rx 300 tail light indicator comes on dashboard
#1
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rx 300 tail light indicator comes on dashboard
i have a yellow dash board light on my 2000 RX 300 and the manual says change the tail lights soon. i changed them all and the dash board lights comes back as soon as i step on the breaks. could this be a bad sensor, and if so where is the sensor? any help is appreciated.
#2
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i have a yellow dash board light on my 2000 RX 300 and the manual says change the tail lights soon. i changed them all and the dash board lights comes back as soon as i step on the breaks. could this be a bad sensor, and if so where is the sensor? any help is appreciated.
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i have to agree that what you say makes perfect sense. Its very distracting to drive with this light and i would take out that DIL if i could... what is the third light bulb?
#4
I'd start with checking thec operation of the brake light that is at the top of the rear hatch (i.e., 3rd brake light). Then, I'd check the operation of all the lights (brake, stop, reverse, headlights, etc.). It is easiest to check them at night. The chances of it being a sensor are small. The wrong wattage bulb can trigger the warning light, but I don't recall hearing of different brands being a problem. I recently replaced a 21W bulb in a ES300 with (as I recall) a 22W bulb, and it worked fine.
Last edited by bob2200; 01-25-10 at 04:18 PM.
#5
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I don't believe there is any sensor, as such. The ECU monitors the current flowing through the various light circuits and flashes a warning light if anything is outside certain specifications. Your third brake light bulb is probably burned out but, failing that, you likely have a corroded light socket with a high resistance.
#7
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I'd start with checking thec operation of the brake light that is at the top of the rear hatch (i.e., 3rd brake light). Then, I'd check the operation of all the lights (brake, stop, reverse, headlights, etc.). It is easiest to check them at night. The chances of it being a sensor are small. The wrong wattage bulb can trigger the warning light, but I don't recall hearing of different brands being a problem. I recently replaced a 21W bulb in a ES300 with (as I recall) a 22W bulb, and it worked fine.
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Thanx guys for all the solid inputs on this topic. i am feeling a little dumb right now since i did not check the 3rd break light as yet. i will check it this evening and reply tmo..
#12
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Thanks for the input Sktn. I am still suspicioning that is the case with some of the Lexus dash light indications of bulb out when there isn't a problem with the actual functioning of any of the lights. It is almost impossible to buy high quality bulbs at any of the chain auto parts stores. I remember years ago when I was working at a Chevy dealership (good one, not flakey), the parts manager bought a bunch of bulbs from a supplier that were made in some obscure foreign country. Bulbs looked really edgy right out of the box. About 3 out of 10 in the box wouldn't even light when you put them in. Even the MAJOR manufacturers (Sylvania, etc.) are not very high quality compared to good European or Japanese bulbs. It's all about the money.
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OK, its now official, I am dumber than I thought, or just aging. Now as i am changing the high mount stop light on my 2000 Lexus rx300 it suddenly hit me that i changed this very bulb 3 years ago when i just bought the darn car for the same light on the dash board. I am feeling so moronic right now for want of a more degrading word. And yes, just like 3 years ago it cleared the light again. Than you all for your well needed help.
#15
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Glad it did the job Mr. P I guess I'll have to try different bulbs to see if my DIL's is not going out because of the bulbs. All lights are definitely working and correct # bulbs. Tough to ever get the car away from her though because they need both of the cars daily.