How to replace the parking light bulb on 2003

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whiteninja910

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How to replace the parking light bulb? I know it's next to the head light bulb but is there an easier way to replace the parking bulb with out twisting the HELL out of your wrist to get to the parking light bulb area? Please HELP...
 
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Remove the entire housing, remove the airbox or battery (depending on side), or twist the hell out of your wrist.
 
Use a stubby flat screwdriver. One of those 2-3 inch long one's with the full sized flat head. You can put the head of the screwdriver right up into the back of the twist-in bulb holder and give it a twist as if you were trying to remove it like a screw. It only needs maybe a 1/4 turn. Then you can put your hand in there and pull it straight out.

The only part that's tough to do is to get your hand in there far enough to twist the bulb holder. The screwdriver does this for you.

I've used this method plenty of times, and it only takes 20 seconds to change bulbs.
 
I have this set of pliers from another application. I didn't buy them specifically for the bulbs but it works well. Just don't squeeze too hard and ruin the connections.

 
I don't get it either, sounds like he means straight in to the back of the bulb with the screwdriver on the bulbs long axis. That's impossible given the clearance issue.
Fingers work fine.
 
On the back of the plastic bulb holder there is a slotted or indented area created by the design of the holder itself. This simply acts as a spot to put the screwdriver head so you can use the screwdriver to rotate it. It's not like you're shoving it in or forcing it into anything...it's just enough to get the flat head of the screwdriver in to allow some twist force. You don't need that much force to be able to twist the bulb holder in and out.

Not sure if there would be enough room to get a picture of what I'm talking about or I would.
 
Here's a pic I found online. The small gray holder in the upper right pointing down at a slight angle is the parking light socket. When the wire harness is plugged into the back of this, it creates the slot. You're essentially placing the screwdriver head in next to the plug.

ty10092a1r-2.jpg
 
I tried and tried and tried to get mine out, eventually I just let the place that was doing my inspection do it because I gave up
 
Thanks everyone for leaving helpful tips, regarding the parking light bulb issue. I do have another problem with my 4runner and the title of the thread is: "How to change 03 front signal housing?". I have not found anything regarding this matter. Please Help.

White out.
 
whiteninja910 said:
Look what I found on the WWW.

Check it out: Parking Light Change 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner - 2008 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0L V6

White out.
Click to expand...

The housings are a bit different for the 06-09 than the 03-05, It looks like it's a bit easier to get to the newer style one (which is the style they show in the vid). The 03-05 headlight is like the one i posted above where the parking light is up towards the top and rearmost of the housing which makes it a little more tight for access.
 
What an amazing PITA... Not having small arms the battery had to come out to change a bulb... :rant:
 
Thanks to the information on this thread I was finally able to replace my burnt out parking light bulbs. I found the stubby screwdriver tip to be perfect. I was able to remove the bulbs and replace them in less than 10 mins. I had to loosen the battery so I could tip it back slightly to remove the driver side bulb.

Thanks again. I was contemplating remove the whole headlight assembly. You save me a lot of time and aggravation.

Sent from my motorola edge plus using Tapatalk
 
Am I the only one who's had no issue reaching the parking light bulbs without the use of any tools or moving anything in the engine bay? Maybe the engine is set up different in a V8 compared to a V6? Mine were easily accessible.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk
 
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