vicsis250

That will be the 3rd brake light above the truck inside the cars back window.

jay33

No I'm talking about the rear brake lights in the trunk

10suxel02

2001 LS430 with tail light warning.

After reading the suggestions, I found what I thought would be the answer to the tail light warning on the instrument panel. WRONG! Still puzzled and would like some more ideas.

I did find a loose bulb socket (in the hole but not tightened) on the left tail light. Mounting it correctly did not eliminate the warning.

Found the third brake light burned and blackened. Replaced it with the 7440LL upgrade but it did not eliminate the warning (This bulb sure gets hot)

Backed up against the garage wall to see if I could see both brake lights working, and they seem to be.

What next?

sajack

Did you check the tail lights and the tail and brake lights at the same time?

10suxel02

Thanks for the guidance.

Well, in testing all the lights for the fifth time, I actually put something heavy on the brake instead of looking at the reflections on the garage wall, and sure enough, the passenger rear brake light was dim. I took it out and found that it is indeed a double element, with one of the elements burned out and a black spot on the bulb. It is currently a 7443 bulb, so I will replace it with the same.

In the end, the warning light was good up to about three days ago, when it came on. Since then I have found the third brake light completely burned out, the right rear brake light half burned out and the left rear brake light loose from its socket. Is this bulb burnout thing going to be an ongoing problem with my 2001 LS430?

sajack

Eleven year-old bulbs most likely. At $4.50 per bulb, it may get expensive, but I think I would replace all of them.