nycguy25

Does anyone know if ALL of the dashboard warning lights on the RX are supposed to light up briefly for a couple seconds when the engine is started?
(Most cars do this just to let the driver know that the warning lights are working OK.)

On my 2005 RX330, all of the indicators do light up briefly, EXCEPT for the AFS headlight malfunction warning light at the top of the odometer dial (just next to the "8" number), even though the RX330 owner's manual says that this one is also supposed to light briefly.

Has anyone else noticed this on their RX when they start the engine?

I'm just wondering whether my AFS HID headlight system has a problem or not, or whether the warning light is blown out.

Grumpa72

I just went out and checked my '05 RX and the AFS light comes on for a second or two before going out when the key is placed to run. So, it appears you may have a problem.

Gary

salimshah

The problem can be as benign as a blown bulb (most likely,otherwise for a real problem the bulb would stay lit).

Salim

nycguy25

Thanks much for the confirmation about the indicator light.

I stopped by the dealer and they did a quick check. Apparently the problem was a blown control board in the dash instrument cluster, so the dealer has ordered a new one. Hopefully should arrive in a few days.

At least with a fixed indicator, I'll be able to tell in case there's ever a malfunction in the future.

nycguy25

Well, after making another trip to the dealer, it looks like we finally solved the mystery about the dashboard indicators on the RX ...
Apparently the 2004 RX 330 and 2005 RX 330 behave differently (even though they are basically identically designed vehicles).

For 2004 models, the AFS malfunction indicator on the dash DOES come on for 2 - 3 seconds when the ignition is first turned on (at least for 3 different 2004 RX 330's which were at the dealer).

For 2005 models, the AFS malfunction indicator DOES NOT come on for 2 - 3 seconds when the ignition is first turned on (for both my 2005 RX 330 and a couple other 2005's at the dealer).

(BTW, I'm referring to the AFS leveling malfunction indicator next to the number "8" on the tachometer, NOT the AFS OFF indicator when you press the AFS disable button on the dash. These are 2 separate AFS indicators on the instrument cluster).

I have no idea why Lexus would change the dash indicator behavior from 2004 to 2005, seems a bit strange to me. Personally I would prefer the 2004 behavior, since at least that would notify the driver whether the indicator bulb/LED is blown or if there is some other malfunction in the system. Also, the 2005 RX owner's manual says that the light is supposed to come on (like the 2004 behavior), so I suspect this was some kind of inadvertent change introduced in 2005.

If anyone happens to have a 2004 or 2005 RX which behaves differently than the above pattern, let us know, so at least we'll know whether this behavior is consistent for all the RX's in the same model year.

2004RX330

Reply#2 already mentioned that he has a 05 and the light was on when start up.

nycguy25

It's possible that some folks may have been confused between the "AFS OFF" indicator and the AFS malfunction indicator (shaped like a headlamp, just to the right of the "8" on the tachometer).

The indicator that seems to be behaving differently between the 2004 and 2005 RX models is the AFS malfunction indicator (at least for the 5 or 6 vehicles which the local dealer tested).

So just wondering whether anyone else has observed this same behavior in their 2004 or 2005 RX models ... ?

I guess I'm not going to worry about it too much ... as long as the AFS malfunction indicator doesn't come on while I'm diriving, I'll assume the 2005 system is working OK (even though it's hard to tell whether the indicator light is actually working or not).