Help please! this original post is from another member with the same question that was not answered in the forums; "Guys, I'm still trying to figure out how to change a REAR side marker bulb".

"Anyone done this that could provide somewhat detailed instructions? Is it also through the wheel well?"

I am also struggling with this. Can someone help me?

thank you

 

To fix the rear side marker lights you must go through the trunk and remove interior garnish and carpet pieces. Go to this thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...ast-night.html and in comment #5 I posted a PDF document. Go to page two of the PDF. To get to the lamp so you can replace the bulb, you have to remove "Luggage compartment Trim Cover sub-Assy LH or RH and then reach down to the lamp. The most difficult task is removing the garnish clips, (gray to match the carpeting) without breaking them. If you don't have a SST clip removal tool, use a flat blade screwdriver, slip it into the head of the clip in the slot, then pry and work it up carefully. If you break them you'll be out a couple of bucks PER clip.

 

Now that's funny, I had a rear marker light out so when I took my 430 to the dealer for an oil change, I asked them to replace it because after looking at it I assumed you had to pull the trunk trim and get at it that way. The dealership told me that to change that bulb they had to pull the rear bumper!!! I told them that was crazy but if that's the way it had to be done, I wasn't paying for labor twice when the other side went out so they better just replace both of them. Got the bill and it wasn't that bad so I asked, and come to find out they could get to the bulb by pulling loose the inside wheel well trim on both sides. BTW this is a top-notch LEXUS dealer!!

TOXIC

 

I suppose you could go through the inside wheel well cover too. While I am not opposed to getting my hand dirty, it's a lot cleaner job going through the trunk garnish. Guess the old saying still fits; there's more than one way to skin-a-cat.

 

Unfortunately the dealership is right, the lights are mounted in the bumper and cannot be accessed from the trunk, all you will find once you tear the trunk apart is the wiring harness going through a grommet in the sheet metal to the light in the bumper. There is a very small space between the trunk body and bumper so trunk access is denied, ( I tried from the trunk first when I had the trunk apart doing the rear struts ). When I changed my bulbs I had to jack the car up, take the screws out of the rear part of the wheel well liner then pull out on the bottom of the bumper to give access to the light fixture, be careful, this doesn't give you much room but it can be done!! I got big hands but with a little finess and allot of swearing I got them replaced!! Saves pulling the rear bumper. Good luck!

 

There is a YouTube video showing a guy replacing his rear bulb. He jacks up the rear and removes the tire. Then unscrews 4 screws and takes off one clip. He then pulls away the under shroud just enough to get his hand between the shroud and the metal to access fixture. Turns socket counterclockwise to remove bulb. I agree you cannot access via trunk.

 

Ok, so I did my left rear bulb replacement today. I hope I meet the sob who designed this part of the car! I’ve got some,choice words for him! Ha! The task is easy until you try and place the fixture with the new bulb back in the socket and twist to “lock it”. I removed the tire, unscrewed 4 screws, and pulled out the plastic retainer fastener that holds the left rear bumper section. Even with all that you need very skinny arms and small hands to do this. And be sure and wear a long sleeve shirt.