in cart waiting to press the order button, but have a question first.

Do you feel the illuminated door sills drain the battery much when the doors are open 15 to 20 minutes while cleaning car? I often have at least a couple of my car doors open when cleaning and vacuuming the interior. I certainly hope illuminated sills don’t do a major drainage.

This is the first time in my many, many years of driving I have had to worry about the least little power usage draining my car’s battery.

I actually would like to add puddle lights too, but somewhat concerned that both the illuminated door sills and puddle lights would accelerate battery drainage if doors are open for several minutes.

I have read where batteries have been drained when techs work on cars and leave doors open for long times.

Thanks, VTHiker

 

I would not worry about that at all. No issues with mine. Press the order button.

 

Noticed when I was getting ready to order the illuminated door sills, an additional hardware kit ($10.82) was shown. Is this a required item I need to order with the illuminated door sills? Ordering from Bell Lexus, Scottsdale, AZ.

 

I have no idea what that additional item is. I didn't need anything additional. What does the hardware kit consist of?

 

It's believe it's just a couple zip ties.

 

I just bought the illuminated sill part and nothing extra. There were a couple of zip ties in the box.