rockit_mon

Replaced the light switch on an ES-300 (1996). All is working except the red air bag light will not go off. Any thoughts how this can remedied? Thanks

ES-300 (1996). Excellent Vehicle. Problem: The main headlights will not go off when turning the steering column light switch to the off position. I was told by a local mechanic that the light switch is in need of replacement. Found a used one for $80.00 and $150.00 for installation. He claims the steering wheel must be removed along with other time consuming difficulties in order for the light switch to be removed/replaced. Any thoughts if this is correct or could the matter be something else? What I do know, is that when I position the light switch to the off position, the headlights remain on (a no brainier-?). I searched in the forum for an answer and found nothing. Perhaps I am using the wrong keywords. Any help and guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks

Glad to know the difference and location between the head gasket and valve cover gaskets. In my case, the valve cover gaskets are leaking. Not much, but enough to be an annoyance with smoke and coughing for the first ten minutes of driving. With that said, how many valve cover gaskets are there? Notwithstanding a rip-off Lexus dealer/mechanic, what is a reasonable total price for the replacement of all of them with an experienced mechanic? I love my 96 ES300 and want to drive it into the ground. It only has 112k and drives better than most new cars.

Thanks a bunch for the info. I was able to remove the assembly and replaced both bulbs. Price for a pack of two at Autozone, $3.84. All the best.

The Center Brake Light located on the inside of the vehicle has a left bulb burned out. I have not been able to determine how to gain access to the assembly. There must be a simple way of doing this. Upon review it seems as though the mat must come out. Surely this cannot be the case. Anyone with the same experience to guide me through this would be much appreciated.

They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. :cheers: We They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. :cheers: We They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. :cheers: We They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. :cheers: Found the problem, that not was not seen before until dusk. The brake light located in the middle of back window (interior) appears to have two bulbs and the one located on the left side is burned out. The question is how do I get access to the darn light assembly. It seems that this can only be accomplished by going under the interior matting. But I would think Lexus is smarter than this and it would just pop-out. And yet, for the life of me, I cannot figure it out. Any assistance would much appreciated. Thanks.

They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine. They don't call them idiot lights for nothing! My RLFWL comes on for no apparent reason too once in a while. It just goes on for a second though and goes out again....figure it's just a bad connection or a loose bulb or something. I would check your bulb sockets for corrosion. maybe if they are cleaned up so that there is good electrical contact, the problem will go away. I want to do the same thing on mine.

Hi all..been a while since visiting the forum. Glad I am back. This time around the Rear Light Failure Warning Light will not go off. This is has occurred. One day a couple of months ago, the left flasher on the dash was blinking faster than usual, indicating to me that a turning signal light bulb was burned. However, to my best efforts, I was not able to identify any light bulb failure. So I left it alone hoping it would either go away or the bulb would burn out and become obvious. A few days ago, the RLFWL came on. I was able to determine the left blinker light bulb was burned out. I had it changed at a local Jiffy Lube. It worked perfectly and the fast blinking went away. However, the warning light stays on. The mechanic told me to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery and allow the computer to reset itself. I did this for 30 minutes and reconnected the cable. Still the problem continues. I then noticed this morning when taking my daughter to school that it was off when I started the car. But when I depressed the brake pedal and shifted into drive, the light came back on and at this time, it is staying on. Any thoughts to a perplexing idiot light that is driving me bananas. :P Thanks a bunch. BTW...(duh) it is a 1996 ES300

It should be on the valve cover. Also it takes about 45 seconds to do. I also put some silicone or light grease (very small amount) on the new one so it is easy to push in. Side note: I replace them every 35 to 45K miles since they are cheap. Just put on in yesterday. It cost $5.95 (shipped and an OEM one)! ← Thanks Mike. I found the location this morning and changed it out. It was full of gunk too. And thanks for the heads up, with changing them around every 35-45k miles. Good advice. Cheers

Thanks for the heads-up. Would there be a way of replacing just the lens? Or is it necessary to purchase the entire light asssembly. And if not, would you recommend a brighter bulb. If so, then what kind? Thanks again for sharing your experience.

Thanks again Steve....Now I am majorly embarassed !

Thanks for the information Steve. I suppose the question begs itself, how are they installed. <I am so embarassed to ask>

rockit...Suggest checking in General Maintenance forum. You'll have better luck there. ← Thanks

Hello all from a newbie. Thanks for this great forum. I keep reading of the PVC valve and to replace it. I have a great 96' ES-300 (currently at 91k). But when having my oil changed, I was told the vehicle did not have one. So I suppose the question is, does it or does it not have a PVC valve? If so, where is the darn thing located, where can I purchase one and how is it replaced? I know this sounds like a hokey question, but I have to learn or pay the piper at Lexus. I prefer the embarassment of the former! :whistles:

Great idea using the Brasso. Would anyone know how I would dismantle the lens cover from my 96' ES-300 and gain access to the four round cloudy lenses (total of four). I can barely see through them anymore. This Florida sun is murder. Help!

Great idea using the Brasso. I have the same problem and would like to clarify the following. My occluded or cloudy headlamps are the two round ones on my 96' ES300 (total of four). They are so cloudy, I can barely see anything without using the brights and even then they are not that bright. If these are the same, can you (or anyone) explain how to dismantle the lens cover. Thanks from a newbie.

Hello all...rockit here. I am new and although I adore my 96' ES300, I have much to learn. This is my question/probem. The front door (both) rubber gasket seals are worn at the same spot and a serious amount of air/noise comes through going down the interstate. Have to keep playing the Moody Blues over and over just to not become majorly annoyed. I wish to replace them but Toyota/Lexus want $120 for each one plus another $80 each for installation. This is just insane. Any help on where these might be purchased (OEM-?) with instructions with how to replace them would be greatly appreciated. For what it is worth, I spent the better part of an hour with the search tool and found nothing. As a new member, I would ask to be excused for something I know must be a regular problem with any older Lexus. Thanks a bunch.

These six cylinders if taken well care of and with just "normal maintenance" will give a (good) driver at least 250K miles. They are very well known to be rock solid. I have a 96-ES300 with 91K and it hums better than a !Removed! on a busy street corner! :P