edgy

we have had this problem for years now... .all the rear lights work; tail, parking, reverse, brake, everything.... including the CHMSL but the stupid damn dash light indicator is still glowing brightly indicating that there is a light bulb out.....WTF....

It is annoying as hell and distracting, I am tempted to pull the damn dash cluster out and pull that indicator bulb....OUT.

RX300Dog

I just wanted to add my 2 cents to the subject. I've had the indicator on the dashboard illuminated for years. During yearly state inspections, the shop always mentions it but states the bulbs are all working. I finally decided to see what I could do to extinguish the lamp (with out removing it) and I was about to tear apart the section looking for the module which monitors the status of the bulbs.

I had recalled many years ago, my wife had take the car in for it's inspection and they had replaced a bulb somewhere.

From reading previous threads, I took a mental note that the 3rd brake light, aka the "High Mount Stop Light" should be a 921 bulb.

On a whim, I was in a shop where they sold automotive replacement bulbs, and for a small cost I went ahead and purchased a 921 bulb. I was actually thinking of replacing the bulb with a newer LED model, but then I looked at the physical size of the LED they had in the shop and it was too big for the socket/cavity. Thus, I bought a regular 921 bulb.

Well, THIS WORKED! The dash light is now extinguished and I am happy. I am guessing that the shop which replaced the bulb years ago did not use a 921, and the current draw from the replacement was less than a 921, causing the monitor module to flag this as burned out. I'm happy I didn't waste the money on the LED bulb as it would have drawn much less than the 921 too.

If anyone has this issue on a 2000 RX300, I would advise changing the bulb and see if it makes a difference. It is very easy to change. There is a nice photographic tutorial on the forum.

SVRX300

Yesterday this tail light indicator came on. I replaced 3rd brake light bulb but the indicator is still on. I will replace other two main brake light bulbs although they are working fine.

salimshah

Does the warning in dash light up on first application of the brake? if yes, then it is brake light bulb(s). If not then it is one of the corner lamps.

In any case, have a buddy spot the problem by standing in the back.

Salim

SVRX300

Found it is the 3rd brake light bulb with a broken filament. I will buy a new standard 921 bulb.
Thank you Salim.

SVRX300

I bought Philips 921 LL (long life) and installed it. When I started car, indicator didn't come on, as soon as I back the car applying brake, it came on. All three brake lights are working now. Now I am lost. Can it be caused by this LL (long life) type of 921? LL has 2X life as the standard bulb. I am guessing LL draws less current therefore it wears out more slowly. If the RX rear light indicator is so picky. I really like to take the indicator bulb out.
I might try a resistor across the bulb terminals to fool the indicator.

mckellyb

The RX is incredibly sensitive when it comes to specifically the CHMSL bulb.

My wife's was intermittent, but the third brake lamp bulb never failed to light. However, it was OEM, car was 15 years old (about), and when I removed it, there was a hairline break in the filament. Still worked, which I can't figure out, but that did it.

joetifosi

My 99 RX the same thing. I tried 4 different bulbs with no success. I went to my local Lexus dealer and bought a bulb from them looks exactly the same but works and dash light turned off. The sensor is super sensitive and the slightest change in voltage will set off the light. Go OE!!

SVRX300

The indicator turned off by itself couple of days ago. I haven't got time to try a paralleling resistor yet. Hope the annoying light will not come back on

salimshah

First check if there is a bulb failure. If you switch bulb(s) then you have to figure out how to fool the system.

Salim

tim5055

This is a very old thread, but my 2000 RX is still going strong. I guess I'm "people" because I never bothered to look up at that 3rd brake light bulb! Fixed and good to go again.

Jhixson

Check the brake light bulb on the top of the rear window. I forgot this light and the warning kept coming on.

gailevans

I'm having this same issue, and will check the 3rd stop light tomorrow. Can someone point me in the direction of the video that shows how to replace this? Thank you!

af27004394

My warning dash light didn't come on until I changed to led bulbs. The computer thinks the brake lights are burnt out because the current is so low with led. The fix is to install a resister with each led bulb in wiring feeding the stop lights. The computer them thinks your stop lights are ok.

bordenj66

Posting the resolution to my rear light indicator saga here for everyone’s benefit, in case you ever get this far down the rabbit hole. Had to also replace the rear lamp failure module as well as the actual brake light.

If you don’t fix the brake light eventually the failure sensor module will fail.

Pics and troubleshoot steps included.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...l#post11510555