I am new here so go easy , I bought this 2010 from craigslist a few days ago and it drives great . Thought I got a killer deal for 6,000 but it turns out the multimedia switch is not working and mirrors don't defrost . I figure starting with a check of all the fuses and a trip to auto zone to use their code scanner and see what codes show up and what else might be wrong with the car . Most everything else seams to be working correctly . Any advice or tips on what to look for after making sure the fuses are ok .

 

Welcome to CL. Watch this video to confirm you are correctly operating the switch. I assume you mean the steering wheel switch.
I would not sweat the heated mirror issue, however, please more specifically identify which multi switch is the issue and what else does not appear to work.
Does Nav work? Does it have Nav? Does the radio work? etc.
Go to the Lexus Driver site, join for free and enter the VIN to see the build sheet and the dealer service history:
https://www.lexus.com/drivers/account/create-account
How many miles are on it?
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Hey thanks for the tip on the vin number check for prior dealer service logs . It has 150,000 miles and the voice navigation works correctly the radio and CD works fine, climate controls work fine , the door locks and electric seat and steering wheel work as they should i can access all the features within the joy stick on the center console . The controls for the radio on the steering wheel work ..... but the enter button and what they might call the page button seam to be inop . I did not receive any books like the owners manual so i have been online youtube searching for instructions that helped me so for with the operation of the vehicle . Up on the dash it only shows current cruising range , when i push the 4wd lock button or the traction control button on the center console then it changes and those features and allows me to turn them off and on . The AFS light is lit up and listed as being off , and i have a TPSM light flashing then on solid so it might be a battery on the wheel sensors . other then that it looks good and drives nice . It is on 19 inch Michelin , back up camera , and i think parking assist . I see a rain sensing wiper unit up on the center of windshield but have not checked to see if it works correctly yet . I was told it recently had some struts and shocks spark plugs and coils . The oil was nice and clear air filter was clean but the cabin filter was filthy so a new one along with some LED lights and HID lights are on the way . The current lights work but in my opinion kinda weak I like a lot of light on the roadway .

 

That sounds like a very nice vehicle with the expensive maintenance already done. Searching around here and reading the sticky threads will help you learn more about the RX.
A few things to note.
The Lexus Drivers Site has all the owners manuals online. I think you can even download them.
A tire store or repair shop can scan your TPMS sensors to find the bad one. If you need tires that is the best time to replace them. If not the cheapest place to do all 4 is Costco. Even with their membership fee! It is around $250 there for all 4. Some other shops quote over $500. Look around. Make sure they program the sensors to the vehicle after installation or they won't work.

The 4wd lock only works up to 20 miles per hour. It is for getting out of the mud or snow drifts.

Your headlights are HID, they will go up and down when started because there is a load level sensor and if the AFS is turned on. And turn a bit going around corners. Look at the vehicle build sheet at the Lexus Drivers Site.

You have HID headlights because you have the AFS button. You will get the best night vision with new HID bulbs because the housings are
designed to reflect those bulbs. The HID bulbs fade over time and new ones will be much brighter. Also if your AFS load level sensor is broken (it is on the rear suspension, passenger side) or a headlight leveling motor is broken, your lights will not point in the right place and give you crap night vision that no new bulbs will help. You need to repair the AFS issue. There are threads here that discuss is, do some searching if you have problems, or look for an indpendent Toyota/Lexus specialist shop on Yelp or Google.

You can even find whiter color temp if you want. The OEM HID bulbs is a Philips D4S and Amazon has them. There are other manufacturers, and installation tips on this forum and youtube.


This link explains the AFS light. It means the Adaptive Lighting System has a problem. This indicates you have HID headlights - to repeat myself.

https://thehonestmechaniccolorado.com/lexus-afs-light/

Or maybe nothing is wrong and you just need to turn them back on. I hope that is all you need.

 

i found a thread that said discount tire will scan the wheels to find the sensor that is causing the light , could even be the spare tire . I will first make sure all are set to 35 psi and hit the reset button that is somewhere under the dash . My AFS on / off is supposed to be controlled thru thru the page button and enter button , along with the snow mode eco mode and parking assist . The switch next to my fuel door switch is the rear door open / close . In the past i have opened the TPMS up and replaced the batteries that i got from Jameco Electronics , saved a lot of money and did not have to reprogram them . I would have to break a tire bead and take one out and see what they have inside . there are 4 bulbs 2 D4S HID Bulbs that will stay the same just new ones .... and 2 9005 that will soon be 100 watt LED's . i think also some small running lights that i need to see what number and type they are to change to LED's

 

I found some threads on their screens went blank but nothing yet on why mine is stuck on cruise range , it will not change with the enter button or page button . The cruise range numbers went up upon adding fuel , and i can get it to change by selecting traction control and 4 wheel lock switches . I;m still looking and maybe you can answer another question ? I need to look to see if the oil cooler lines in lower front have been changed and do that if the rubber ones are there , but is there another line behind the engine that needs to be done also ?
THANKS Eddie

 

I tried LED fog light bulbs on my HS250h and it was too bright! Other drivers were not happy. So pay attention once the are installed.
Maybe get some electrical contact spray cleaner and spray that switch while working it and hope that may fix it. You can get a used steering wheel on eBay for $100. Or just replace those switches which are also on eBay, or find new ones at one of the onine OEM sources such as MyLParts, or LexusPartsNow.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/26614226359...Bk9SR8iCvvDfYQ
A body shop can install it and swap your airbag over to the new used wheel. Get a few quotes for the job. Airbags are very tricky.


The Lexus Drivers Site will identify if your RX has the tow package. Only those with the tow package have the oil cooler and the stupid rubber lines. You do need to inspect to see if they were replaced. You need to lay under the front of the car and look up near the oil filter. There are threads here and youtube videos about replacing it with the metal ones. I replaced mine myself, but have been doing my own repairs for decades. The trick is that not only the nuts have to be removed, but a couple of the studs to give enough wiggle room to remove it. A small Torx socked will fit over the studs to let them be unscrewed. The OEM lines are under $100. eBay has them, same with the VVTi line.
It is an easy repair a local indepedent shop can do, same with the VVTi


And this video from the Car Care Nut on youtube, he also identifies the VVTi pipe. He is a Toyota Master Tech with many great videos on maintenance etc.


The other one is the VVT ioil line on the rear passenger side of the motor. You can do some searching here using VVT to learn more.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...pipe-hose.html
There are youtube videos regarding the Lexus/Toyota 3.5 V6 engine VVTi.
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With the car on or in accessory mode, hold the menu button and fully rotate the headlight **** back and forth three or four times. This will bring up the service menu in the centre console. Go to function check/settings and then Panel & Steering switch. From there you can test the individual buttons on your steering wheel for a signal. If you get no response on the screen when testing individual buttons you probably need a new spiral cable unless the switch itself is broken somehow.

 

Thank You T hat will help narrow it down . cause the screen is working it will change when i hit the 4wd lock or traction control switches ....... and the radio control switches on steering wheel along with the voice command switch on the wheel are working I have not tried the phone switches yet . so most likely the cable you said or the switches are bad . THANK YOU

 

Update ... I found the trouble it was operator error ! I pressed the menu button ' and held it down ' and it all works just like it is supposed to ! Cool I also found the oil cooler line has been replaced with the all metal line so the only thing left to do is the tpms light is flashing then solid so i guess it is time to replace them . Are the ones on ebay worth getting or will they go south in a few years and back to replacing them again ? I was wondering if i could go a larger size tire say 255 55 19 and not have a clearance issue or maybe 245 55 19 ?

 

I'm glad you solved the controls dilemma!

You want 255/50/19 as that is the same diameter as the original tires. That is what I am running. See my signature. It is a common size also used by BMW and easy to find lots of different tires.
Buying your own TPMS may not be helpful because the tires have to be at least partly removed from the wheel to swap the TPMS and then they have to be programmed to the vehicle.
Of couse changing them when you buy new tires is the best way as you save on labor.
At least buy brand name TPMS from a reputable seller like Rock Auto. Or maybe get a deal from your tire store. Or try Costco. Even with the yearly membership fee, it may be cheaper. You can price the tires online.
I got just the TPMS from Costco a few years ago for about $230. It is probably more now. A local shop wanted almost twice that amount!
Or try Tire Rack and talk to them about TPMS and whether to get the TPMS from Tire Rack or the local installer.