Headlight Change Avensis 2004

[AvensiSpain04]

So I bought some European headlights for my UK Avensis in preparation for registering it and having a foreign "MOT" done, got them out of the box, popped the bonnet and proceeded to be completely baffled by what appears to be an incredible feat of frustrating engineering.

Unless I am mistaken and doing something a little silly, I can't get the old ones out, let alone the new ones in, without removing the entire front bumper assembly. Which is one piece. :censor:

It looks like if I even wanted to change the bulb I'd have to have dainty 5year old hands that don't mind a few scratches for the cause.

Has anyone else had to change them before? Just incase it is just me missing something.

[t-spiritpete]

So I bought some European headlights for my UK Avensis in preparation for registering it and having a foreign "MOT" done, got them out of the box, popped the bonnet and proceeded to be completely baffled by what appears to be an incredible feat of frustrating engineering.

Unless I am mistaken and doing something a little silly, I can't get the old ones out, let alone the new ones in, without removing the entire front bumper assembly. Which is one piece. :censor:

It looks like if I even wanted to change the bulb I'd have to have dainty 5year old hands that don't mind a few scratches for the cause.

Has anyone else had to change them before? Just incase it is just me missing something.

Hello mate, yes this seems to be a difficult job, i have attached a .pdf of the lighting system and another which covers the part which says refer to 76-3 as a picture file, I hope this helps you but it seems the bumper needs to come off.

Good luck ... Pete.

LIGHTING.pdf

[AvensiSpain04]

So I bought some European headlights for my UK Avensis in preparation for registering it and having a foreign "MOT" done, got them out of the box, popped the bonnet and proceeded to be completely baffled by what appears to be an incredible feat of frustrating engineering.

Unless I am mistaken and doing something a little silly, I can't get the old ones out, let alone the new ones in, without removing the entire front bumper assembly. Which is one piece. :censor:

It looks like if I even wanted to change the bulb I'd have to have dainty 5year old hands that don't mind a few scratches for the cause.

Has anyone else had to change them before? Just incase it is just me missing something.

Hello mate, yes this seems to be a difficult job, i have attached a .pdf of the lighting system and another which covers the part which says refer to 76-3 as a picture file, I hope this helps you but it seems the bumper needs to come off.

Good luck ... Pete.

Thanks!

Sometimes though, I wish it was like the old days when headlights popped out in 2minutes! Taking the whole front end off just to changed a lamp? Still, I heard the previous generation was worse where you had to do the same just to change the bulbs!

No wonder Toyota Spain quoted me 800euros to do it.

Cheers for the help again, will use the pic to speed things up!

[pault38]

i had my continentals put in by mr t in germany, although i wasnt watching closely the front bumper wasnt removed...so there is a way...just wish i'd watched a bit better cos i'm gonna have to put my uk ones back in sometime in the near future.

[AvensiSpain04]

i had my continentals put in by mr t in germany, although i wasnt watching closely the front bumper wasnt removed...so there is a way...just wish i'd watched a bit better cos i'm gonna have to put my uk ones back in sometime in the near future.

That's interesting. We had a good go at it, but it doesn't even appear immediately that they will physically pass the grille/bumper with it being taken off. At the moment the plan is just to take it off next weekend unless anyone gives me advice to the contrary before then!

[MarkR]

Found this somewhere.

You need to remove the top plastic panels and underneith that the 3 bumper retaining bolts and plastic buttons .. Then push back the plastic inner valence cover on either side and remove the 2 corner bolts and plll the bumper towards you, this gives you enough room to remove the lamp. Each lamp is held with a clip that you prise apart towards the back of the lamp behind the corner of the bumper...These lamps are covered under warranty as the bulbs were getting too hot and melting the lamps. If by chance you dont get warranty on the lamps make sure the dealer gives you a Toyota Modified bulb and modified back cover for the new lamp as the old cover does not fit the new lamps and you will end up with moisture in your new lamp.

[Mackan100]

Found this somewhere.

You need to remove the top plastic panels and underneith that the 3 bumper retaining bolts and plastic buttons .. Then push back the plastic inner valence cover on either side and remove the 2 corner bolts and plll the bumper towards you, this gives you enough room to remove the lamp. Each lamp is held with a clip that you prise apart towards the back of the lamp behind the corner of the bumper...These lamps are covered under warranty as the bulbs were getting too hot and melting the lamps. If by chance you dont get warranty on the lamps make sure the dealer gives you a Toyota Modified bulb and modified back cover for the new lamp as the old cover does not fit the new lamps and you will end up with moisture in your new lamp.

yepp, this was the way we did it then i worked as an technician, but a little confused about "modified bulb" from my point of view its not the bulb wish is modified, but the complete headlight assey, but the rest of it is correct. I've lost count on how many upgrades there where of the headlamps, but i think there are at least five or six generations of the construction. yea i know about the moisture, the funny thing is that then i was working with another brand, don't going to mention it... but it starts with an F... ?? they wouldn't bother upgrade because of little moisture, maybe just replacing it within the first year guaranty of that brand. Just a parallel so we can approach the subject from another point of view. ohh.... sorry... just can't stop writing, it's seems to be some kind of disease of mine...

/Mackan100

former Toyota-technician Toyota news & reviews

[RobNelson]

Found this somewhere.

You need to remove the top plastic panels and underneith that the 3 bumper retaining bolts and plastic buttons .. Then push back the plastic inner valence cover on either side and remove the 2 corner bolts and plll the bumper towards you, this gives you enough room to remove the lamp. Each lamp is held with a clip that you prise apart towards the back of the lamp behind the corner of the bumper...These lamps are covered under warranty as the bulbs were getting too hot and melting the lamps. If by chance you dont get warranty on the lamps make sure the dealer gives you a Toyota Modified bulb and modified back cover for the new lamp as the old cover does not fit the new lamps and you will end up with moisture in your new lamp.

yepp, this was the way we did it then i worked as an technician, but a little confused about "modified bulb" from my point of view its not the bulb wish is modified, but the complete headlight assey, but the rest of it is correct. I've lost count on how many upgrades there where of the headlamps, but i think there are at least five or six generations of the construction. yea i know about the moisture, the funny thing is that then i was working with another brand, don't going to mention it... but it starts with an F... ?? they wouldn't bother upgrade because of little moisture, maybe just replacing it within the first year guaranty of that brand. Just a parallel so we can approach the subject from another point of view. ohh.... sorry... just can't stop writing, it's seems to be some kind of disease of mine...

/Mackan100

former Toyota-technician Toyota news & reviews

Can someone please enlighten me as to what the plastic inner valence cover is?

I need to replace my o/s headlight unit, and am waiting for one to be delivered from eBay. I'd like to fit it myself, but after having trawled the manual the removal of the bumper cover seems like a very large job (and not one I'm prepared to attempt alone...!)

Rob