Attention! Gas in discharge lamps is under pressure. Therefore, if the lamp is dropped or scratched on the glass surface, it may break. Wear eye protection when handling lamps. If possible, hold the lamp only by the base. Do not touch the surface of the lamp with your fingers without first wearing gloves, because the oil present on the skin can cause the lamp to overheat and fail prematurely. If you do touch the surface of the lamp, wipe it with alcohol.
1. Disconnect the wire «masses» from battery (see paragraph 1 of chapter 5).
2. Turn out the top bolts of fastening of a headlight (pic. 16.2).
Pic. 16.2. To detach the upper section of the headlamp housing from the upper radiator cross member, remove the two bolts (Toyota model shown, similar for Lexus)
3. Remove grille and bumper trim (see chapter 11).
4. On 1999-2003 Lexus models. Loosen the two headlight housing mounting nuts on the outer edge of the headlight housing. On 2004 and later Lexus models, remove the headlight housing mounting bolt located on the outer bottom corner of the housing.
5. On Lexus models, release the dowel pin on the upper support bracket. To do this, simply pull the support bracket straight up.
6. Release the two clamps on the headlamp housing located on the underside of the housing (pic. 16.6), and pull out the housing just enough to access the electrical connectors on the underside of the headlight assembly.
Pic. 16.6. To release the two latches on the blood headlight housing, grasp the headlight and gently pull it outward (Toyota model shown, similar for Lexus)
7. Disconnect the electrical connectors on the headlight housing (pic. 16.7, a). There are two electrical connectors for the headlight (pic. 15.2) and a third connector for turn/parking lights and position lights (pic. 16.7, b).
Pic. 16.7, a. Pull out the headlamp housing and disconnect the electrical connectors for the headlights and turn signal/parking lights. After installing the headlight housing, adjust the headlights using the vertical adjuster (A) (see paragraph 17)
Pic. 16.7, b. To disconnect the electrical connector for the front turn signal/parking light and marker edge, press the locking tab and disconnect the connector
8. If the headlight housing itself is damaged, you will need to replace it. But if the damage is just a broken headlight housing support bracket, Lexus and Toyota sell headlamp housing support bracket repair kits.
9. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal.
10. Finally, check the headlight adjustment (see paragraph 17).