Headlight replacement for a 2004 SC430.
03-17-19, 10:02 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Headlight replacement for a 2004 SC430.
Hi all,
I need to change the headlights on my SC430. They have gotten so yellow and so foggy that they are past restoration at this point. I am located in Gold Coast, Australia, and a local parts shop has the headlights for quite a cheap price. However, they are for the 2006 model, which means that they are from the post facelift SC430 - my SC430 is the pre facelift model. I am wondering if the headlights will fit?
These are my current headlights: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...light-bulb.jpg
However, these are the headlights the shop has in stock: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...sT9eci1e2RznZw
Help will be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
I need to change the headlights on my SC430. They have gotten so yellow and so foggy that they are past restoration at this point. I am located in Gold Coast, Australia, and a local parts shop has the headlights for quite a cheap price. However, they are for the 2006 model, which means that they are from the post facelift SC430 - my SC430 is the pre facelift model. I am wondering if the headlights will fit?
These are my current headlights: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...light-bulb.jpg
However, these are the headlights the shop has in stock: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...sT9eci1e2RznZw
Help will be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
03-17-19, 11:23 PM
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
03-18-19, 07:04 AM
#4
Moderator
06-10 taillights are a direct replacement with the 02-05 SC430 versions with NO fitment issues like the headlamps. You’ll need the 06-10 rear reflectors too.
But... there is always a but isn’t there. Since the LEDs have different resistance then the original 02-05 incandescent bulbs the car senses a bulb(s) has/have failed and turns on the dashboard indicator light. To avoid this annoyance, replace the the fuse panel located in the trunk, (yes, the whole panel, called the luggage room junction block) with the 06 or greater version.
There are two solutions to this. 1. Replace the trunk junction block to match the 06 tails. 2. Put a piece of black electrical tape over the dashboard indicator light so you don’t see it. I’m told it is not noticeable although I don’t know. There are instructions in another thread in how to take the speedometer out and apart to do the tape over the indicator light. Or, do nothing and ignore the red tail lamp out warning light.
Back years ago, when quite a few of us did this upgrade, Sewell Lexus had special package priced accordingly. Don’t know if they would still do it. The part number for the luggage room junction block: 82670-24093.
But... there is always a but isn’t there. Since the LEDs have different resistance then the original 02-05 incandescent bulbs the car senses a bulb(s) has/have failed and turns on the dashboard indicator light. To avoid this annoyance, replace the the fuse panel located in the trunk, (yes, the whole panel, called the luggage room junction block) with the 06 or greater version.
There are two solutions to this. 1. Replace the trunk junction block to match the 06 tails. 2. Put a piece of black electrical tape over the dashboard indicator light so you don’t see it. I’m told it is not noticeable although I don’t know. There are instructions in another thread in how to take the speedometer out and apart to do the tape over the indicator light. Or, do nothing and ignore the red tail lamp out warning light.
Back years ago, when quite a few of us did this upgrade, Sewell Lexus had special package priced accordingly. Don’t know if they would still do it. The part number for the luggage room junction block: 82670-24093.
Last edited by VVTiBob; 03-18-19 at 10:40 AM. Reason: Edited for clarity. Added J/B info
03-18-19, 10:26 AM
#5
Lead Lap
There are a number of folks who own 2002-2005 SC430s and have replaced their headlights with the 2006+ headlights. Do a search in this forum and you'll find how they did it.
03-21-19, 06:12 PM
#6
It might be an option to bring your car to a professional detail shop and see what it would take to bring them back to like new condition. They can sand the top completely off then with progressive grit paper bring it back to a brilliant clear lens.
If in in their pro opinion they can’t be fixed then that is that.
Likely a quarter or less price then complete replacement.
If in in their pro opinion they can’t be fixed then that is that.
Likely a quarter or less price then complete replacement.
03-22-19, 09:58 AM
#7
Pole Position
It might be an option to bring your car to a professional detail shop and see what it would take to bring them back to like new condition. They can sand the top completely off then with progressive grit paper bring it back to a brilliant clear lens.
If in in their pro opinion they can’t be fixed then that is that.
Likely a quarter or less price then complete replacement.
If in in their pro opinion they can’t be fixed then that is that.
Likely a quarter or less price then complete replacement.
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03-23-19, 03:13 AM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
With all of the data out there about plastic headlights, why do they still make them out of plastic?
they need to go back to glass!
the other item would be, go back to a timing chain or gears...enough with the timing belt...
they need to go back to glass!
the other item would be, go back to a timing chain or gears...enough with the timing belt...
03-23-19, 08:07 AM
#9
Lead Lap
Yeah, I agree. I never quite understood the changes to plastic (other than cost) and timing belts. The known problems of plastic remaining clear should have ruled them out, unless the OEMs decided that the limited lifetimes of plastic were acceptable. The same for belt, though even more so. When the belt fails on the SC430, so does the engine. At least with a timing chain, it typically will get looser but not out right fail.
03-25-19, 07:58 AM
#10
The transition to PC (Polycarbonate) headlight enclosures vs Glass, the impact specs for PC are much greater than Glass (our eyeglasses are made from PC. And they do not shatter vs Glass and finally weight is the key and cost as well. Glass forming is more money in mass production than Injection molding of the lenses.
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Harold57 (03-25-19)
03-25-19, 10:15 AM
#11
Lead Lap
I figured that you'd have a good explanation for us Mandyfig
03-25-19, 06:37 PM
#12
Pole Position
According to this months Rock Auto Trivia Question, it is John Delorean's fault
https://www.rockauto.com/Newsletter/
https://www.rockauto.com/Newsletter/
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Bgw70 (07-14-19)
07-12-19, 10:02 AM
#13
Replacement headlights for 2006 SC430
Hi all,
I need to change the headlights on my SC430. They have gotten so yellow and so foggy that they are past restoration at this point. I am located in Gold Coast, Australia, and a local parts shop has the headlights for quite a cheap price. However, they are for the 2006 model, which means that they are from the post facelift SC430 - my SC430 is the pre facelift model. I am wondering if the headlights will fit?
These are my current headlights: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...light-bulb.jpg
However, these are the headlights the shop has in stock: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...sT9eci1e2RznZw
Help will be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
I need to change the headlights on my SC430. They have gotten so yellow and so foggy that they are past restoration at this point. I am located in Gold Coast, Australia, and a local parts shop has the headlights for quite a cheap price. However, they are for the 2006 model, which means that they are from the post facelift SC430 - my SC430 is the pre facelift model. I am wondering if the headlights will fit?
These are my current headlights: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...light-bulb.jpg
However, these are the headlights the shop has in stock: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...sT9eci1e2RznZw
Help will be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
I am also looking for both headlights for my 2006 SC430. You posted that these are available in a shop close to you and in very reasonable price range. The link is below:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...sT9eci1e2RznZw
Can you please find out if these are still available. What is the condition? What is the price for each? And, how much will be the shipping to Houston, Texas.
Thank you.
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