Multiple Warning Lights Options

[trevenarj]

I have a 2005 Lexus 330 that is driven primarily by my wife. Recently, she has noticed that the following warning lights will suddenly illuminate with no audio alarm: BRAKE, ABS, VSC, TRAK OFF and the TIRE PRESSURE indicator. The car seems to operate normally and then the lights will go off. This was infrequent at first, but now seems more to be occuring more often. We have owned the car less than one year and it has about 55K miles. I have added brake fluid, but the level was acceptable. Is this an ABS module going south? Any other ideas? Does anyone know of anyone that rebuilds the modules for this car?

Thanks in advance!

[jgr7]

have you checked the Battery?

[trevenarj]

have you checked the Battery?

Not yet. That was my thought because I remember our Sienna van doing crazy things when the battery was dying. Do you suggest that this will go away if I remove and restore the cables, or that the battery is going bad?

[jgr7]

It could be either one. I would have the battery load tested, also cleaning the battery cable clamps never hurts.

[mikey00]

This is a common problem on a 2005 RX. It is a faulty brake light switch. There is a TSB on it.

[trevenarj]

This is a common problem on a 2005 RX. It is a faulty brake light switch. There is a TSB on it.

Sorry, but what is a "TSB?"

Thanks

[1990LS400]

This is a common problem on a 2005 RX. It is a faulty brake light switch. There is a TSB on it.

Sorry, but what is a "TSB?"

TSB = "Technical Service Bulletin". Toyota uses the term "Technical Service Information Bulletin" or TSIB.

I seached the TSIB list for the 05 RX in the Chilton online system (usually complete) and I don't see a TSIB for the brake light switch on the 05 RX.

I feel like a "broken record" since I seem to be giving the same advice over and over .... if the problem is not obvious (e.g. a failing battery), take your car to a repair shop or store (Autozone?) that has an ODBI reader and see if there are any stored error codes -- sure beats guessing and blindly replacing parts.

[trevenarj]

This is a common problem on a 2005 RX. It is a faulty brake light switch. There is a TSB on it.

Sorry, but what is a "TSB?"

TSB = "Technical Service Bulletin". Toyota uses the term "Technical Service Information Bulletin" or TSIB.

I seached the TSIB list for the 05 RX in the Chilton online system (usually complete) and I don't see a TSIB for the brake light switch on the 05 RX.

I feel like a "broken record" since I seem to be giving the same advice over and over .... if the problem is not obvious (e.g. a failing battery), take your car to a repair shop or store (Autozone?) that has an ODBI reader and see if there are any stored error codes -- sure beats guessing and blindly replacing parts.

Thanks. I thought of using the ODBI reader, but assumed that the car's computer stores information for a "check engine soon" warning only. These issues can also generate a code?

[1990LS400]

Thanks. I thought of using the ODBI reader, but assumed that the car's computer stores information for a "check engine soon" warning only. These issues can also generate a code?

Codes can be stored for other than just engine problems. You might as well see if any codes have been stored. Your RX is very low mileage -- doubtful that anything major has gone bad.

[mikey00]

One more time: This is a common problem on 2005 RX. It is the brake light switch. The TSB may be listed as a 2004 but many have had this problem on a 2005 and repaired it with the brake light switch.

[1990LS400]

One more time: This is a common problem on 2005 RX. It is the brake light switch. The TSB may be listed as a 2004 but many have had this problem on a 2005 and repaired it with the brake light switch.

mikey, I've checked several TSB/TSIB websites including NHTSA and I can not find one about the brake light switch on either the 2004 or 2005 RX.

Could you please help trevenarj out and 1) upload a scanned copy of the TSB, or 2) supply a link to where it can be viewed online, or 3) supply the TSB/TSIB number and, if you have it, the issue date?

[mikey00]

Text from NHTSA website:

Make: LEXUS Model: RX330
Model Year: 2004
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: NOV 18, 2004
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 04V558000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Potential Number of Units Affected: 183090

This may not apply directly to trevenarj's 2005 but what I am saying is that many 05 owners have reported the exact same problem that he is having and have fixed it with this switch replacement.

[trevenarj]

Text from NHTSA website:

Make: LEXUS Model: RX330
Model Year: 2004
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: NOV 18, 2004
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 04V558000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Potential Number of Units Affected: 183090

This may not apply directly to trevenarj's 2005 but what I am saying is that many 05 owners have reported the exact same problem that he is having and have fixed it with this switch replacement.

Thanks.

I used a computer to read the ABS codes and, sure enough, it is the brake light switch ("stop light switch" on the computer read out). I called the dealer about the TSB. I was under the understanding that this is like a recall and would be repaired at no cost. I was told otherwise; the TSB just means that an improved part has replaced the original. Is that correct?