sford52

Hello, I'm trying to replace the drivers side tail light on a 2011 ES 350. I have searched this forum specifically and google in general. The replacement bulb that comes up is a 7443, but that bulb is larger than the one I have and doesn't look the same.

I'm using http://www.lexomans.com/manguide-560.html page, and looking at the second image for Rear bulb locations. The bulb in question is the tail light (on the trunk). Scrolling further down the page is an image showing the 2 bulbs on the trunk - the tail light and the backup light.

The tail light bulb I have is 7/8 inch long in total with the base being 1/4 inch long and the bulb being 5/8 long.
The bulb diameter is 3/8 inch.

The bulb has the following lettering: KOITO 12V5W W5W E4 2 AR

Looking up "12V W5W" online, I come to an Amazon page which shows the bulb but says it doesn't fit a 2011 ES 350.
The iamge for the KOITO 12V5W W5W "https://www.hella.co.nz/slir/w-h500-q80/963/" looks exactly like my bulb.

jagtoes

What is the number of the bulb called out in the owners manual.

sford52

The owners manual doesn't list any number for any of the bulbs. My specific harness assembly is shown in diagram 3 on page 428
The error message "Taillight failure" is described on page 462 but only says to have defective bulbs replaced by the dealer. I am under the impression that will be a bit spendy
ahh, on page 501 it says tail light is a 7443 5watt wedge base bulb.
Well, I suppose it would be best to just go ahead and buy one at Autozone and try it.

mkubo

This 7443 on Amazon fits your car

sford52

I had seen that, both on Amazon and in the auto store, and understand that it is the part called out in the manual and other references.
The issue that I have is that it looks nothing like the bulb that is currently in the car.
When I brought the existing bulb into Autozone today and showed it to the worker there, we compared it to the 7443 they had on the shelf.
The 7443 is larger and has 2 sets of filaments rising parallel from the base.
The bulb in my car has 3 filaments rising like an inverted tripod from the base.
The physical size of my current bulb is the same as the base itself, whereas the 7443 on amazon has a much larger bulb size than it's wedge base.
It was these discrepancies which led me to post my question on the forum.

However, I have ordered the bulb (referenced above) from Amazon and it should be here by Saturday.
Thanks everyone for your help.

mkubo

The KOITO part is probably the Japanese supplied part while the 7443 part number in the manual is the American equivalent. Hopefully the one you get from Amazon will fit, but perhaps a trip or call to Toyota/Lexus can confirm for you right away... well, after Thanksgiving, that is.

sford52

Here is a partial resolution to this thread. I'm posting this in case someone else might have a similar question.

1. The car is a 2011 Lexus ES 350. The drivers side tail light is the bulb that failed last week.
It is one of two lights mounted on the left side fixture on the trunk, NOT the three light fixture mounted on the body. In my case, it is to the left of the back-up light
I bought the car on 7/1/2012

2. Here (hopefully) is an image of the bulbs in question



3a The bulb on the left is a Phillips 7443 LLB2. It's wedge is too wide to fit into the tail light receptacle
TotalHeight: 1 5/8", WedgeHeight: 1/2", WedgeWidth: 11/16", BulbDiameter: 13/16"

3b The center bulb is the one that had been in the car and failed.
It's markings read: KOITO 12V5W W5W E4 2 AR
TotalHeight: 7/8", WedgeHeight: 3/16", WedgeWidth: 3/8", BulbDiameter: 3/8"

3c The bulb on the right is a Phillips W5W 12V. It has been installed and is working.
TotalHeight: 15/16", WedgeHeight: 3/16", WedgeWidth: 3/8", BulbDiameter: 3/8"

4. This is a "partial resolution" because the guides (online and Lexus manual) seem to indicate the 7443 is the
correct bulb for the tail light. Obviously, for my car, it isn't.
There is no question the bulb is the drivers side tail light on the trunk lid.




I dont know why my car doesn't seem to match the indicated documentation, perhaps:
a) I have misread the documentation
b) My car was modified on purpose for this different bulb type
c) My car was in an undisclosed accident before I bought it and was repaired haphazardly
d) Magic

Perhaps someone can someday offer an answer to this problem. In the meantime, my new light is installed and working
and life goes on

ellocovg

iTrader: (1)

es350chuck

THanson

I just came across the same problem and other than your posts, there is no good information. So I went to O'Reilly Auto parts by my home and the gentleman said that the Sylvania 168 bulbs would work for the inner tail light. I put one in and so far it seems to work just fine. The 7443 bulbs appear to be for the outer tail lights but nothing in the manual talks about the five watt bulbs. I am attaching a picture of the Sylvania 168 bulbs which are 4.9 Watts. Hopefully this helps others who come across the same problem.

DMays3346

Thanks man!! This helped me out!!!!

mrsteve7

2011 ES 350
I too have the smaller "168" type lamp for the inner tail (trunk) and not the 7443.
This post saved me from ordering the wrong lamp by having a look at what I actually have installed to the car - thank you!

And this car has never been in an accident, hence there's no way an aftermarket replacement was installed to the car. It's clear to me at some point Lexus changed the configuration in manufacture.

Carcotre123

the 7443 is what everyone says it is, it’s way to big for my Lexus

tanstaafl

Well, I bought the Sylvania longlife 168 bulb 2-pack to replace a tail light (on trunk) in my 2012 ES350. The bulb fits and works fine but the "tail light failure" message on my dash does not go away. It is very annoying. All the other lights back there are working fine.

tanstaafl

2ND UPDATE. The stuff I wrote earlier is WRONG! The "taillight failure" dash message came back. I have tried all 3 of the same size bulbs now: 168, 2825, and 194. I get the "taillight failure" message with all 3 of them. All of the bulbs are working back there. This is really annoying.
--------------------------------------------------------
Original message (which is WRONG!):

Here's an update, in case this helps someone. I got "tail light failure" message on the dash for the tail light in the trunk (next to the reverse light) in my 2012 ES350. I replaced the bulb with #168. The bulb fit perfectly, the tail light worked but the "tail light failure" message on the dash did not go away--very annoying.

Doing some research, I discovered that bulb 2825 is the same size and fit as 168 but it has slighlty different voltage and wattage compare to 168. So I bought some online: "Sylvania Longlife 2825" (2 bulbs for $4.49) and put one in. The light works and the tail light failure message is gone!!!!!

Hope this helps someone....