This is a great site that I used to help me change the brake pads on my wife’s Lexus.

Now, her third brake light is out, and I need help to determine how to repair it. The dashboard indicator light is on.

How do I determine if it is the light bar that is burned out (I believe it is an LED bar), and not some component in the braking “system”. If I can determine that it is the light bar that needs to be replaced, then does anyone have a source to purchase a replacement, and instructions on how to replace it?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

LuoLong

 

Not that hard to do.
Trim piece is held by 2 metal clips.
It might get stuck in the door so you have to take it off and transfer it to the trim upon install.
Then push down from the top of the light assy. ant it should pop out.

 

If it's the braking system, the "BRAKE" light would come on, not the light-out light. There are two separate indicators. Great posting by NAD1370, that's pretty much it for replacing the bulb. If you are thinking of replacing the incand. bulb with LED, you'll need to put a resistor in parallel or you'll get the light-out indicator still.

 

There is one little trick involved with clips as the trip piece goes back. On the left side, there is "L" shaped clip. Since the trip snaps in or out, the "L" shaped clip needs to be on the trunk lid. Other clips can be either on the trim or on the trunk. Since the trunk metal is hollow, exercise care, you dont want the clips to drop in there. If you do drop them, you will have to buy a new one and live with the rattle or fish it out.

Early models had a light bulb and some where Lexus switched to LED bar.

Salim

 

I have a 2002 and it is still a bulb.

 

Nad1370, you should put a link to this in our DIY thread here, https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...x300-diys.html

 

I was about to say that I don't think the 1st gen RX ever got the LED bar. I think it wasn't until 2004 when the 2nd gen came out that they got the LED bar. Otherwise, I would have switched the sucker over a long time ago with replacement... I've never seen a 1st gen RX with the LED 3rd light.

 

Thanks Nad1370, your images worked great, and I checked the bulb...it was loose, not even burned out. Also, thanks to the others that posted, as those of you that posted it was not an LED were correct - it was a bulb.

So, her RX 300 failed state inspection because of this light being out. The repair shop told me, on the phone while they still had her car, that it was a $40 LED that needed to be replaced. They are under new owners, and their mecahnics know I do all the basic repairs on our cars. I guess I need to find a new repair shop...too bad 'cause it is close to our house.

Thanks again to all!

LuoLong

 

Many thanks for this post. I have finally resolved the bulb out warning indicator. I let my local mechanic replace this particular bulb last week after detecting that the third brake light was not illuminating. Still could not get rid of the warning light on dash panel. Finally decided to go to Napa and purchase a bulb that was listed in Owner's manual (#921) I believe. Anyway, I followed instructions here to access the bulb and once I had the bulb removed, I immediately saw that the mechanic had put in a different series bulb. I replaced it with the #921 bulb and VOILA the display light is gone! Thanks for all the insight this forum and members provide. It's worth a million dollars. And since I did it myself ( a non-mechanic type) I have the added satisfaction of successfully completing this task and saving shop time and dollars.

 

I don't do much auto repair, but when I do I look here for advice first. I also would love to have this in the DIY as I did this repair in February and used a YouTube video as my guide. YouTube has a series of videos on almost all bulb replacements plus other minor maintenance for the RX300.

http://www.carcarekiosk.com/videos/Lexus/RX300/2002

 

I know this is an old post but does anyone know how to tighten the connectors where the bulb sits? Seems like it's loose. TIA

 

Unplug the connector
Twist out the bulb socket out of the assembly.
Gently pry the contacts closer.
Insert bulb and if it still seems loose, take the bulb out and keep prying till its snug.

Dang this was an old post. lol

 

The socket itself is replaceable and has always been in stock at my dealer.