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2000 Lexus ES300 - needs new driver-side headlight - please help
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#21
 
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Re: 2000 Lexus ES300 - needs new driver-side headlight - please help -
08-17-2009
, 11:06 PM
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Thanks!!! This is really good information. I'm learning so much. I was thinking about replacing both lamps. The good explanation confirms it. Really appreciate all the guidance EVERYONE ... "Jeff Strickland" <crwlrjeff (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in message news:h6bv6n$as4$1 (AT) news (DOT) eternal-september.org... Your car takes one of several different types of standard bulbs. Lift the hood, unscrew the lamp from the headlight assembly, buy a new lamp and screw it in. There is a connector that has to be unplugged and plugged back in, but otherwise this is a job that can be done by pretty much anybody. The automaker works very hard to make this a job that can be done at home and not require the services of yoru local garage. The lamps ought to be replaced in pairs, one for each side of the car -- save the lamp that still works for an emergency spare to be used at a later date. Lamps are numbered, 9006, 9007, and others. Once you determine the model number, there are various qualities of light that are available from standard to ultra bright. (Part of the reason to replace in pairs is so that both sides of the car produce the same quality of light.) You are required to use the same number, 9006, 9007, and so on, but you can select from any of the light spectrums (light qualities) that you think you prefer. Logic would suggest that you want the brightest/whitest possible option. Lamps are available at the autoparts department of such places as Target and WalMart, as well as at auto parts stores. If yo are not comfortable replacing the light youself, yoiu might have a neighbor or friend that can handle the task with ease, or you might consider asking WalMart to install them. "Anna" <anna (AT) no_thanks (DOT) com> wrote in message news:h6bdmb$n83$1 (AT) news (DOT) eternal-september.org... What's the most economical way to replace with quality/factory parts? Mechanic wants to charge ~$90 ($20 for the part) for the job. |
#22
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Thanks!!! This is really good information. I'm learning so much. I was thinking about replacing both lamps. The good explanation confirms it. |
my preference is for replacing the dead one and carrying having a
spare to replace the other when it dies. I've seen more than one
person online bemoaning that they replaced both (usually with a
variety that was bright but shorter life) and they were so evenly
matched that when one burned out, the other promptly did so as well.
I'd rather have a little more inconvenience but less risk of losing
them both, the thought of losing both on a backwoods Wisconsin road at
midnight is a little unsettling. Besides, I'm frugal, and if it ain't
burned out, I'm not going to replace it.
If you mostly drive in lit areas, it wouldn't make much difference.
As someone else said, it's important with halogens not to get
fingerprints on the glass, it's not hard but you have to remember.
Dave
#23
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Anna wrote: Thanks!!! This is really good information. I'm learning so much. I was thinking about replacing both lamps. The good explanation confirms it. It's a good idea, but... my preference is for replacing the dead one and carrying having a spare to replace the other when it dies. I've seen more than one person online bemoaning that they replaced both (usually with a variety that was bright but shorter life) and they were so evenly matched that when one burned out, the other promptly did so as well. I'd rather have a little more inconvenience but less risk of losing them both, the thought of losing both on a backwoods Wisconsin road at midnight is a little unsettling. Besides, I'm frugal, and if it ain't burned out, I'm not going to replace it. If you mostly drive in lit areas, it wouldn't make much difference. As someone else said, it's important with halogens not to get fingerprints on the glass, it's not hard but you have to remember. Dave |
There is no correlation to two new bulbs affecting each other. Indeed, there
is no correlation to the new bulb affecting the old one. The only
correlation is that if one old bulb has burned out, the other old bulb is
not far behind.
Headlamps should be replaced in pairs, one on each side of the car.
#24
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Anna wrote: Thanks!!! This is really good information. I'm learning so much. I was thinking about replacing both lamps. The good explanation confirms it. It's a good idea, but... my preference is for replacing the dead one and carrying having a spare to replace the other when it dies. I've seen more than one person online bemoaning that they replaced both (usually with a variety that was bright but shorter life) and they were so evenly matched that when one burned out, the other promptly did so as well. I'd rather have a little more inconvenience but less risk of losing them both, the thought of losing both on a backwoods Wisconsin road at midnight is a little unsettling. |
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Besides, I'm frugal, and if it ain't burned out, I'm not going to replace it. |
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If you mostly drive in lit areas, it wouldn't make much difference. |
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As someone else said, it's important with halogens not to get fingerprints on the glass, it's not hard but you have to remember. |
#25
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This is really an easy job. ONE RULE Do NOT touch the glass of the new bulb with your fingers. These bulbs get very hot as a normal function of their operation. The oils on your fingers will make a hot spot on the glass that will cause it to explode. If you happen to touch the glass, you _must_ clean it with alcohol and a catton wipe (the type you use to remove makeup works well, a tissue works too, but the cotton is better) before you install it. The bulb has a connector on the back, the shape of the connector is part of what designates the bulb as 9004, 9006, and so on. The bulb is held in place inside the lamp assembly by a spring clip or by a nut that you simply twist counterclockwise to remove. It should turn about 1/3 of a turn. You would do well to actually buy the new bulbs first, but you could remove the defective bulb and carry it to the store and match it up. I would not hesitate to recommend the Silver Star (Sylvania, I think) or the Silver Star Ultra. I'd encourage you to resist the temptation for the blue bulbs that the "ricers" like to use. Having said that, I've not actually sat behind blue lights, they might work very well, but I think they look hokey when they are coming at me. All of these options are available as a 9004, 9006, and so on. "Anna" <anna (AT) no_thanks (DOT) com> wrote in message news:h6d54j$48a$1 (AT) news (DOT) eternal-september.org... Thanks!!! This is really good information. I'm learning so much. I was thinking about replacing both lamps. The good explanation confirms it. Really appreciate all the guidance EVERYONE ... "Jeff Strickland" <crwlrjeff (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in message news:h6bv6n$as4$1 (AT) news (DOT) eternal-september.org... Your car takes one of several different types of standard bulbs. Lift the hood, unscrew the lamp from the headlight assembly, buy a new lamp and screw it in. There is a connector that has to be unplugged and plugged back in, but otherwise this is a job that can be done by pretty much anybody. The automaker works very hard to make this a job that can be done at home and not require the services of yoru local garage. The lamps ought to be replaced in pairs, one for each side of the car -- save the lamp that still works for an emergency spare to be used at a later date. Lamps are numbered, 9006, 9007, and others. Once you determine the model number, there are various qualities of light that are available from standard to ultra bright. (Part of the reason to replace in pairs is so that both sides of the car produce the same quality of light.) You are required to use the same number, 9006, 9007, and so on, but you can select from any of the light spectrums (light qualities) that you think you prefer. Logic would suggest that you want the brightest/whitest possible option. Lamps are available at the autoparts department of such places as Target and WalMart, as well as at auto parts stores. If yo are not comfortable replacing the light youself, yoiu might have a neighbor or friend that can handle the task with ease, or you might consider asking WalMart to install them. "Anna" <anna (AT) no_thanks (DOT) com> wrote in message news:h6bdmb$n83$1 (AT) news (DOT) eternal-september.org... What's the most economical way to replace with quality/factory parts? Mechanic wants to charge ~$90 ($20 for the part) for the job. |
#26
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There is no correlation to two new bulbs affecting each other. Indeed, there is no correlation to the new bulb affecting the old one. |
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The only correlation is that if one old bulb has burned out, the other old bulb is not far behind. |
in the worst-case event, that both bulbs last _exactly_ their rated
life, they both burn out at the same time. I agree, it doesn't seem
probable. But I have seen people describing situations where both
went out within a few hours of each other.
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Headlamps should be replaced in pairs, one on each side of the car. |
I'm currently running with one higher-output bulb (put in three months
ago) and one standard bulb (put in who knows when.. before I bought
the car two years ago). I assure you, it works just fine, although it
may offend your sense of symmetry.
Dave
#27
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"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS> wrote in message news  an.2009.08.17.22.43.51.618678 (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS...On Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:13:18 -0700, Jeff Strickland wrote: "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS> wrote in message news an.2009.08.17.21.45.46.953199 (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS...On Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:57:35 -0700, Jeff Strickland wrote: "Dave Garland" <dave.garland (AT) wizinfo (DOT) com> wrote in message news:cJednVLaXu5LcBTXnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) visi... Jeff Strickland wrote: Your car takes a model <whatever> (typically expressed as 9004, 9006, 9007, H1, H7, or others) that is widely available at the autoparts store on the corner by your house. You can also find the same thing at WalMart and Target. Once you identify the number, there are vairious selections of it that define the brightness of the light that comes out. Bright = higher cost, as a general rule. Brighter also typically means it doesn't last as long (for the bulb types that do have a range of brightnesses available). It's a tradeoff, whether you want more light or longer life. Dave I've had SilverStar bulbs on my BMW for 4+ years. I'd do it again. They have SilverStar Ultra now, I'd probably do them when these break. DAMN! Now I know who has the MONEY in this group! The lights or the car gave me away? The headlight bulb! $19-24 a pop for bulbs?!?!? They must be pretty freakin' good... My car takes 4 ... |
They used to be illegal, but we knew where to get them.
$80 for headlights?
#28
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"Hachiroku ハチ*ク" <Trueno (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS> wrote in message news an.2009.08.17.15.48.23.103639 (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS...On Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:30:17 -0700, Jeff Strickland wrote: "Scott in Florida" <MoveOn (AT) outa (DOT) here> wrote in message news:mb1j855v5cc41uvg5i05u3so2p549gg9to (AT) 4ax (DOT) com... Hachi, all she needs is the bulb, not the entire lamp assembly. I'll bet she could do the replacement herself. The gal at the auto parts store near my house, showed me how to do it. -- I'm certain she could do it by herself, UNLESS there was some physical obstruction that required some level of skills to remove and reinstall. Having said that, my experience is that they try to not put stuff in the way of the headlamp removal and installation path. Sometimes they place the battery in the way, usually on the dirver's side on Toyotas... Yes, that's my case. The battery is slightly in the way. |
You may be able to sneak around it OK. I know on one of my Yotas, I had to
move it out of the way, but on the other I was able to get it in and out,
but not too easily.
I love Toyotas, but I'd like to go to Japan once in a while and punch an
engineer in the nose. Like, you're supposed to change the oil when the
engine is warm, but WHO PUTS AN OIL FILTER RIGHT UNDER THE EXHAUST HEADER?!?!?!
OUCH!!!!!!!!!
#29
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"Dave Garland" <dave.garland (AT) wizinfo (DOT) com> wrote in message news:cJednVLaXu5LcBTXnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) visi... Jeff Strickland wrote: Your car takes a model <whatever> (typically expressed as 9004, 9006, 9007, H1, H7, or others) that is widely available at the autoparts store on the corner by your house. You can also find the same thing at WalMart and Target. Once you identify the number, there are vairious selections of it that define the brightness of the light that comes out. Bright = higher cost, as a general rule. Brighter also typically means it doesn't last as long (for the bulb types that do have a range of brightnesses available). It's a tradeoff, whether you want more light or longer life. Dave I've had SilverStar bulbs on my BMW for 4+ years. I'd do it again. They have SilverStar Ultra now, I'd probably do them when these break. |
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide
2000 LEXUS ES300 (With halogen capsule headlamps)
Low beam headlamp
H7
H7SU Silverstar ULTRA for Ultra Night Vision - The Whitest and Brightest Halogen
H7ST Silverstar High Performance Lighting: The Whiter and Brighter Halogen
H7EB EcoBright - Your Environmental Choice
H7XV XtraVision Halogen - The Brighter Light
H7CB Cool Blue Halogen - The Whiter Light
The SilverStar Ultra H7 SU costs ~$20-$40 for twin pack on Amazon,
which is not bad. Does this sound right?
#30
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"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS> wrote in message news an.2009.08.18.22.30.13.613881 (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS...On Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:54:39 -0700, Jeff Strickland wrote: "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS> wrote in message news an.2009.08.17.22.43.51.618678 (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS...On Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:13:18 -0700, Jeff Strickland wrote: "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS> wrote in message news an.2009.08.17.21.45.46.953199 (AT) e86 (DOT) GTS...On Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:57:35 -0700, Jeff Strickland wrote: "Dave Garland" <dave.garland (AT) wizinfo (DOT) com> wrote in message news:cJednVLaXu5LcBTXnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d (AT) posted (DOT) visi... Jeff Strickland wrote: Your car takes a model <whatever> (typically expressed as 9004, 9006, 9007, H1, H7, or others) that is widely available at the autoparts store on the corner by your house. You can also find the same thing at WalMart and Target. Once you identify the number, there are vairious selections of it that define the brightness of the light that comes out. Bright = higher cost, as a general rule. Brighter also typically means it doesn't last as long (for the bulb types that do have a range of brightnesses available). It's a tradeoff, whether you want more light or longer life. Dave I've had SilverStar bulbs on my BMW for 4+ years. I'd do it again. They have SilverStar Ultra now, I'd probably do them when these break. DAMN! Now I know who has the MONEY in this group! The lights or the car gave me away? The headlight bulb! $19-24 a pop for bulbs?!?!? They must be pretty freakin' good... My car takes 4 ... You got the round 3-piece lights? They used to be illegal, but we knew where to get them. $80 for headlights? ??? I have the 5 1/4 inch round lamps, two low beam and two high beam. That's four bulbs, closer to $25 ea. when I bought them. I think the price has come down a few dollars since the Ultras came out. |
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