..ok, I have searched and found threads on how to replace my low beams. Everything was going good until it was time to reinstall everything. For some messed up of a reason, the bulb won't sit properly back into place. I have been trying for 4hrs. now trying to place it back it with absolutely no luck. Getting frustrated and it getting dark outside as well.. I just gave up. I am re-looking over the threads and I am positive I have followed every detail to dot on how to reinstall everything.. but it just won't fit back into place.

When looking over the engine from the front.. for the drivers-side, I have the power-socket w/the metal sliver +plastic part of the bulb facing downward while inserting the power-socket into place. The harness wires are too the right of me, where they should be.. and this is where my issues start. I can't really see how the notches should be placed.. do they fit into a key on the headlight casing? ..or do they just go in and place the security pin over? The little sticker on the power-socket is upside down (right-side up if looking over @ it directly) ..and I'm positive thats the way it should be since thats how the other side was before I tried, failing on the passengers side as well. I guess I'm not doing something right.. but can't seem to find my flaw.. someone please help me! ..I'm so frustrated seeing as how easy this should have been.. but I guess its one of those things too me that I just underestimated.

I just need some pictures on how the bulb should be seated in the power-socket and how the power-socket harness should be seated in the headlight casing.

Phew.. hope someone understands me..

 

dude i was in the same situation as u...since it was such a B* to do the driver side i jus took the whole front bumper and headlights off so it was much easier that way...oh and i actually went ahead and took the intake resonator off........but the bulb has lil slits on them and ur headlight has the lil bumps where it should properly sit...the wire harness' should be facing up towards u and the bulb should have the long metal piece facin down...

 

my best guess is you have aftermarket bulbs- which fit a few model lamps and the notches are of no relevance to the TL
The external electrode is the thing to use for line-up
put the bulb straight in - no twisting or you may damage the external thing
Hold bulb in correct place- use the 1 arm clip to secure and thats it

 

Ok.. so the bulb should be turned all the way and locked into the key in the power harness and just put the bulb straight in? ..and lock the security pin? That's what I had been doing for 4hrs yesterday with absolutely no luck. I'm about to give it another shot right now.. so hopefully all works well.

 

NOOOO
Put the bulb straight in= with the external electrode down iirc
put bulb in- the notches have no purpose on these bulbs- just put it in correct then lock down
NO twisting allowed--same as you took the old one out

 

lol Tom, I was talking about how far I needed too turn the HID bulb in the power harness socket. If you twist it all the way, theres a groove/key in the power harness that sort-of locks the bulb in place. Then without any twisting of any sort.. I put the entire power harness+HID bulb into place and then lock the security pin right? Man.. I swear I was doing this yesterday..

 

iirc doing mine into new housings- and I used the Kaixen which are interchangable- not exact as OE- the ol d2r-s-c thing you know~
So the bulb goes straight in- base will sit flat in correct position
place spring arm into lock position- attach wire harness
No twisting of bulb while in housing as the external electrode cover MAY be damaged by hitting the reflector plate in the housing--get it?

put it in electrode down (iirc) and lock in place- done

 

your 03 may differ slightly- thats my disclaimer~

 

if i were you i would check both bulbs make sure the groves are the same second theres a groove/key in the power harness that sort-of locks the bulb in place then your suppose to put the security pin to lock the bulb in place last you plug the into the bulb and twist the connector to get into place then you would put the big cover on it

 

man the same thing happened with me it took me like to hours to get that shit on my clip bent out of place cuz i was trying to force it on so i had to bend it back i think someone is watchin over me cuz with some sheer luck i got it to fit and just clipped it on and thanked God.