On my 2005 RX, the lamp socket collars have what appears to be melting caused by heat and discoloration around both rear tail light bulbs, the bulb activated when in the parking light position. Could this have been caused by melting snow, live in DC and last winter had 52" of the white stuff. Do I have to replace the entire light assembly or just the individual socket? Could not find this problem addressed on a search. Thanks !

 

wow, thats odd, it shouldnt be snow related, the cars are designed to be pretty water proof, only way really would be to have a couple leaking taillight seals.

do you have any accessories?? hitch wiring etc. back there??

sounds like it could be costly

 

Kiwi, no hitch or accesories, could it be wiring or a relay, strange it happened on both sides, how could the taillight seals go out on both sides ? Need help

 

It may have been caused by sitting idle with your foot on the brake for long periods of time.

 

tromly, Did you find out what the issue was? What was the cost on he replacement? I have the same issue. I'll post some pics.

 

Post pics so we can see.

 

Thanks for the reply mandyfig. I'll post them up in a few.

 

 

No one's had this issue?

 

umm, so I take it the socket melted and is causing the bulb to sit at an angle? I doubt this is snow related and more of why is the socket getting that hot and what's causing it.

 

That is correct. I live in Phoenix so there isn't much snow, so I'm not sure why the bulb housing melted. I bought this car back in October and it was this way when I purchased it. Does anyone know what part to replace and how much it might cost?

 

Repair might not be an option if it's melted. New ones aren't that much...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-09...Q5fAccessories

 

Sweet. Thanks for the link.

 

Actually I have the same exact problem and brought it to the dealership and they said they have never seen this problem. They took the light off the car and checked the bulbs and the wires and they all fall under factory spec and the final conclusion they came up, they said I breaked too much.

As we know, this isn't the LED breaking light, and
I find it weird that the factory spec wedge bulbs can result in the housing to melt. Over the 7 years of ownership, I have never changed
the bulbs, so they are factory and would'nt this result into an safety issue?

Earlier this week, I called lexus corporate to address this problem
and they'll get back to me in 5 business days with an explanation.

 

That's a new one - "You brake too much". Never ceases to amaze me what the dealers will do for $$$$.

If it is heat related, where are the problems for this in Texas, Arizona, etc..?