Notices
LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017) Discussion topics related to the current flagship models LS460, LS460L and LS600H

2013+ Dome Light Removal & Upgrade

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 05:38 PM
  #1  
Dr. Jekyll's Avatar
Dr. Jekyll
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 35
From: Hawaii
Default 2013+ Dome Light Removal & Upgrade

Okay so I believe many of us MC LS460 owners have been kinda stumped as to how to remove the dome light cover. Well it turns out its super easy! I just decided to be the brave one prying away at the cover. Here is a pictorial for anyone who was curious how to achieve it. Yes it is super tight and yes you should buy a special pry tool like I did. Once you do the LED upgrade is a piece of cake. Hopefully this thread helps unravel the mystery of what's underneath and how we access it.

Tools required:
Pry bar
New 194 LED bulbs

Time required:
15 mins.

Remove the outer lens with the pry bar at the located tabs / clips
Remover inner diffuser cover
Remove and replace incandescent 194 bulbs
Personal preference: Replace or leave out the inner diffuser (I left it out)
Replace outer lens cover
Admire work

Last edited by Dr. Jekyll; Apr 7, 2016 at 05:46 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 05:41 PM
  #2  
Dr. Jekyll's Avatar
Dr. Jekyll
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 35
From: Hawaii
Default




















Last edited by Dr. Jekyll; Apr 7, 2016 at 05:44 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 05:42 PM
  #3  
Dr. Jekyll's Avatar
Dr. Jekyll
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 35
From: Hawaii
Default










Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 06:00 PM
  #4  
Scrutator's Avatar
Scrutator
Intermediate
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 302
Likes: 28
From: Idaho
Default

But do they dim?
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 06:20 PM
  #5  
Dr. Jekyll's Avatar
Dr. Jekyll
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 35
From: Hawaii
Default

Originally Posted by Scrutator
But do they dim?
LEDs can't dim like a regular halogen bulb so what they do is pulse as the voltage drops. Some may say they flicker but mine never lose power so it's lit all the time until it goes out.

So does it dim? Yes. Does it do so very smoothly? No.

Last edited by Dr. Jekyll; Apr 7, 2016 at 06:26 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2016 | 09:40 AM
  #6  
GR6RR's Avatar
GR6RR
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 453
Likes: 8
From: CA
Default

awesome stuff! Great visual for people who want to do it. I used a smooth butter knife myself. Also, if you can't pull the original bulbs out with your fingers.... use a piece of tape, wrap the bulb and pull... makes it so much easier. I used blue painters tape. Or you can use any regular tape.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2016 | 02:41 PM
  #7  
Dr. Jekyll's Avatar
Dr. Jekyll
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 35
From: Hawaii
Default

Good tip on the bulbs. The oil on our fingertips makes it difficult to pull these bulbs at times.

I know it seems like an elementary post but I know many have struggled with removing the cover without breaking any tabs or scratching the lens or surrounding frame. I also figured out that up front it's a pair of 194 bulbs and the rear dome consists of a 30mm festoon. Both sets of LED spot lights are of a proprietary design. I couldn't find this information before pulling it apart myself.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2016 | 08:24 PM
  #8  
comotiger's Avatar
comotiger
Pole Position
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 300
From: Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by Dr. Jekyll
Good tip on the bulbs. The oil on our fingertips makes it difficult to pull these bulbs at times.

I know it seems like an elementary post but I know many have struggled with removing the cover without breaking any tabs or scratching the lens or surrounding frame. I also figured out that up front it's a pair of 194 bulbs and the rear dome consists of a 30mm festoon. Both sets of LED spot lights are of a proprietary design. I couldn't find this information before pulling it apart myself.
Thanks, Dr. J! Great photos that are self-explanatory. It looks like these instructions should also work for changing bulbs in a 2014 LS. The dome light panel is almost identical except for the SOS button.
2013+ Dome Light Removal & Upgrade-img_0901.jpg


Can you please post similar photos for the rear dome light? This is what the 2014 dome light looks like.
2013+ Dome Light Removal & Upgrade-img_0902.jpg
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2016 | 06:21 AM
  #9  
R Z's Avatar
R Z
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 348
From: Tennessee
Default

Nicely done! The difference is astounding. Bet that bright white makes the cabin much lighter. I've been changing out flashlights around the house with the led bulbs or just buying new ones from China. It's impressive to see what a 1000 lumen flashlight can do.

Great job there Doc.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2016 | 09:56 AM
  #10  
GR6RR's Avatar
GR6RR
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 453
Likes: 8
From: CA
Default

rear similar to the fronts. it has four snap locations. slide your pry tool, or a masking tape wrapped butter knife, and pry it out.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2016 | 10:59 AM
  #11  
Dr. Jekyll's Avatar
Dr. Jekyll
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 35
From: Hawaii
Default

Originally Posted by GR6RR
rear similar to the fronts. it has four snap locations. slide your pry tool, or a masking tape wrapped butter knife, and pry it out.
Yup the rear is very similar except it takes a 31mm festoon lamp.

The cover is also extremely easy to remove. Just a light push on the prybar and you're good to go. I'll post up pics in a couple days after my new LED gets in.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2016 | 05:58 PM
  #12  
SW17LS's Avatar
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
Active Streak: 60 Days
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,073
Likes: 3,869
From: Maryland
Default

FYI the dome light on my 2015 is LED from the factory. Interesting.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2016 | 06:07 PM
  #13  
Dr. Jekyll's Avatar
Dr. Jekyll
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 35
From: Hawaii
Default

Originally Posted by SW15LS
FYI the dome light on my 2015 is LED from the factory. Interesting.
Yes and oddly enough the 2013 launch stated that ALL the lights except for the HID headlights were converted to LEDs.

Are the (2) 194 bulbs in the trunk incandescent or LED for you?
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2016 | 06:15 PM
  #14  
SW17LS's Avatar
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
Active Streak: 60 Days
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,073
Likes: 3,869
From: Maryland
Default

They're incandescent I think. I'll check.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2016 | 07:33 PM
  #15  
Dr. Jekyll's Avatar
Dr. Jekyll
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 35
From: Hawaii
Default

Originally Posted by SW15LS
They're incandescent I think. I'll check.
Cool, and what bulb types does the 2015 take?
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:37 AM.