johnnylt

Hello Everyone,
What is the easiest quickest way to change the puddle light bulbs underneath the folding mirrors on the doors? Ive read tutorials about pulling the mirror off but im afraid of breaking the tabs that connect it back on .
Thank you

VWTim

That really is the safest way to get to the bulb. Remove the mirror, 5 screws to separate the housing, and it pops right out. There are other ways, but you're tempting a broken tab on the actual painted mirror housing and light housing.

I did my passenger the other night in 5 minutes.

johnnylt

Thanks for the reply , do you pop the mirror out then take out the 5 screws? also what size bulb ? 168

VWTim

tilt the mirror all the way up, reach behind the glass and pull the bottom away from the housing. Once those tabs pop, you can lift the mirror up vertically and disengage the hook at the top. You'll disconnect 2 wire plugs on the back, then can set the mirror to the side.

There is 1 screw that holds the mirror adjuster in that is spring loaded, remove that, set the spring aside and pull that assy out. It'll click, but that's normal.

Then access the (4) perimeter screws around the housing.

It's either a 168/194. I changed to LED when I was in there, so not 100% positive on spec as those are usually interchangeable.

StanVanDam

I carefully pried the puddle light covers out with an old credit card. Just follow the steps detailed in the multiple other threads on this forum, memorize where the tabs are, and don't rush it - be patient. Bulb size was listed in one of those previous threads, I don't think it's in the owners manual but I think 168 is correct. Get the highest lumen downward-aiming LEDs you can find - there is no current-checking system for these puddle lights, so you won't see any lamp failure messages in the combination meter.

johnnylt

STanVAn Dam, what do you mean you pried the light covers out with a credit card? you didn't remove the mirror? were the covers easy to put back in ?
thanks

Romanova

Did you search? This has been beaten to death. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...nd-part-s.html post #5 has what you need.

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

Grab two spackle knives and carefully shimmy the housing out from underneath the mirror, worst case scenario you break something and you have to buy 1 or two mirrors hahaha.

Fojo

i broke one of my mirrors while trying to pry it out from the bottom. what you need to do face the mirror as far up as possible and look underneath about a-2 inches from either side on the bottom are the tabs. use a flathead to stick up to the tab and wtist it and it will gently pry them lose. then remove the 4 screws from behind the mirror on the housing. then you can separate the housing and take the lens out etc. when reinstalling put some silicone grease or something on the tabs and make sure you press on the outside of the mirror EXATLY where the tabs are when pushing in. again, otherwise you will crack it. once you do one, then the other will take 5 mins

** i wouldnt shimmy the housing out, that's asking to break somehting. I tried and chickened out. taking the mirror out is less invasive.

johnnylt