98 LS Cluster lights question... not what you think!
11-01-08, 03:41 PM
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98 LS Cluster lights question... not what you think!
Ok it started raining in SF bay area while driving I turned the head lamps on during the day. Cali now requires headlamps if the wipers are on. I suddenly noticed the my cluster lights dim and come back. Happened twice and I just caught a glimpse of it. All sorts of thoughts about soldering and circuit boards came to my head. I just bought the car and I have to do the 90K service, ball joints, brakes and struts. I am thinking not one more thing to the list.
Then I realized it only happened when I drove under a bridge. It appears that the sensor detects the dark shadow under the bridge and dimmed the lights. I would come back when it got out of the shadow into the brightness.
Only did this with the headlamps "On" not in "Auto".
Is that normal? Why is the light sensor doing stuff if the lamp is not in Auto?
Then I realized it only happened when I drove under a bridge. It appears that the sensor detects the dark shadow under the bridge and dimmed the lights. I would come back when it got out of the shadow into the brightness.
Only did this with the headlamps "On" not in "Auto".
Is that normal? Why is the light sensor doing stuff if the lamp is not in Auto?
Last edited by oarnura; 11-01-08 at 03:43 PM. Reason: typo
11-02-08, 03:00 PM
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I guess it is just too sensitive if a tiny pedestrian bridge's shadow on the freeway triggers it at 70 Mph in a matter of a few seconds of shade.
It just surprised me that's all and made me think the dreaded dashboard light failure was happening to my car.
Thanks for the clarification.
11-03-08, 01:32 AM
#6
Most cars turn on the dash board light if the head lamps are turned ON. Lexus uses an illuminated dash during the day. It makes sense that they switch the dash lighting to night mode using a sensor regardless of the headlight switch position.
I guess it is just too sensitive if a tiny pedestrian bridge's shadow on the freeway triggers it at 70 Mph in a matter of a few seconds of shade.
It just surprised me that's all and made me think the dreaded dashboard light failure was happening to my car.
Thanks for the clarification.
I guess it is just too sensitive if a tiny pedestrian bridge's shadow on the freeway triggers it at 70 Mph in a matter of a few seconds of shade.
It just surprised me that's all and made me think the dreaded dashboard light failure was happening to my car.
Thanks for the clarification.
11-03-08, 01:29 PM
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I dont think I've seen a burned needled on a 98+ before. So dont worry about that issue, as your home free. The only thing you do have to worry about is the fuel reseting since you last refilled, which is an issue with most 98's. To fix, you have to replace the fueling sending unit. Most people dont care about that issue anyways.
Other than a slight leak in then rear struts, slight brake and steering shimmy the car drives perfectly.
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