ccds

I have been monitoring the back up lights for the past month and have not
had any sign of over heating. I am very focused on not leaving the car
in reverse for an extended period of time. I think if the lights were left on
for a long time it could damage the plastic housing or the plastic lens.

I am the only one that drives this vehicle so I know that the longest reverse
time is only about 25 sec. that I back out of the drive way.

I will continue to monitor the heat issue and see what the result is and post
the results here a bit later.

If anyone has questions I do have pictures of the modification and the bulbs
and I would be glad to share that info.

you can email me at ccds22@gmail.com

tkrussell

ccds,
Do you have a part number and source for the 50W halogen bulbs?
Thanks
Thomas

ccds

yes I think I still have the info

I should be able to get it for you tomorrow

sorry about the delay in answering, I have be away

ccds

HI

I took the bulbs out of the package when I was working on the replacement
so I only have the bulbs left. It says on the bulb 50w 12v Rona.
That is all I could find. I bought 2 sets one was Rona and one set was
Philps. I used the Philps bulbs although they looked exactly the same.
The bulbs are used in garden lighting systems.

I will try to stop by the store and get the number for you

hope this helps

tkrussell

Thanks for the info.
I appreciate your help.
If you can find a part number, that would be great.
Thomas

ccds

Hi

tkrussell send me an email and I will send you pictures of the bulbs and the modification

ccds22@gmail.com

ccds

Hi folks

Just thought I better let everyone know NOT to do this modification to your backup lights.

After 4 or 5 weeks of using the 50W Halogen bulbs I had problems today!

The bulbs melted the plastic housing and caused the main system fuse to
blow. This shut everything down I had to get towed to Lexus for repairs.
Lexus was very good about the mod and fixed it at no charge.
Great service. I told them it wasn't Lexus fault and I should pay for the
repairs but they insisted it was ok and no charge.

What can you say Lexus service is outstanding.

Lil4X

Yikes!! I was about to try this!

Weak backup lights and a neighbor's Thanksgiving guest backing out of his driveway, dropping a wheel off the driveway and into the ditch, had several of us out Thursday night trying to drag a shiny new Caliber stuck frame down back on the pavement.

Although my driveway's wide, the end segment, thanks to city replacement is blacktop that neatly matches the blacktop of the street . . . and invisible at night. I thought changing those lamps might help - especially if they are only going to be on for twenty-thirty seconds. Having seen the results of backing into a black hole, I was about to make a run to the hardware store. Sorry about your problem, but your post just helped at least one member dodge a bullet!

cheap_deal

its really good to know the dealer fixed the lights and did the replacements free of charge!!! way to go lexus.

ccds

Glad I saved you the aggravation I went through and it was all my
own fault.

Could have been worse....you can get over a little embarrassment....

bigcal

Help!!! Bought new RX350 December/06. Now have 10,000 miles on it many of which are put on during night hours. Tight spots, poor lighting makes safe reverse driving nearly impossible with the very poor provided back up lights. Add snow and an ice covered camera lens and it is impossible. After reading all the forum on this subject one would think it is time for Lexus to have a recall or at least offer an updated package. I have called several dealers, spoke with parts departments and service managers and none of them will even admit there is a problem. Enjoy the car, bought it with the purpose of necessary driving in poor weather. Great car for going forward during poor weather night time hours, just do not back up.

biff44

The solution probably involves a white LED lightbulb replacement. They put out a lot more light for the same DC current/wattage, so you will not be blowing a fuse or melting the bezel. Does anyone know the bulb number for the backup light, and the wattage. I will try to cross reference it.

Something like this, but the correct socket type, would probably do the trick:

http://www.amazon.com/DODGE-Dakota-b.../dp/B000LOUGK4

bigcal

Appreciate your response. One of the problems, and I have had several engineer types stand in back of the vechicle, is the direction of how the light is focused. On a dark night, even if the side mirrors are not iced up, it is impossible to see anything on the sides. The lights seem to be only focused for the camera and not at all to the sides. Believe they should leave the present lights as they are but add two more back up lights in the bumper just above the running tail lights. They could use the same light housing only change the lens to white (LCD or ???). It would look OK. Hate to add aftermarket unless they look like they belong.

Lil4X

The light output may be sufficient depending on your driveway. Mine's a loooong asphalt one that's black as the pit - even in the camera. Fortunately the driveway's two lanes wide, so a put a pair of little solar lights at the far end and just aim between them. About 10pm the solar lights poop out, so if you're making a late run to the store, you're sorta on your own . . .

Next time I resurface the drive, I'm going to sweep a lot of cement over the surface which will lighten it considerably.

bigcal

Problem: Frequently in areas at night, where there is zero light and seldom the same area. I need adequate back up lights on the RX350 or need to always carry a passenger who carries a good portable flood light that does not mind gettin out in a cold, rainy or snowy dark night to light the way behind me.