Need suggestions
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Need suggestions
1999 RX300 136k
When I start the car in the morning everything is all good until I hit my brakes. The dummy light comes on and I am assuming it is the brake light switch. The only thing is that all my lights and signals are working frine.
The other issue is that none of my seat belts will retract nor lock up if I need to brake quickly.
Could the brake light sensor possibly being faulty cause the seat belts not to retract or lock up? Any suggestions would be great. I am debating whether to sell the car due to the issues or if I can fix it myself at a decent cost I would like to keep it. It drives and runs fantastic. No shavings in the transmission pan and I have cleaned the IACV.
When I start the car in the morning everything is all good until I hit my brakes. The dummy light comes on and I am assuming it is the brake light switch. The only thing is that all my lights and signals are working frine.
The other issue is that none of my seat belts will retract nor lock up if I need to brake quickly.
Could the brake light sensor possibly being faulty cause the seat belts not to retract or lock up? Any suggestions would be great. I am debating whether to sell the car due to the issues or if I can fix it myself at a decent cost I would like to keep it. It drives and runs fantastic. No shavings in the transmission pan and I have cleaned the IACV.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 13
From: Maryland
Welcome to Club Lexus.
My reading of your description is that the brake warning light is coming on. That doesn't sound serious at all.
I think the two first things to check are: (1) all the brake lights at night, especially the high-mounted center light in the rear, and (2) the brake fluid level. Normal disk pad wear will cause the brake fluid level to drop. The chances are, it is one of those two things. After that, you get into less likely problems.
My reading of your description is that the brake warning light is coming on. That doesn't sound serious at all.
I think the two first things to check are: (1) all the brake lights at night, especially the high-mounted center light in the rear, and (2) the brake fluid level. Normal disk pad wear will cause the brake fluid level to drop. The chances are, it is one of those two things. After that, you get into less likely problems.
Which light is it?
If it is the light that says 'BRAKE' then check the fluid level.
If one of the tail lights have burned out, the indicator light will be the [overhead icon of the car with ray lines at the rear]......sorry that is a poor description of the light.
But the point is, there is a different light for those two situations
If it is the light that says 'BRAKE' then check the fluid level.
If one of the tail lights have burned out, the indicator light will be the [overhead icon of the car with ray lines at the rear]......sorry that is a poor description of the light.
But the point is, there is a different light for those two situations
Last edited by defo; Dec 21, 2010 at 03:05 PM.
The seat belts are mechanical and not tied to the braking system. RX300's commonly have problems with the seat belts becoming loose or slack over time. One fix I recall, was cleaning the loop that the shoulder belt slides through. The loop can build up with grime and not allow the belt to move freely, that may or may not solve your particular issue.
But, if you talking about powered seatbelt tensioners (that cinch up during a crash), I believe those are tied to the SRS system and are only activated during an impact, but I don't recall if RX300's have these or not.
But, if you talking about powered seatbelt tensioners (that cinch up during a crash), I believe those are tied to the SRS system and are only activated during an impact, but I don't recall if RX300's have these or not.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
I am just going to try to clean the seat belts. No break light is on. All lights are in perfect shape. The dummy light comes on after I start the car and hit the brake again when I go to leave. All signals and brake functions are working normally. Sounds to me that the previous owner may have put a bandaid on a possible relay issue that would activate the brake lights.
I am just going to try to clean the seat belts. No break light is on. All lights are in perfect shape. The dummy light comes on after I start the car and hit the brake again when I go to leave. All signals and brake functions are working normally. Sounds to me that the previous owner may have put a bandaid on a possible relay issue that would activate the brake lights.
Like bob2200 said, check the 3rd, high brake light in the rear window too.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
Likes: 1,397
From: Austin, TX
I am just going to try to clean the seat belts. No break light is on. All lights are in perfect shape. The dummy light comes on after I start the car and hit the brake again when I go to leave. All signals and brake functions are working normally. Sounds to me that the previous owner may have put a bandaid on a possible relay issue that would activate the brake lights.
Salim
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Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Ok guys after 11 months I found the brake light issue. You guys were right. I was following the wife home the other night and noticed the thrid brake light on the lift gate was out. Yep I am a jack.........
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