trhs75

For a few months, my daughter's 99RX300 has had a front side (bumper) light out. Recently, a rear side one went out, also. I've been waiting to find the time to dismantle the bumper covers to fix things, but now the "bulb out" indicator in the dash has lit up. I don't know if this happened exactly when the second bulb went out or not. All front and rear lights and signals work, so I know they're OK. Is the dash indicator supposed to register when these little side markers aren't working, or could something else be going on?

salimshah

RX does not have full (all) monitoring of bulbs. The bumper mounted ones can be reached from behind.

Although bulbs can go out, but for exposed to elements bulbs, the connector gets rusted. When you replace the bulb, get the grease for electrical connectors to prevent moisture accumulation.

Salim

bob2200

I had one of my front marker lights go out a few months ago. It did not trigger a warning indicator. I discovered that the plastic housing was full of water. There is a good seal where the bulb socket connects, so it may be the seal between the inside and outside pieces of the marker assembly.

There is an intermediate connector that the bulb plugs into that plugs into the connector on the wiring harness. The contacts that mate with the bulb were badly corroded, so I bought a replacement piece at the dealer. I also drilled a drain hole in the bottom of the marker light assembly (but didnt hunt to see where the leak was). I figured if it lasted 7 years, it may go another 7 or more with the drain hole.

mikey00

Are you sure it's not your high mounted rear center brake light that is not working? This one often causes the indicator and is easily overlooked.
Here is a how to on changing the side marker bulbs:
http://rx300how2.home.comcast.net/~r...de_markers.htm

trhs75

I don't know why I forgot about that one. Sure enough, that bulb was out. The indicator went out when I replaced the bulb this afternoon. Thanks for all the input, everyone!

siestaguy

I've had this problem for years on my 1999 RX30 because I can't figure out which bulb is causing this. It only happens when the headlights & markers are on. I have checked the brake lights (including the high mounted one), all side markers, all turn signals, the license plate lights, reverse lights. I thought that maybe it's an obscure light like in the glove compartment, but I couldn't find a light bulb in there. I've replaced all the marker light assemblies (socket, reflector, etc) because some were filled with water or were sun-faded. I welcome any suggestions others may have other than removing the bulb out indicator light.

salimshah

The instrument cluster has multiple warning lamps. The best process is to open the owners manual and find which warning lamp is lit up.

Here in the forum the threads get crossed ..,, and the discussion goes all over the place.

From the siestaguy's post it seems like, the auto leveling for the HIDs has gone bad. DO you have Hids?

Again please refer to the owner's manual.

Salim

siestaguy

My 1999 RX300 doesn't have HID lamps. The "Bulb out" Indicator is on and all bulbs appear to be working correctly. The challenge is identifying the source of what is causing the "Bulb Out" indicator to be on.

trhs75

Is this the kind of thing that can ever be diagnosed with the OBD reader? That may be a silly question, but just a thought....

Lexmex

At least with our RX300s, not that I am aware of, as I don't remember seeing anything in the codes like that.

herbvdh

When you replaced the bad bulb you used a different type of bulb thereby causing the indicator to light up. A neighbor went through this on his Toyota Avalon till he got the correct bulb installed he had no more trouble with it. I remember him telling me something about the contacts of the bulb.