Hi,
trying to find way to confirm if my 2009 Lexus rx350 has can bus computer installed. It is right on the cusp of when they started putting them in vehicles. Reading up on LEDs it is NOT recommended to use can bus ready bulbs in your vehicle if you don’t have it because it can throw off the computer. My vehicle was built in 9/08 so I’m not sure. I do not get any warning lights if I have a bulb out but is that a sure way to tell. Dealers know nothing on how to check by vin#

 

CAN Bus has been in Lexyota's since the late 2000's. But I noticed from installing remote starts, 2010+ is when it really started to be more intertwined and complex. My 2005 RX330 and your 2009 RX350 have CAN Bus and most likely yours has better functionality than mine.

I see you are asking about LEDs and CAN Bus. While I do not recommend it, you are fine to use CAN Bus LEDs in a socket that is not monitored by the BECU. It will run HOT which is counter productive of switching to LED. It won't throw off the computer but the bulb will die sooner. The only thing that separates CAN Bus LEDs to regular is circuitry to match the watts/amperage to the stock bulb.

I run LEDs everywhere it is not monitored by the ECU on all my cars and for NX200t, wired load resistors so I could run white LEDs on the turn signals.

 

Hello Lexuswiz, thank you for your help. I just want to see if I understand this correctly. My car does have CAN Bus but not the circuitry to the high beams. That is why I do not get the light out warning on my dash. I can run LEDs and that it should be CAN bus ready not LEDs without CAN Bus. Will the lights running hot have the possibility of any electrical damage? Or possibility of catching anything on fire?
I’m thinking this may not be worth the chance of any damage and just sticking with the halogens. However, I do drive over a half hour every night on country roads and the LEDs would be nice.
Although my understanding may be a little off I’m just attempting to get a better feel of the situation. Once again I thank you for your help.

 

Correct, the high beams are not monitored by the BECU. For the front lights only the turn signals will throw an error light as far as I know.

I have not heard any issues with electrical or fires from this case you mention, but not to say it will not happen. I have heard many stories of cheap LEDs shorting and some even catching fire, not to scare you but the reality of it.

But I have news you want to hear, I have LEDs in my RX330's high beams. LOVE THEM, super bright. But for me to do this I had to disable the DRLs so it would not flicker from the PWM. You can also use big capacitors sold as decoders but this will run your LEDs at full power as the DRL which is not good.

 

Hello Lexuswiz,
I had my DRLs turned off at the Toyota dealer with the Techstream (very nice guy did it for free).
If I understand you correctly you are using CAN Bus ready LEDs. I think I’ll give it a shot and just make sure I get a decent set.
thank you
Pepp

 

I run plain 9005 LEDs for my high beam they are not CAN Bus/Error Free LEDs. If you do try the CAN Bus ones, please keep us updated!

 

Hello,
I’m having difficulty finding non CAN Bus lights. Only ones I could find are the following LEDs on Amazon.
i would value your opinion on these or if you could recommend a set.


thank you (again)
Pepp

 

The attached link on previous message shows a different set of lights(?) I could not fink a link for these bulbs so just copied them. They are located on Amazon.

Car Work Box 9005 LED Headlight Bulbs, 20000LM 120W 6000K Extremely Bright HB3 CSP Chips Conversion Kit

thank you

I

 

The bulbs you linked are fine and non-CAN Bus, in the details it says: "5. 100% plug and play, can be installed in 15 minutes on your own (NOT CAN-BUS ready for these led headlight bulbs)."

I personally like Lasfit, but this is up to you.

 

Hello Lexuswiz,
thought you might want to see what I decided on.
i can’t thank you enough for all your help.

 

Hello Lexuswiz,
I have my new LEDs but have not installed them yet.
By coincidence today I had a warning light on my dash of a car with lights on it. I looked and here I have a tail light out. I read if I get the warning light on my dash it means I have Can bus. I didn’t think I had the light because a couple months ago I saw I had a parking light out and no warning on dash. Before I attempt to install my lights does this change anything about they may be Can bus?
Pepp

 

As I mentioned before, you car for sure has CAN Bus. But the system does not monitor all bulbs, only certain ones like the turn signals (all 4) and the rear brake and rear running lights.

If it brings peace of mind, I have LEDs in my high beam/DRL, front running lights, reverse, license plates, and full interior with no issues. But I will not put LEDs into the turns or rear brake and rear running as those will throw errors without load resistors or special relays.

 

I am now 100% confident with replacing my high beams and having the correct bulbs. I’m having the headlights replaced with “new” ones next week. Between that and the LEDs it should make a huge difference. Already running Osram 6000k for the HIDs. Again, thank you

 

Glad to help, enjoy the new lights! I have the Osram 7000K Cool Blue Boost installed too which I forgot to mention. Amazing color and light output for such a blue bulb but also the most I've ever paid for HID bulbs.

Next up full RGB LED retro on my NX.

 

I’m sure you have plenty of connections but want to pass along this info. I purchased two OEM crystal clear like new headlights with HID & AFS for around $160 each and two like new OEM fog lights for $170 for the set.Seller is “Superiorbody” (100% rating) on eBay. Deals mostly with Lexus and Toyota. Hope this helps