I fixed my 1992 ES300 last summer -- same bulb. Ridiculous pain in the ass. Had to pop off a bunch of the little things that hold down the rubber cover that goes across the hood above the light. Broke most of them. Had to unbolt the whole light assembly. Lost the headlight alignment. Etc.
Is the 97 any easier?
I figure Lexus would charge me an hour to do it.
If the 1997 is the same as my 2000, and I think it is, you open the hood, and pry a thin black plastic strip up that runs above the turn signal over towards the radiator. Below that is one phillips head screw holding the turn signal assembly--remove that screw. Then put the palm of your hand on the passenger side of the tutn signal light assembly and push in a little, and toward the front of the car. The assembly will slide forward, but it might take a little more effort than you would think.
I had to do this because my right turn signals started flashing at double the normal speed. I assumed the problem was the flashing unit, and I bought and installed one, but I the signal still flashed twice as fast as normal. I inquired on a Lexus forum, and found all I had to do was to remove the bulb and lightly rub the contacts on the end of the bulb against a sidewalk, then reinstall. Maybe you don't actually need a new bulb. The contacts get a little corroded, I guess.
After I've shined up the contacts, I put a little dielectric grease in there.
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