......But not as difficult, it would seem, as the supposedly simple task of changing the side light bulbs on Julia's Rav-4:cursing:

 

I bought 3 sets of nice bright LEDs for the cars and thought I'd pop them in this morning. The ZX is easy - one of the few thing that is - just undo the retaining screws, pop the lamp unit out twist the holder and done. The Merc - well, it's a bit fiddly with short clumsy fingers, but still all done in 10 minutes....

 

.....but the Rav-4? I have to say I gave up - unless you have hands the size and dexterity of a marmoset, it is impossible!!! She has the 05/06 facelifted version of the Mk2 Rav; and the side lights are at the lower/outer-most corner of the headlamp unit and there as no way of actually being able to touch the bulb-holder, let alone twist it out!!

 

So I thought about removing the head lamp unit - but gave up there as well. After undoing the 2 top retaining bolts, it became obvious I would have to remove the whole front grill. And the headlamp surround. And even then I still could not see what else had to come off..... How the fook are you supposed to get to it....:cursing:

 

Richard:helpsmilie:

i remember a friend of mine who works at Toyota telling me about having to take bumpers off to replace bulbs on some of the model's ... it may be one of them :)

......But not as difficult, it would seem, as the supposedly simple task of changing the side light bulbs on Julia's Rav-4:cursing:

 

I bought 3 sets of nice bright LEDs for the cars and thought I'd pop them in this morning. The ZX is easy - one of the few thing that is - just undo the retaining screws, pop the lamp unit out twist the holder and done. The Merc - well, it's a bit fiddly with short clumsy fingers, but still all done in 10 minutes....

 

.....but the Rav-4? I have to say I gave up - unless you have hands the size and dexterity of a marmoset, it is impossible!!! She has the 05/06 facelifted version of the Mk2 Rav; and the side lights are at the lower/outer-most corner of the headlamp unit and there as no way of actually being able to touch the bulb-holder, let alone twist it out!!

 

So I thought about removing the head lamp unit - but gave up there as well. After undoing the 2 top retaining bolts, it became obvious I would have to remove the whole front grill. And the headlamp surround. And even then I still could not see what else had to come off..... How the fook are you supposed to get to it....:cursing:

 

Richard:helpsmilie:

 

Oh no Richard how ironic that your 2 cars have been changed and your missus Julia is still waiting..LOL amunition for women sulks there mate. Tell her for her own safety it is better if she has the original bulbs and maybe just maybe you can pull it off:innocent:

Oh no Richard how ironic that your 2 cars have been changed and your missus Julia is still waiting..LOL amunition for women sulks there mate. Tell her for her own safety it is better if she has the original bulbs and maybe just maybe you can pull it off:innocent:

 

LOL - I did suggest that as she has small, slim hands, she could try and do it herself.......

 

.......I've only just regained the ability to walk upright again!!

 

Richard:oops:

Dont talk to me about Rav's Rich the engine managment light came on in ours and it was the o2 sensor. The Rav has 4 sensors 2 before the cats and 2 after the one I needed was bank 2 sensor 1 and it cost £105!!!!!!!!!!!

......But not as difficult, it would seem, as the supposedly simple task of changing the side light bulbs on Julia's Rav-4:cursing:

 

I bought 3 sets of nice bright LEDs for the cars and thought I'd pop them in this morning. The ZX is easy - one of the few thing that is - just undo the retaining screws, pop the lamp unit out twist the holder and done. The Merc - well, it's a bit fiddly with short clumsy fingers, but still all done in 10 minutes....

 

.....but the Rav-4? I have to say I gave up - unless you have hands the size and dexterity of a marmoset, it is impossible!!! She has the 05/06 facelifted version of the Mk2 Rav; and the side lights are at the lower/outer-most corner of the headlamp unit and there as no way of actually being able to touch the bulb-holder, let alone twist it out!!

 

So I thought about removing the head lamp unit - but gave up there as well. After undoing the 2 top retaining bolts, it became obvious I would have to remove the whole front grill. And the headlamp surround. And even then I still could not see what else had to come off..... How the fook are you supposed to get to it....:cursing:

 

Richard:helpsmilie:

 

halfords will fit them for 5£ :)

i remember a friend of mine who works at Toyota telling me about having to take bumpers off to replace bulbs on some of the model's ... it may be one of them :)

 

It looks like you may be right Mark - from what I have read on the owners' forums..... I'll try one trick first though - apparently it may be possible through the wheel-arch covers with the wheels on full lock.......

 

Dont talk to me about Rav's Rich the engine managment light came on in ours and it was the o2 sensor. The Rav has 4 sensors 2 before the cats and 2 after the one I needed was bank 2 sensor 1 and it cost £105!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I know all about that too Gary - we had the same thing on the silver 52-reg one Julia had previously. A local garage diagnosed the fault, but something he said did not give me much confidence; so I spoke to the garage I used to use before moving house. He told me that for most Toyotas, the "generic" diagnostic equipment found in independent garages is not actually very good at diagnosing the fault. He did the same test for free for me and it still said the same thing - o2 sensors needed replacing; but advised taking the car to a main dealer before splashing out.

 

So I did, and I am glad about it - instead of replacing the sensors at £100+ a pop, they said all it needed was a software upgrade. All in, with the diagnostics and re-set of the ECU was £50 plus VAT and job done!!

 

halfords will fit them for 5£ :)

 

LOL - I said that to Julia an hour ago..... It will be a laugh watching them try!!!

 

Richard:online2long:

halfords will fit them for 5£ :)

 

I wouldn't let someone at Halfords change my Magic Tree, let alone bulbs where bumpers & headlights need removing :lol:

I wouldn't let someone at Halfords change my Magic Tree, let alone bulbs where bumpers & headlights need removing :lol:

 

LOL - sad but true Noel.....:oops:

Dam I havent fitted the sensor yet so I hope it works Rich. Plus now you have mentioned it I remember you putting a thread up about the Rav software upgrade.

Dam I havent fitted the sensor yet so I hope it works Rich. Plus now you have mentioned it I remember you putting a thread up about the Rav software upgrade.

 

I think I did mate - and I think Julia actually went ahead with one of the O2 sensor replacements at said local garage; only to have the engine light come on a day or two later....:thumbdown:

 

Before you fit it Gary, it might be worth running the car into the nearest main dealers for a second opinion - you might be able to get a refund on that sensor if it's not actually needed!

 

Richard:detective:

I think I did mate - and I think Julia actually went ahead with one of the O2 sensor replacements at said local garage; only to have the engine light come on a day or two later....:thumbdown:

 

Before you fit it Gary, it might be worth running the car into the nearest main dealers for a second opinion - you might be able to get a refund on that sensor if it's not actually needed!

 

Richard:detective:

 

Good idea Rich but all closed for Christmas now so will look into it more on the net. Cheers Rich:thumbup1:

I wouldn't let someone at Halfords change my Magic Tree, let alone bulbs where bumpers & headlights need removing :lol:

 

But think of the fun watching them just try and get at the drivers side bulb with all the HICAS in the way