What is this light on my dashboard?
10-22-06, 08:58 PM
#1
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What is this light on my dashboard?
I've noticed that I had this light on my dashboard everytime I drive... before it would only come on when I turned my lights on (and it would go off when I turned it off). However, since then I have installed 1997 Tail Lights on my 1993 SC400 and now it's on ALL the time. All my lights in the back work (brake, reverse, signal, etc). Any idea why this light is always on, what it is, and how to fix it? Here's a pic...
Oh and ever since I put my 1997 Tail Lights in, whenever I use my signal the blinker blinks twice as fast then the normal, like 4 times a second as opposed to like 2 times a second. How do I reset it so it blinks normally?
Oh and ever since I put my 1997 Tail Lights in, whenever I use my signal the blinker blinks twice as fast then the normal, like 4 times a second as opposed to like 2 times a second. How do I reset it so it blinks normally?
10-22-06, 09:07 PM
#2
It means a tail light bulb is out. With the '97 tails it thinks there is always a bulb out, hence the light and the fast blink. I think the fix is a LED load resistor as stated here: Fast Blinker Feature Removed?
10-23-06, 09:27 PM
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thanks for the info on this post.. i have 97+ tailights too and have the same issue with the cluster light and super fast flashing turn signals. i may have to give this a try
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03-22-07, 02:22 PM
#9
Also a very good explanation that is from another thread linked to in the above.
A few things to keep in mind when troubleshooting these problems:
1. Bulbs that look alike may not necessarily be alike. Bulb types 158, 161, 168, 192 and 194 all look the same and are rated to operate at 14.0V, but have different lifetimes and current draws. The Lexus owner’s manual is a good place to check before buying replacements since it lists the type of bulb used in each location.
2. As bulbs age, the filament wires get thinner due to evaporation of the tungsten from their surfaces. This thinning reduces the current flow through the filament which could eventually cause the total current flow through the tail lamp bulbs to drop below the point where the tail lamp fault indicator is triggered. Also, as you may have seen happen with lights in your home, the filament can break and then re-attach creating an intermittent open circuit which sometimes the fault indicator to come on when driving over bumps.
3. Bulbs have a rated lifetime based on the results of tests to determine their mean time between failure (MTBF). Chances are that if six new bulbs were originally installed in the tail lamp assemblies and at some future point one of the bulbs burns out, the remaining bulbs are likely to burn out within a relatively short span of time. That’s why it makes sense to change them all at the same time or expect to be changing them one by one over a period of several months.
1. Bulbs that look alike may not necessarily be alike. Bulb types 158, 161, 168, 192 and 194 all look the same and are rated to operate at 14.0V, but have different lifetimes and current draws. The Lexus owner’s manual is a good place to check before buying replacements since it lists the type of bulb used in each location.
2. As bulbs age, the filament wires get thinner due to evaporation of the tungsten from their surfaces. This thinning reduces the current flow through the filament which could eventually cause the total current flow through the tail lamp bulbs to drop below the point where the tail lamp fault indicator is triggered. Also, as you may have seen happen with lights in your home, the filament can break and then re-attach creating an intermittent open circuit which sometimes the fault indicator to come on when driving over bumps.
3. Bulbs have a rated lifetime based on the results of tests to determine their mean time between failure (MTBF). Chances are that if six new bulbs were originally installed in the tail lamp assemblies and at some future point one of the bulbs burns out, the remaining bulbs are likely to burn out within a relatively short span of time. That’s why it makes sense to change them all at the same time or expect to be changing them one by one over a period of several months.
03-22-07, 04:23 PM
#12
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i have the same problem--- but if i stop the car , remove the ley and start the car again light is off lol
my sc is just making sure i pay attention to her
--
i tell ya girls will always tease
lol
my sc is just making sure i pay attention to her
-- i tell ya girls will always tease
lol
03-22-07, 04:25 PM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
When the car starts, the light is ALWAYS off. It comes on after the brake pedal is pushed for the first time.
Last edited by np20412; 03-22-07 at 04:59 PM.
03-22-07, 07:04 PM
#14
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Try using only OEM Lexus bulbs from the dealership. I had the same problem on my car when I bought some cheep bulbs from Auto-zone. It costs around $90 for all the new bulbs for both rear taillights, but the yellow dash light turned off... finally.
