SSK0771

About a month ago, I changed my Fog Lights to 100w Mtec Gold color bulbs and it was a real pain in the ***.

After it was done, I did not like the color of the bulb but I did not have the strength to change it to a different one.

On the left side, because of the water holder for windshield wiper, its really hard to see which way the bulb goes in.

Now I am planning to change the bulb to 100w Mtech 4300K.


Does anyone know a easier way to install the Fog light bulbs?

Thanks

Skulinex

before changing to those bulbs, are they rated AT 100W or are they 55w with light output of a 100w bulb? if you use a 100w rated, it will burn your wire harness <and even possibly the housing> and trust me that harness isn't cheap.. If you upgraded your wiring, then it's all good

SSK0771

I had the same concern but my current foglight which is also 100w ( Mtec Ion Gold 100w). I had them for just over a month and no issues yet.

My brother has 2002 TL-S which was my previous car. It had 100w Mtec fog light also and its been over 1 1/2 years. It still works fine.

On brother TL, when I had it, I had blown probably 4 fog lights but the reasons were, they were cheap kind. They only last2-3 weeks and blows out. Since I used 100w Mtech in both Fog light & high beem, I haven't had a issue.

I am actually counting on that. Mtech is a very good if not one of the top quality light bulbs.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i would like to see an easier way to change the fogs and such too, but i don't know of any yet

regardless, don't put 100w bulb.... no problems now doesn't mean it's ok..... one day if the wiring harness is melted, you will regret

antigeek

I just took my second shot at installing them myself yesterday and failed.
There has to be a way to get into the housing that doesn't involve blindly fidgeting then wondering if it's in there correctly.
My experience has always been that if it's too tough, you just don't know the trick yet.
I asked the dealer about it last week, but I didn't get enough detail. I plan to go back and seek more information, which of course will be shared here.

I use PIAA H3 Ion Crystal bulbs, which I like a lot -- they're yellow, which is what a fog light is supposed to be, IMNSHO. They're 55W, and lasted for about 3 years. They claim to be "55w = 85w", which I think is a statement of output equivalent.

http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs-H3.html
http://www.autosupermart.com/store/s...at=Ion%20Bulbs

rominl

iTrader: (4)

hopefully soon i should be bringing my car for service, and i will ask my tech how to do it and whether there is a better trick

SSK0771

I finally got my fog lights installed today.

I took less time than I expected. When I first installed the fog lights, it took me about 3 hours.

Today , it took me about 1 hour. I was lot easier than the first time.

antigeek

Well?!
Care to fill us in on how to get (in)to them?
I can reach them and get the rubber cover off, but the bulb is inside the casing.

BTW, which bulbs did you use?

SSK0771

Its kinda hard to explaine but you have to bend the wheel well plastic so you can stick your head in to see how the bulb is fitting. Also, I hope you have small hands.

Bebber

One of my fog lights and the white side marker light in the headlight burned out on my car so I had to change them today. It took me nearly 3 hours to remove the front bumper and two headlights and change the pair of fog lights and side marker lights.

I'm amazed that Lexus would make a car that has bulbs that are so hard to change. Well, I guess it'll be easier for me the next time around now that I kinda know what I'm doing.

Someone tell me there's an easier way to change these bulbs???

rominl

iTrader: (4)

as far as i know, nop.... it's a royal pain in the rear changing bulbs on this car

Radical350

As we do these mods or difficult replacements... It is so helpful to take pictures and offer some suggestions to fellow CL members. I would love to see pictures of the above mentioned tasks being performed. Anyone? Anyone?

hipendicul

Two things.. first off, the Piaa Ion Crystal shines yellow on the ground but almost looks stock when viewed from in front of the car. I have an extra bulb laying around and just tried it to see.. very very disappointed.

Second, I know what your saying about it being hard. The driver's side fog light is indeed blocked by the windshield washer reservoir and you can not actually see inside the foglight itself to position the H3 bulb and that damn clip. I did mine by trial and error. It took three tries and about 2 hours to switch both bulbs. The passenger side was pretty much a no-brainer..

Here's what I'm thinking. There is no way Toyota or Lexus would think this is an acceptable way to replace the bulbs. No one is going to pay 2-3 hours of work to replace a bulb. My friends GS300 fogs just come straight out with two bolts. I just haven't had time to look into it more but I'm guessing that the whole fog light comes out.. But I keep hoping more that someone here finds a better way. Not looking forward to replacing my fog light bulbs again..

rominl

iTrader: (4)

unfortunately, fact is i talked to a lexus tech and he told me it's no fun changing bulbs on this car