cduluk

See the link in post #12: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58822

No problem! Definitely let us know how it goes. <_<

Yeah man, be safe and good luck! Hopefully you're truck stays safe here as well; make sure to leave the tank empty! :P

And just for fun, here's the inside of the cluster, showing the CCFL tube that blew out in your cluster. Since the tube is so fragile, i wouldn't recommend trying to replace this part only. It's easier to simply use the new cluster as-is while only replacing that smaller circuit board to maintain your mileage. Also note, since you'll be buying a used cluster from a 99-00, it may have a burned out "D" light (as in Park, reverse, neutral, drive...). It's a common problem... If this is so, you can swap out the bulb for one of the ones in your cluster. Once you have the milky plastic cover removed, you'll be able to see the base of the bulbs for the P-R-N-D-2-L. Find the one for D (the 4th one down from the top, note they're staggered ie not in a straight line) and twist it counter-clockwise with a flathead screwdriver, and pull out. Here are the bases for the P-R-N-D-2-L bulbs. Also note the small philips head screwdriver, the perfect size you'll need to remove the screws on the black bezel around the cluster on the dash. This may all sound confusing, but it's not, just a lot of words! Once you get the new cluster if you get lost i can help clear things up a bit. <_< Good luck!

Actually it's not that difficult to remove the cluster, it only requires a philips screwdriver (preferably a short one as you need to maneuver it in a small area) and flat-head screwdriver. I did it about a hundred times on my old Rx300 working on various cluster projects, so here's the how-to from memory :) You first need to move the steering wheel to the lowest position. Then you will need to pry out the two plastic dash panels adjacent to the steering wheel column (the right one surrounding the ignition spot, and the left one that contains the security and seat memory buttons) with a flat-head screwdriver. They're just held in place with clips, so just pry out until they come. You can unplug the plugs that feed the memory seat, mirror controls and security light if you want, it may give you more elbow room (but is not needed). Next you will need to remove the two philips head screws holding the black bezel to the dash upper dash. You'll need a short screwdriver as a long one will get in the way. A screwdriver less than 4" in total length will fit. At this point, the black bezel still won't move, as it's also held in by two clips on the lower left and right. You will need to pry out the black bezel with a flathead screwdriver (or you could try pulling by hand). Then pull the bezel towards you a little, and unplug the plug leading to the dimmer switch. Just press the little tab at the top while pulling, and it will come out. To remove the black bezel from the area, just rotate the top down and towards you, and slide it out of the area (pull left towards the drivers door)- i remember it was a tight fit, so just take your time. It'll seem impossible, but it isn't :) Now you will be facing the cluster, and be able to see the three screws holding it to the dash frame. There should be one screw at the bottom left and bottom right, and one at the top. Remove the philips screw at the top first. The other are tricky since they're so deep. Take your time removing these two, because as soon as they're out, they'll want to fall into the annex of the dash. You might need a pair of thin fingers to reach in there and take the screws out once they're un-screwed :) Now the cluster will be free. You'll need to flip the bottom of the cluster upwards, and then pull the cluster out a few inches. The wires that lead to the back of the cluster are too short, so you'll need to remove the three plugs in the back while the cluster is still in it's cubby area. You'll need to stick your hands behind the cluster blindly and remove the plugs. Just press the little clip at the top of each plug while pulling, and they'll come out. When the three plugs are removed from the back of the cluster, you can freely remove the cluster from the cubby. To remove the cluster from it's cubby, rotate the bottom of the cluster to the top, and slide out. I remember it wouldn't come out facing you... you need to flip it. And no need to remember which plug goes where, as they're all shaped differently so it'll be easy upon re-installation. Once you've got the cluster out and have the new cluster with you, you can swap the rear circuit board so you can keep your mileage. On the back of the cluster you'll see a milky white plastic cover, which needs to be removed. With a philips-head screwdriver, remove the screws that attach it to the circuit board. Not sure how many there are, but you'll see them. Here's a diagram; note there are screws not visible in the picture, but if there are any appear to be holding the plastic cover in place, remove them. Once this cover is removed, you'll be able to see the smaller circuit board i'm talking about. I don't have any pictures of it, but i made a quick diagram to show you. The smaller board (containing mileage) is attached to the main board via two (maybe 3?) pin connector looking things, simply made of a plastic frame with wires going through it. The plastic frame holds it together while the wires connect the various electronic circuits between the main and smaller boards. These connectors may be rotated (in my diagram i have them running horizontally but they may be vertical) but it doesn't matter... Simply pull the smaller board away from the main board. The pin connector pieces may also come off, but that's OK; just simply friction fit them back onto the main board. Simply remove the smaller board from your cluster and install it on the new cluster you get. That way you'll maintain your mileage! After the new board is installed, put the milky white plastic cover back on, and re-install it into the car in the reverse order you took it out.

Since your RX300 is a 1999, you'll need to make sure the replacement is from either a '99 or '00. The 01-03 clusters may appear the same, but they are not... Here's one for $49 plus $15 for shipping, probably the cheapest you'll find on eBay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00-LEXUS-RX300-SPEEDOMETER-CLUSTER-THRU-6-00-MPH-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35b2c4f36cQQitemZ230632518508QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Once you get it, you can switch out the rear circuit board piece (i can show you how, it's VERY simple) so that you'll have your original mileage. <_< Then you'll be all set! This is the first time i've heard of the CCFL going out in the Rx300 clusters, so i wouldn't worry that another used cluster might have the same problem...

Ah yes, you've definitely got a blown out CCFL. The gauges are illuminated by a single CCFL tube, basically a miniature flourescent lamp. It runs horizontally from the "7" on the tach left to the "40mph" mark, then curves 45 degrees down and runs past the "c" on the temp meter down to the "e" on the fuel gauge. Apparently the right side of the lamp blew out. I would look for a used cluster on eBay. The clusters have two circuit board panels, the one further back containing your mileage. You can remove that smaller circuit panel from yor cluster and connect it to the new cluster. Ebay has used 99-00 clusters for less than $100. I'm out at the moment but when I get home ill take some pics (I have some rx300 cluster parts laying around) and find a good used one on ebay for you!

What's the reason for your interest in switching them? Are yours simply worn out or are you looking for the style change? From looking at pictures, it doesn't appear that the mounts (between 97-01 and 02-06)are the same, but you can try measuring. If you're simply looking for ones with less wear, try to find seats from an 01 Es300 as they're identical. All 97-01's are the same.

What the...? We're Lexus owners because we're smart and careful with money. The more you spend on a car the less you have in your wallet afterwards. You've got it backwards. If you pay dirt for your car, then you'd have more spare change to take it to the dealer.

How do you know the bulb is even the issue? The ballasts have been known to burn out prematurely on the 06+ GS and IS models... The ballasts are used to change the 12V from the battery into the higher voltage required by the HID bulbs. But if it is indeed the bulb that's burned out, try replacing it yourself like 1990LS400 suggested. If you can remove it from the headlight, you can put one back in. <_< And yes, $19 sounds way too cheap for an HID bulb. Also make sure the bulb you replace it with is the same age and type (philips D4S 4300k) as the other one. HID bulbs change color and brightness with age. If you have a 1yr old bulb in one side and a new one in the other, you will notice the difference in color and intensity.

Do you mean the right side of the gauge cluster (with the tachometer, speedometer, fuel and temp meters)? Can you take a picture? I'll be able to tell you what you need to do. <_<

Unfortunately not... :( The steering wheel itself could be installed, but the controls for the radio, bluetooth and display would not work as the plugs are quite different. With a little wiring you could get it to work but it would take a lot of trial and error. And you'd need the LS460 airbag as well. But i do believe it would work with the plugs already on the GS. How good are you at wiring and such? If you're able to trace each wire for the controls you "might" be able to get it to work... Also consider wood color and grain, as i don't believe they'd match perfectly...

Oh wow, mine makes the same sound! However the sound doesn't last longer than 2 seconds or so on mine...

You might want to call your dealer and ask if the part numbers match up.

That's good info! I'm gonna email my Lexus dealer with that VIN and see if they can find any data on it and/or any part numbers that might be able to be installed on our Rx's. Thanks for the help!

Ohhh good point Jim, i wouldn't want to lose that feature... I got a response back from the company about their aftermarket smart key system, "Hi Chris, thanks for inquiring about our products. Yes our product works with any standard key-type ignition vehicle. The only extra part needed is a transponder bypass device which can be an universal type or a vehicle specific type like iDatalink.com offers. It will be a bit involved if you never done a remote stater install before and we highly recommend you consider having professional Alarm/Remote Starter install shop to do this if possible." Can a remote start system even be installed on an Rx400h with it being a hybrid and all? I thought such systems connected directly to the engine...

Jeezaloo, could there be anything else different between the Japanese and US versions?? Why would Lexus do this? You're guess is as good as mine as to where the VIN would be located... For all we know there isn't a VIN! I tried searching for the VIN on a Toyota Harrier Hybrid (apparently another version of the Rx400h) but couldn't seem to find anything that looked like a VIN number... Here in the US vin numbers look like "JTJGW31U672564" but maybe it's different for other spec Rx400h's.

Wow that looks nice!! The new Cherokee interior looks very "Mercedes-esque", definitely a step up from the previous generations. Good luck with it

OH NO!!!! :cries: Is the lady willing to pay for the damages? This seems to be happening a lot to us LOC members... It happened to Army's truck, mine twice this year, and now yours... It looks as though the damage can easily be repaired... And a new bumper's no biggie... Just hope no tabs were damaged underneath or anything else like that. At least they left you a note!

Ahh, SW you're right on. It's weird why they'd design it like that... And i think you guys are right, it isn't worth it. Maseace, GREAT FIND!! I've sent them an email to see if that system would work on the Rx400h with it being a hybrid and all... If so, i think it might be worth it! I'd still have to find a way to convert that ugly @ss wallet key into something more aesthetically pleasing though...

I was recently in a 2006 Infiniti M35X and it had a slot for the remote as well, however, the remote only had to be put in the slot IF the batteries were dead. The rest of the time it worked wirelessly. Maybe the Lexus is the same? Probably not. I had a BMW loaner a 07 x5 and it had the slot that you had to put the key in to use the push button. I am not sure why the decided to use a design like that? A agree it's kind of moot to have a smart key that you still need to plug into the dash and then press a button to start the car... The 04-06 LS430 key worked this way too.

Hmm... that's a good question! I'm sure the recall would apply to yours since it was made prior to the date Lexus supposedly discovered the bad soldering...

Well the smart key system on the Japanese Rx400h and that of the 06+ ES and GS models here in the USA are very different actually... The ES and GS US smart keys don't have to be pushed into the dash before the START button is pressed. If you look at the pics i posted before you can see the slot next to the START button where the fob has to be inserted. Kind of stupid actually... But still, it's better than the standard blade type our Rx's have!

What are their decisions based on? Reliability? Performance? My guess is that reliability wasn't taken into account as they picked a VW and the Chevy Volt. The VW was just ranked poorly on JD's 2011 Reliability report and the Chevy Volt is too new to determine how unreliable it'll be. It looks as though overall "ride" was the basis for their choices, and i'd have to agree with them... Although i don't agree the Infiniti M is the best "luxury" sedan. How could they have skipped the LS460 and the BMW 7? What category do they consider these to be in if not luxury?

Hmm, yeah i've never done it before personally but it looks fairly easy from that tutorial. I guess if yours is already broken it won't matter if you break it upon removal!