1999 LS 400 Taillamp Failure
#1
6th Gear
Thread Starter
1999 LS 400 Taillamp Failure
My '99 LS400 has a Taillamp Failure message coming on as soon as I touch the brake pedal. The outer bottom bulb (only bulb on outer end of the harness) is out on both sides. I have replaced both bulbs but still doesn't light up or change message. Likely issue? Find it weird that both are out and if I didn't know it was out I would never have noticed. All actions seem to be working (brake, turn, backup) so not even sure what it is for.
#4
Moderator
My '99 LS400 has a Taillamp Failure message coming on as soon as I touch the brake pedal. The outer bottom bulb (only bulb on outer end of the harness) is out on both sides. I have replaced both bulbs but still doesn't light up or change message. Likely issue? Find it weird that both are out and if I didn't know it was out I would never have noticed. All actions seem to be working (brake, turn, backup) so not even sure what it is for.
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tu2 (02-19-24)
#5
6th Gear
Thread Starter
I had replaced the back window brake light bulbs first and both are working. I'm assume that there is an independent circuit board for each side? Don't know why bulbs one each side would be off simultaneously though.
#6
Moderator
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#8
6th Gear
Thread Starter
OK...problem resolved. After checking the circuit board and not finding any issues. I found a thread that talked about double checking the 3rd brake light bulbs even if they were working. Sure enough the replacement bulbs that I had installed which were recommended by my local auto parts store worked but were not the correct bulb listed for my Lexus. I bought correct bulbs at W Mart and now warning message is gone. Thanks for your help everyone!
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tu2 (02-19-24)
#9
Pole Position
OK...problem resolved. After checking the circuit board and not finding any issues. I found a thread that talked about double checking the 3rd brake light bulbs even if they were working. Sure enough the replacement bulbs that I had installed which were recommended by my local auto parts store worked but were not the correct bulb listed for my Lexus. I bought correct bulbs at W Mart and now warning message is gone. Thanks for your help everyone!
You should always do your own research online to get correct part numbers before going into one of the chain store part stores. Most of the kids working there don't really care if you get what you need, they just want ya outta there so they can get back to playing their games.
#10
OK...problem resolved. After checking the circuit board and not finding any issues. I found a thread that talked about double checking the 3rd brake light bulbs even if they were working. Sure enough the replacement bulbs that I had installed which were recommended by my local auto parts store worked but were not the correct bulb listed for my Lexus. I bought correct bulbs at W Mart and now warning message is gone. Thanks for your help everyone!
#11
Check the fuses (in the driver footwell) and the licence plate illumination light.
The amber side markers on the front bumper are also on the same circuit as the license plate light and the tail lamps (tail lamps are different than brake lights, the latter of which come on when you hit the brakes).
The amber side markers on the front bumper are also on the same circuit as the license plate light and the tail lamps (tail lamps are different than brake lights, the latter of which come on when you hit the brakes).
#12
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
Can you share what size and watt bulb you ended up using? I'm having the same issue. Looked up the bulb size and it says it should be a 921 so I bought some Sylvania 921 long life bulbs and they work but i still get the 'tail lamp failure' message. The only difference I can see between it and the original OEM bulb is the Sylvania is 17.9 watts and the OEM is 16 watts. Not sure if that would make a difference or not.
if you're still getting the failure, check to see if any of the running (parking) lights are also functional. it is not just the brake lights the system finds that fail.
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tu2 (02-21-24)
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gerbjones
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