LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

electrical gremlins?

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Old 04-29-17, 03:52 PM
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semar
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Default electrical gremlins?

Turned the engine on, stepped on the brake pedal - a warning triangle on the instrument cluster comes on, below the message: taillamp failure
Checked: both tail lights are on, both turn signals working, both brakelights working, high brake light on

How do I erase the message?
Old 04-29-17, 04:15 PM
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StanVanDam
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This warning is misleading - it should say "exterior bulb failure". Both front headlights have small lights that when burned out (or replaced with LEDs) will throw this taillamp failure message.

Also, check that the dual-filament bulbs on both sides are fully working. If 1 low power filament is working but the high power one isn't, the system will recognize that the bulb has failed.
Old 04-29-17, 04:46 PM
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semar
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do all bulbs have dual filaments? To me all bulbs seem to work fine. I see no different intensities (raining hard)
Old 05-01-17, 03:43 PM
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semar
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the message says Taillamp failure
It comes on only after I activate the brake pedal, no message when just starting the engine.
Do I assume correctly that it pertains only to the bulbs in the brake light?
How difficult is it to change the bulbs? I checked some diagrams but nothing shows how to remove the bulbs, only a code # for the bulbs (presumably available at the dealer)
PS: thanks for the electrical diagram but for a construction guy taunting (to say the least) ** I will file it nevertheless**
Old 05-05-17, 10:51 AM
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semar
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fixed
It was not the brake light bulb but the lower left tail light bulb. This bulb has a dual filement - one of it was burned out and caused the warning message
For the ones who has never exchanged the bulb: the small "trapdoor" is fastened with a velco strip; it also has a hinge on the side facing the outside of the car. If you pry on the hingeside you might damage/brake off the little door. So, pry on the side facing the trunk. The bulb holder is also quite tight; tight to get at it and tight in the holder itself. You loosen the holder by twisting it, then pull hard.
The bulb was C$ 7 for a Philips long life (2bulb package)
The message did not come on any longer after the bulb was exchanged
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