I have an 07 RX350 and the foot-well lights and door-handle release lights are bright and then they dim once the car is started and the interior lights are turned on. Looking through a Lexus Electronic Service Manual it says that the Body ECU logic is to send less voltage for the dimming once a few criteria are met. They mention that the only setting you can change with these lights are with a Lexus hand-held tester and you can only turn the lights on/off as opposed to changine the brightness.

Does anyone know if there is a way to override this with some type of rewire so that those lights remain bright?

 

I would think that there is a way to rewire it, not sure how complex. Grab a copy of the electrical wiring diagram and see for yourself. I can't imagine myself personally though wanting bright lights in the interior as I drive around except when needed (i.e. the map lights). Dimmer interior accent lights definitely help your visibility outside of the vehicle at night and make driving more safe. Lexus gets an A from me for it.