As I was driving today, I sudden saw a yellow warning light popup. CRAP! wtf's wrong now? SOME lexus quality this is?!?
The instrument cluster symbol is a car with 4 dots behind it, and not havning my manual with me I couldn't figure it out.
I finally found out that it is a warning for my rear light? the right brake light on the rear does not work anymore. Is it a bulb problem or worse?
This is only 2 weeks after my fog light went out. How easy would it be to fix it myself? and are their any 'better' bulbs out there than stock ones? and where can i get'em
any help to point me to links/instructions would be great!
thanks in advance!

 

Make sure your alternator isn't trying to overcharge the battery, and that the battery connections are really clean and making good connections.

 

If the lightbulb is your case, then I wouldn't blame Lexus for it. Light bulbs go out all the time, and with an older car more and more parts need replacing. Lexus does build quality cars.

To check/replace your rear lightbulb you have to undo the rear trim in the trunk and then unscrew the light cluster. Then you have access to the lightbulbs.

 

What is it with people trying to blame Lexus for everything. Believe it or not, tail lights do go out. I've seen NEW BMWs and Mercedes and HONDAS with dead tail light bulbs....and believe it or not, two lights can out at the same time! It's a friggin' $5 bulb, just replace the bulb...don't buy an older car and expect everything to work forever...

What year is your car? The manual will tell you how to switch out the bulbs...

 

Hehe, manaray you beat me to it, but my thoughts exxxactly...

P.S. - Knock on wood, but since i've owned my SC, I have not had a SINGLE part fail, including a tail lamp bulb!

 

I agree with my learned friends, blaming Lexus for a blown bulb is a bit rich.

On the reliability front my 1992 Twin Turbo had an autobox failure (very rare), and had to replace the turbos at 80,000mls (very common on the TT), as this all happened within the space of two weeks I was a bit pissed at the time but soon forgave.

Last year the fuel pump ECU packed up, another common fault on older cars, I am waiting for the heater to stop working as the control valve under the bonnet is another failure point on these ten year old cars, show me another car of this vintage that is anywhere near as reliable?

 

OK, i admit, i must say blaming lexus is a bit harsh. However, I do so not so much that the bulb went out but I'm frustrated because when I ask the dealer to fix/replace my bulbs they wanna charge me $100-300!
my fog lights for example I was able to replace in 20 mins.
Anyways, enough with that. but I'LL BE DARNED! Guess what happened?
I've done a lil search on the board and someone in the past recommend wacking the taillights a couple times as that MAY fix the problem (loose connection or something).
I was all ready to do that today, however, the brake light was WORKING AGAIN when I started the car! for no reason whatsoever. Hmm, not that I'm complaining since it's now working but that was weird.
Don't get me wrong, the reason I bought this car was because I think Lexus/Toyota makes the most reliable cars. This was also a certified car by the previous owner just last may. It's a 1997 and still under powertrain warranty. I guess my high expectation and costly repairs at the dealers made me CUSS and frustrated with two bulbs went out within 2 weeks of each other.

 

Very understandable. Dealership do tend to rape people even for such simple things. Changing out the tail light bulbs isn't really difficult hower. What you need to do is look inside the trunk, behind the tail lights. There should be some sort of trunk liner...just remove the liner and you should have direct access to all the lights...

I haven't done this in a SC, but I have changed out tail light bulbs on many other cars. It's not hard...buy the bulbs, and do it yourself...it's easy...

 

cool, thanks manaray.
unfortunately, my good fortune was short lived.
this morning to work, the lights are out again.
i'm sure it's some connection problem in the rear.
i was looking at the lights specs in my manual, it seems like the rear brake/stop lights are the same type bulbs (same wattage) as the reverse/backup lights.
i was wondering if i can just get those blue reverse lights on ebay and put it in the brake lights? anyone?