Turn Signal Bulb Fell into Housing

[4RunBill]

While I was removing the blinker bulb socket from the left (driver's) headlight assembly, the bulb fell out of the socket and into the housing (ugh!!). (2008 4Runner)

Any advice on how to get the bulb out? Anyone done this before?

I removed the battery for better access and tried fishing with wire, sticky tape, a magnet... no luck.

I started removing the whole headlight housing to shake out the bulb, but it looks like the bumper or wheel well cover needs to come off to get to one of the bolts holding the housing in.

 

[cabowally]

That sucks....

The FSM (which is where you should have looked first) is your friend. Sticky thread on main 4gen page. Get it. It has pictures.

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Headlight Assembly
**

Headlight Assembly
**
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY

REMOVAL

REMOVE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY
DISCONNECT CABLE FROM NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL

**
REMOVE RADIATOR SUPPORT SEAL UPPER
Using a clip remover, remove the 10 clips and radiator support seal upper.

**
REMOVE FRONT BUMPER FILLER
Remove the clip and the front bumper filler.
REMOVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY
Disconnect the connector.

**
Remove the bolt, 3 screws, and the headlight assembly.
INSTALLATION


**
INSTALL HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY
Install the headlight assembly with the 3 screws and the bolt.
Connect the connectors.

**
INSTALL FRONT BUMPER FILLER
Install the front bumper filler with the clip.
INSTALL RADIATOR SUPPORT SEAL UPPER
CONNECT CABLE TO NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL
INSTALL FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY
PREPARE VEHICLE FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING ADJUSTMENT
PREPARE FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING (Using a tester)
PREPARE FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING (Using a screen)
INSPECT HEADLIGHT AIMING
ADJUST HEADLIGHT AIMING
PERFORM INITIALIZATION

 

[Zuke]

Take the headlight off. Its not that difficult. Guys do it on the site all the time to paint there headlights... I can remove mine without taking the wheel well covers off.