One of the Headlights did not work when I bought my RX 330. I had the Xenon bulb replaced and the headlight still does not work. The dealership said it's probably the headlight computer...it would cost around $1,000. Does anyone know anything about this? Can someone other than the dealership change the computer? Thanks

 

Welcome to CL, kimberly!

I'm not familiar with the standard headlights on the RX 330, but I question the "headlight computer". I rather suspect a fuse or a wiring problem, if indeed the dealer actually replaced the lamp. I'd take the car to another shop and have them check it out. To my knowledge, there is no such component as a "headlight computer" on your vehicle. Unless someone else has an idea what your dealer could possibly be talking about, I'd suspect them of looking for a little "extra profit" from you.

If you are concerned that you are not getting a straight answer, call Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., EST - Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., EST. Tell them what your dealer told you. If there is a chance they might be correct, they can tell you, otherwise, they can do a little follow-up with the dealership.

 

Head light computer? Is that the same as a headlight ballast?

 

I feel as your dealer playing dumb with you. I never heard of a headlight computer.

 

Tell your dealer that your blinker fluid is low and your muffler bearings are shot. Then demand warranty replacement.

Two can play this game . . . .

 

In the RX350, there is something that aims/aligns the headlights every time you turn on the car. What is likely is that there is a $3 microprocessor at the headlights that goes thru this process. Do not know if the RX330 works the same way.

But it brings up a valid point--why are the Lexus repair costs getting SO OUT OF CONTROL? $1000 to fix ONE headlight? At the most, it should be a $200 repair, and at the best a $10 one! What the heck is going on out there in Lexus land? If this is the trend for the future, a Lexus will NOT be my next purchase! Does Lexus have a manual with "shop rates" available? You know, where they list "headlight repair: 0.4 hours labor", etc, which would be all the dealer can charge. We might have a case of going-out-of-business dealerships willing to gouge us for repairs with not recourse from us! Geez, I hope Lexus repairs do not go down the road of BMW's--so costly that people stopped buying the cars without a huge warranty.

 

The adaptive headlight computer should not cause the headlight not to light up.

 

What is the purpose of this alignment every time you start thye car. Can you please explain to me? Does any thing happen with these lights while driving? I have not noticed any thing. Can you please shed some lightson this or direct me to an article about this alignment behavior?

 

when you start the car, (and you have the adaptive headlights), they will pivot to each side 1) to self check that its working, 2) self leveling, 3) for the passenger's amusement

self leveling also takes place while your driving normally. basically, depending on the vehicle direction and height, it will changethe height of the beam so it doesnt shine onto other cars across the street. say if your driving on an upward slope, the headligt will dip lower so that its not overly high.

 

When we are driving normally, can we notice this leveling? or is it very geglegible for us to notice?

 

You can notice the up and down movement, but it depends on the road you are driving on.

 

yes, like right after you stop behind a vehicle, you can usually see the headlight (since xenons have a sharp cut off) move up or down just a bit. its hard to notice, but its there

 

Hi, I think I have the same status as Kimberly. Mine car's warranty just expired, and now it has the condensation problem at the driver side headlight. I went to the dealer to check it, they told me the samething. "We are not sure about the problem. We can arrange the Lexus specialist here to check for you, now, I can tell u that the headlight needa replace( quote ~ 700); HID bulb (~350);and the microchip computer parts (~250)." I was shocked by that. You know, that person only tells me the parts quotation, which does not even include the labor fee yet.

I was thinking, it was just a head light, which does it really cost that much. I buy the Lexus b/c of the reputation of the higher quality but paying more for services. Now, I don't know wut to do. As I read some of you guys reviews, I know some people get luckly replaced the headlight under warranty, but since mine just expired, I don't want to spend thousands to repair a light. I really want to figure out how does this thing work. Can someone tell me some kinds of solution? ThanX!

BTW, I know my lightbulb is functioning well, which the light sometimes on but sometimes does not. I was thinking about the wire lose or something, not quite sure. Any ideas, anyone? ThanX!

 

Wow, this is the 3rd post about bad headlights due to condensation on the RX330. It sounds like this problem is much more wide spread than most people realized. I wonder if there is any after alterative for the Lexus OEM HID bulb and ballast.

 

the condensation thing is quite common. happened to me once but lexus changed it on goodwill. my current one has it now, but it dried up cause we are having a hot weather/dry spell during this week