BuddyTD

John, UPDATE: The weather in Chicago is pretty brutal right now. I took a quick look and figured I would leave my latch release cable to the Lexus dealer..... I FEARED taking it because I believed it to be the cable slipping loose from the safety latch. I was sick thinking this repair was going to cost at least $100 to $200.00. When I took it in, the Lexus service rep (mechanic type who would take the first look) said let's see..... He slipped the cable end off of the back of the latch lever and gave a quick pull....THE HOOD POPPED OPEN !!! Nothing more than that. He had the service department re-tighten the cable to the safety latch inside the engine compartment,, WASHED my car and charged me NOTHING :) !!!!!! Problem solved ! It was a good day and it restored my faith in ONE PARTICULAR LEXUS DELAER IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.......... Thanks again for your suggestions, Bruce

John, Thanks. I just thought it strange that the first time I tried opening the hood after $1700. worth of maintenance, Certainly wish I had the knowledge to do timing belt and plugs.......not for the average back yarder. I hope I can figure it out myself........I'm sure if I take it back to the dealer, it's going to cost me $$$$$$$$$$$ for them to tighten a loose cable :( Thanks again, Bruce

John... I own a 2005, RX330 with 109K. I had my timing belt and tensioners replaced by my Lexus Dealer last week. In addition, I had the spark plugs replaced. Today, my first time checking fluids, the inside hood latch release cable seemed to come loose inside the engine/safety latch. Of course, the hood will not open. The car is in great shape....never a problem, especially something like this. When doing the above described work, would a dealer have to remove the cable release from the safety latch for any reason to get to the timing belt, etc. Also, would you have a suggestion on how I can get into the engine compartment without being able to use the cable release? I'm new to the Forum and don't know how to get to the proper area to describe the problem or find a helpful way of fixing it myself. Thanks Bruce

It's time to replace my air and cabin filters and I've always spent too much at the dealership for a simple replacement. Are the air and cabin filter replacements from the national chain part stores as good as what the dealer sells you? Is there are particular brand name that is better than another? BuddyTD

Thanks for the reply. I tried your suggestion and it did not work. I manually opened the back door and read the factory caution sticker next to the power back door closer button pad. At the bottom of the caution label it said, PUSH THE POWER DOOR OFF SWITCH WHEN THE DOOR IS NOT IN USE. I went to the manual which showed a small push button to the left of the glove box (showing only when the glove box is open). There is a graphic of the power back door and the button. I pushed the button and the door now operates with key and from inside. I believe I accidentally hit the button when going into the glove box. The button was small and, if you try to search for it without a flash light (especially in a dark garage), you may never see it. Thanks again for taking your time to respond.

I have a 2005 RX 330. The power back door will not open by using the key button or inside switch. The door operates manually. I have checked fuse #50 (manual) and it appears good. In addition, I have just noticed that the lumbar air bag does not inflate when the rocker switch is toggled (could be coincidental). The electric seat works properly. I do not know of any other electrical issues that I might be having because everything else appears to be working. I will admit that (another coincidence)I was reading the manual the other day (have had the car for almost three years) and found that I could lower all the windows by holding down one button on the key. It worked! Since I've done that, I find it interesting that I cannot activate my power back door with either the key or the the inside switch. Could I have screwed up the codes by activating the windows with the key? I have fair knowledge of cars, and would need some direction from those who have more experience. Fuse #50 (power back door), under the driver's steering column was the only fuse that I checked....by following the manual. Any suggestions why the lumbar switch would not activate (inflate or deflate) the bag? There is no noise when rocking the switch that would indicate anything was working. I have not checked fuse for this problem and don't know which fuse it would be. Thanks so much,

While backing up, I broke/busted the lower rear (driver's side) rear tail light assembly. The part costs about $100.00. There is no damage to the bumper and I am sure the lens assembly will fit easily into the bumper.....once I figure out how to remove and replace. Any pictures or manual references to help me complete the replacement? On a scale of ten......how hard is the fix? Thanks!

I have an '03 RX 300. Both of my keys: 1. Will not unlock the car when pressing the button on the key. 2. Will lock the car on a hit and miss basis. I have noticed that, on both keys, the red light flashes when I press these buttons. I have changed both of the key's batteries. This has just started. What seems to be the problem? Does the automatic locking/unlocking system need to be reset? How is this done? Thank you, BuddyTD