Hi guys,

Have a recurring issue with my 2000 RX300. Driving me crazy. I have had ALL my rear lamps replaced but the Rear light out indicator does not go out on the dash. Does anyone think it could be a sensor of some sort or a filament problem, Lexus of Princeton cant even seem to get it right.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much. I'm not new to the Forum just never really asked anything pertinent yet. lol

Melo

 

First a welcome to CL.

I appreciate your effort to tie to an existing thread, but your issue has little in common with the thread you posted in.

Please explain your problem a bit more .. does your rear warning come on when you press the brake for the first time after start. This would help us understand if there is a problem with the brake lights or the corner rear lights.

When you replaced ALL bulbs did you purchase the right wattage as specked in the owners manual?

Did you check the high mounted brake light?

Does the intensity/brightness looks the same one either sides [check this when it is dark .. better still get an assistant .. one in the cabin and one outside].

Salim

 

Don't let this issue drive you crazy. Actually, if you really think about it, is it really an issue? Your lights are working correct?

Solution = ignore the stupid indicator light.

You can also disconnect your negative for a few and see if it resets/what happens.

Personally, I would just ignore it. These are old cars, it will NEVER EVER be perfect. Nothing it, ever was and ever will be.

 

Also, make sure all five lights are coming on with the brakes. There's the upper center light, two in the hatch and one on each side of the body.

If the two in the hatch are out (or have the wrong bulb) it can still look right since most cars only have 3 brake lights.

 

The bulb monitoring system in these rx300s uses either resistance or CANBus protocol to detect a blown bulb. The little module that detects this is mounted in the left rear (driver's side) quarter panel behind the trunk panel. Try this: start the car WITHOUT your foot on the brake. If the warning light is not on, but comes on when you press the brake, this tells you there is a bulb not working somewhere (and the module is working properly). If the warning light is on constantly and you have verified all bulbs are working then the module is faulty.

Note - if you are running LED bulbs you MUST make sure they have the built-in circuitry to handle the monitoring circuit otherwise the module will always report them as blown.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I am doing all that was suggested. I will let you know how I made out so if anyone else gets thrown they can get some help. Yes Salim only when I depress the brake after startup does the indicator come on. So far All lights on however my wife noticed that when I hit the brake the inner most bulb does not go through the second lighting process, I will replace and let you know ,

Thanks Gang

 

Chaoski

I cant help it, i wouldn't drive a Lexus with an issue like that its just me, However you are correct if i used your knowledge, i wouldn't be as crazy about it. lol

 

I don't understand what you mean in post # 6 by 'the inner most bulb does not go through the second lighting process.' How about you have your wife depress the brake while you watch from outside the car?

 

Last I counted there are 5 tail brake lights for RX. Any one off will trigger the brake light warning (the first time you hit brake after starting).

I think your problem is well understood and will be solved.

Salim

 

That's your problem right there. The bulbs are dual filament meaning they're two bulbs in one. Each bulb doubles as the tail light and brake light. The brake light filament has burned out leaving it as a functioning tail light but a failed brake light.

Get the two pack and replace both bulbs since the other one is probably close to failing. They're cheap and the new bulbs will probably outlast your ownership of the vehicle.

 

What has me stumped is the claim, in the first post, that 'Lexus of Princeton can't get it right.' This ain't rocket science.

 

I am guessing there is a turn light bulb where the brake light bulb should be. Sylvania 7440 is the turn/back-up bulb and 7443 is the brake bulb.

 

All tail lights on my RX Light up at night on AUTO. I then have my wife tap the brake pedal and all the other bulbs blink. there are two on the tail lamp sided by side. the one closest to the license
plate does not blink while the brake is depressed....

 

Nope that's the 1st thing I check when there is an issue like this,

 

I will keep you guys posted as soon as I switch out the culpable bulbs we spoke of. License plate bulb is out as well. Wasn't before, Thanks to you ALL , for your most caring input, this forum is a godsend.....