Trunk Release Button Cover Melting (includes DIY Replacement of Release Button Cover)
#62
In case you dont want to go through all of the trouble of taking it apart. I scraped all of the old rubber stuff off with a flathead and razor. Took a flat bicycle inner tube and cut it to size. Applied some rubber glue and placed it over the plastic. Its been great for the past year, and is easier to press than before. The original switch took a bit more pressure because the rubber was thicker. Got this idea from another member here.
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calbeeze (07-13-17)
#63
thanks for putting up a detailed DIY
if possible for the tread starter, edit your first post and put up a poll. How many has this issue?
Last edited by cloud777x; 06-16-16 at 09:28 AM.
#64
Great instructions but you left out KEY steps to successful repair
I followed your instructions and note you left out:
1. REMOVE license plate from trunk lid
2. When REINSTALLING the trunk lid panel, unscrew the 2 10mm nuts securing the backup camera (if installed-I think ALL GS450h have them) and move the camera INSIDE the trunk area until you carefully replace and click in the trunk lid panel. After that procedure, replace the backup camera. The camera makes it basically impossible to remove the panel. I would also suggest perhaps removing the backup camera BEFORE removing the trunk lid panel.
I contacted Lexus and let made them aware of my 'gripe' that virtually ALL of their models with these rubber disintegrating switches are failing and they should campaign or recall them but to no avail. I was offered the option of paying my Lexus dealer to diagnose it and then I could re-approach Lexus corporate. I chose to Amazon purchase the part and do it myself.
Thanks again for the great instructions but do add the suggested steps above please.
1. REMOVE license plate from trunk lid
2. When REINSTALLING the trunk lid panel, unscrew the 2 10mm nuts securing the backup camera (if installed-I think ALL GS450h have them) and move the camera INSIDE the trunk area until you carefully replace and click in the trunk lid panel. After that procedure, replace the backup camera. The camera makes it basically impossible to remove the panel. I would also suggest perhaps removing the backup camera BEFORE removing the trunk lid panel.
I contacted Lexus and let made them aware of my 'gripe' that virtually ALL of their models with these rubber disintegrating switches are failing and they should campaign or recall them but to no avail. I was offered the option of paying my Lexus dealer to diagnose it and then I could re-approach Lexus corporate. I chose to Amazon purchase the part and do it myself.
Thanks again for the great instructions but do add the suggested steps above please.
#65
Thank you CAK for the outstanding right up and directions. My 2010 GS350 had this issue as well and, as others have found, Lexus wasn't willing to replace it at no charge. The dealer quoted me $380 for the part and labor...unbelievable! Picked it up on eBay and installed it today. Thanks again!!
#66
2008 ES 350 Trunk button sticky
After doing some research on the rubber trunk button being sticky, I ran into this thread which showed me how to fix the problem. I won't go into detail like the others, but wanted to post some pics of how I replaced it by myself. It was very easy, but took some time, as not to break any clips or mess anything up. Hope the pictures help.
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Funkdawg (06-13-21)
#67
Mine was starting to melt too. Fixed it for 19 bucks, and the new part wont do it again. The video really helps, no need to disassemble the trunk lid any more.
Worst part was the sticky goo left behind by the old rubber.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BMMXOMU
http://www.ieworksmn.com/
..
Worst part was the sticky goo left behind by the old rubber.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BMMXOMU
http://www.ieworksmn.com/
..
The following 2 users liked this post by ServerTech:
aznxenon (04-21-17),
KevGS460ML (01-11-17)
#68
Thanks ServerTech, I ordered the part, and followed the instructions and got it replaced. The hardest part was removing the old rubber piece which had melted badly. It took me about 30 minutes to remove it with Guo-Be-Gone liquid. The removal, and installation of the switch itself was very quick. My switch looks brand new now...
The following users liked this post:
aznxenon (04-21-17)
#70
Shyam
The following users liked this post:
calbeeze (07-13-17)
#71
In case you dont want to go through all of the trouble of taking it apart. I scraped all of the old rubber stuff off with a flathead and razor. Took a flat bicycle inner tube and cut it to size. Applied some rubber glue and placed it over the plastic. Its been great for the past year, and is easier to press than before. The original switch took a bit more pressure because the rubber was thicker. Got this idea from another member here.
Shyam
#72
this would hardly qualify for good engineering (I'd know -- I'm an engineer!) ! The switch is $40 and it's a couple hours of labor to fix it right. The tutorial and all the tips are right here! Should Toyota have taken care of it? Sure, but OMG some of you need to quityer*****in. If this switch is the worst thing that goes wrong with your car (this is the ONLY thing that I've had to fix on my GS350) you should count yourself VERY lucky! It's a nice car -- fix it right!
Last edited by kennyray; 04-24-17 at 06:55 AM.
#73
How did you guys install the cover? I can't get the rubber pieces to slip around the edges
#74
read through the tutorial and look at all the pictures. In the end, the switch is accessed from the inside of the trunk. In that case the rubber stays with the switch so that you don't have to work anything around anything -- it just drops in and you install the fasteners.
#75
Man I been really searching on how to get to those license plate lights. This is the only thread that I can find that exposes that whole area visually. The screws to my plastic license plate light covers are stuck in there and impossible to get out. So I removed the trunk cover and tried to get to them thru back there and nothing. Do I really have to take all that stuff apart just to replace my license plate lights???? Please someone point me in the right direction. Thank you CL!