Can you replace 04-06 Led Tail lights with 01-03 lights?
03-19-21, 01:42 PM
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Can you replace 04-06 Led Tail lights with 01-03 lights?
I just bought a 2004 Ls430 and all the tail lights are out except a few of the bottom brake lights on the passenger side corner. As far as I know, the lights are all led except the turn signals and you would have to buy the whole tail light assembly to fix it. I would not like to buy the tail light assembly for them to just burn out again (and it is very expensive). I have read on here that the tail lights on the trunk are different than ones that are on an 01 - 03. I was wondering if at least the ones on the corners would work even though they take more power than the LEDs. If not, then is there a cheaper alternative to fixing these? Please let me know if I am wrong.
03-19-21, 05:23 PM
#2
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Unfortunately it is not possible to replace 04-06 Led Tail lights with 01-03 lights. The circuit which drives LEDs can't handle the increased current. This is not for everyone but I'd simply fix the original LED tail lights cutting the plastic housing and replace failed LEDs. This requires some technical skills though.
03-21-21, 11:30 AM
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03-21-21, 01:11 PM
#6
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The 01-03 tail lights are different physically then the 04+ facelift cars. Not just the incandescent/led difference. They will not fit unless you replace at least the trunk lid, if not more.
03-21-21, 02:13 PM
#7
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I just bought a 2004 Ls430 and all the tail lights are out except a few of the bottom brake lights on the passenger side corner. As far as I know, the lights are all led except the turn signals and you would have to buy the whole tail light assembly to fix it. I would not like to buy the tail light assembly for them to just burn out again (and it is very expensive). I have read on here that the tail lights on the trunk are different than ones that are on an 01 - 03. I was wondering if at least the ones on the corners would work even though they take more power than the LEDs. If not, then is there a cheaper alternative to fixing these? Please let me know if I am wrong.
Unfortunately it is not possible to replace 04-06 Led Tail lights with 01-03 lights. The circuit which drives LEDs can't handle the increased current. This is not for everyone but I'd simply fix the original LED tail lights cutting the plastic housing and replace failed LEDs. This requires some technical skills though.
Last edited by 430SLOwner; 03-21-21 at 02:17 PM.
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03-22-21, 02:55 AM
#8
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The 01-03 and 04-06 taillights are quite different shapes, so 01-03 lights simply will not fit your 2004.
The 04-06 taillights do seem to be rare and quite expensive on eBay. I only found one set for $615 in the US.
The first thing I would do would be to disconnect each clusters connectors and give the contacts a good clean.
LEDs are quite sensitive to dirty contacts as they don't draw enough current to heat-clean the contacts like regular bulbs do.
Get the contacts nice and clean (any contact cleaner will do), then spray them with a contact cleaner that coats them with a film.
I use Servisol Super 10 but Deoxit D5 is also good.
The 04-06 taillights do seem to be rare and quite expensive on eBay. I only found one set for $615 in the US.
The first thing I would do would be to disconnect each clusters connectors and give the contacts a good clean.
LEDs are quite sensitive to dirty contacts as they don't draw enough current to heat-clean the contacts like regular bulbs do.
Get the contacts nice and clean (any contact cleaner will do), then spray them with a contact cleaner that coats them with a film.
I use Servisol Super 10 but Deoxit D5 is also good.
03-22-21, 02:09 PM
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The 01-03 and 04-06 taillights are quite different shapes, so 01-03 lights simply will not fit your 2004.
The 04-06 taillights do seem to be rare and quite expensive on eBay. I only found one set for $615 in the US.
The first thing I would do would be to disconnect each clusters connectors and give the contacts a good clean.
LEDs are quite sensitive to dirty contacts as they don't draw enough current to heat-clean the contacts like regular bulbs do.
Get the contacts nice and clean (any contact cleaner will do), then spray them with a contact cleaner that coats them with a film.
I use Servisol Super 10 but Deoxit D5 is also good.
The 04-06 taillights do seem to be rare and quite expensive on eBay. I only found one set for $615 in the US.
The first thing I would do would be to disconnect each clusters connectors and give the contacts a good clean.
LEDs are quite sensitive to dirty contacts as they don't draw enough current to heat-clean the contacts like regular bulbs do.
Get the contacts nice and clean (any contact cleaner will do), then spray them with a contact cleaner that coats them with a film.
I use Servisol Super 10 but Deoxit D5 is also good.
03-22-21, 02:17 PM
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Unfortunately it is not possible to replace 04-06 Led Tail lights with 01-03 lights. The circuit which drives LEDs can't handle the increased current. This is not for everyone but I'd simply fix the original LED tail lights cutting the plastic housing and replace failed LEDs. This requires some technical skills though.
Do you know where I should cut the housing? Or should I take the front part off to access the LEDs?
03-22-21, 06:09 PM
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