How to Remove the 1996 Lexus SC300 Driver's Door Panel

The Lexus lineup of vehicles debuted in 1989 with the release of the LS 400 and ES 250. Some buyers may see vehicles from Lexus, a member of Toyota Motor Company, as rebadged Toyotas, and some Lexus models are related to Toyotas. Lexus shattered that ideal with the release of the very un-Toyota SC 300 and SC 400, two-door sports coupes, in the 1992 model year. The 1996 SC 300 came standard with an impressive 225-horsepower, 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine. There are only two door panels on the 1996 SC 300, and replacing the drivers side door panel is a straightforward process once you locate all of the fasteners.

Instructions

Removal

1

Pry upward on the front then both sides of the power accessory bezel the bezel that contains the power mirror, power window and power door lock switches with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage its retaining clip and tabs. Pull the bezel forward slightly to disengage the rear tab, then lift it just enough to access the wiring harnesses on the underside.

2

Unplug the wiring harnesses for the power window, power mirror and power lock switches and remove the power accessory bezel.

3

Remove the rectangular screw cover inside the inside door panel using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the screw cover.

4

Pop the two circular screw covers from the front of the door panel using a flat-head screwdriver. Set these covers in a safe area, as they are easy to misplace.

5

Remove the eight screws securing the door panel two on the front of the panel, three along the bottom, two under the pull handle and one inside the interior door handle assembly using a Phillips screwdriver.

6

Pry around the perimeter of the door panel with a trim stick to disengage the panels six retaining clips.

7

Pull the trim panel from the door just enough to access the cabling and wires on the rear of the interior door handle.

8

Pull the exposed section of each cable outward to obtain some slack. Align the slackened cable with the slot in the door handle or door lock and pull the cable through the slot to remove the cable and its metal end from the door lock or door handle.

9

Label the cables with masking tape and a permanent marker in a way that will allow you to install them correctly, then pull the cables from their mounts on the door panel.

10

Unplug the courtesy lights wiring harness and remove the door panel from the vehicle.

Installation

11

Set the door panel close enough to the door to allow reconnection of the cables and wires. Plug the courtesy lights wiring harness back into the courtesy light.

12

Press the cables into their mounts on the door handle assembly using the labels you made as a guide.

13

Remove the labels from the cables. Pull the exposed section of the lower cable outward to get some slack. Align the metal end of the cable with the cutout in the door handle. Guide the end into the cutout and the cable through the slot, then release the cable. Repeat this step to attach the upper cable to the door lock.

14

Hold the door panel up to the door and align the six retaining clips on the rear of the door panel with their holes in the door. Hit around the perimeter of the door panel with the palm of your hand to engage the clips, securing the panel.

15

Reinstall and tighten the eight panel-retaining screws using a Phillips screwdriver. Press the circular screw covers into place over the two front-most screws. Press the rectangular screw cover over the screw in the door handle assembly.

16

Connect the wiring harnesses to their receptacles on the power accessory bezel each harness is a different size and shape to avoid confusion. Slide the rear of the bezel into the cutout until its tab slides into its slot on the rear of the cutout, then press downward on the front of the bezel to engage its retaining clip.