RX450H faulty lights

[Hassan1]

Helloo

Bought a 2010 lexus rx450h with 45k miles. last night on my way back to home suddenly its front lights went off without any warning. Instrument panel was illuminated but no lights even the indicators and head light dippers , front fog tights were not working. Few buttons on panel like tail gate,height control were also not illuminated.

I stopped the car and after 10-15 minutes of fiddling around. Switched on and off the car a couple of times. Its lights came back. Now im a bit worried what caused this sudden black out.

What should i check so as to get this thing not happening again.

 

[katabrontes]

Makes me wonder if the problem was with the Canbus system.  Could one of the bulbs have been replaced with a non compatible LED which would have a lower resistance than the original bulb and thus spook the system.  If they came back on after a switch off its clearly not the bulbs failing as they all work.  Sounds a bit like a problem I have with my 350 with the headlights which after their "dance and turn" don't always settle down to the correct position and stay set too high.  Sometimes the warning light comes on sometimes not.  If I switch off and restart they usually work OK again.  I think this may be due to water getting inot the sensor on the rear axle and I am going to strip and clean it when I get back later this year.  Otherwise it could be a glitch in the central management system but this ought to give you an error code.

Is it under warranty?  If not you could ask the previous owner if he has changed any of the bulbs.

[Hassan1]

Dear i have not replaced any bulbs all equipment are original factory fittings.

They were working normally as i was driving for about 20min and suddenly it all went OFF. It was quite dark on the road so i had to stop and then after 10 min of fiddling around and starting the car again it came back. I am wondering if something wrong with fuse or the light lever/stick has some problem as indicators and head light dippers once you push up were also not working...

 

 

[katabrontes]

Can't be the fuse or they wouldn't come back on.  Could be switch but if so fiddling with it when the lights go off before restarting might provide some info about this.  Sounds as if its some electronic problem in the central control system.

[timbest4]

Sounds like a trip to an auto electrician. Or a lexus main dealer who can plug his diagnosis gizmo into the socket under the dash and chk the fault codes

[katabrontes]

I would try the electrician first and avoid the main dealer.  They will probably charge you for the "diagnostic" (they did for me in France).  A good car IT specialist could almost certainly repair the fault quite cheaply whereas the main dealer will tell you a module needs to be replaced at €x (plus several "0").

 

If you bought from a dealer you should have a warranty and this should be the first port of call.  If not you have no comeback on the seller (not definite but probable) but it might be worth asking them if they had the same problem and if they did anything about it.  If they admit they did and didn't get it fixed you may be able to return the car and get a full refund (depending on the law in the country where you live).  Certainly worth asking the local Lexus dealer if they have had the car in for a similar fault - if they have and told the owner it would cost a few thousand to fix (which is probably why he sold it to you) you would have a good argument to return the car.

Edited February 15, 2016 by katabrontes

[rayaans]

8 hours ago, Hassan1 said:

Helloo

Bought a 2010 lexus rx450h with 45k miles. last night on my way back to home suddenly its front lights went off without any warning. Instrument panel was illuminated but no lights even the indicators and head light dippers , front fog tights were not working. Few buttons on panel like tail gate,height control were also not illuminated.

I stopped the car and after 10-15 minutes of fiddling around. Switched on and off the car a couple of times. Its lights came back. Now im a bit worried what caused this sudden black out.

What should i check so as to get this thing not happening again.

 

Firstly it would depend on who you bought the car from as to where you go.

Is there any chance you didn't hit the wrong switch? Many people get confused as the Lexus wipers are on the right whereas the lights are on the left. My wife's Merc had it on opposite sides.

Could also be an auto headlight sensor issue.

[Hassan1]

Unfortunately we dont have a Lexus dealer here in Pakistan.Its a Japan import with the car having good service history.

I think from the comments so far a computer diagonsis check up may pin point the fault. Is there a chance that the batteries have some issue ?

[katabrontes]

I had my Saab electronics fixed by a Pakistani man in Poole (UK) a few years ago. He was very efficient so I am sure you will find an electronics wizard in Pakistan who can do this for you. He charged me about £100 and the Saab main dealer wanted about £1500 for a new part.  I am surprised you have a good service history for the car.  My Japanese imports (3 so far) all came with none at all but were very good cars and we kept them for 6, 10 and 7 years each (last one we still have).  I think most Japanese cars are well looked after.

Good luck.

[Hassan1]

Most of japanese luxury cars imported in Pak are of good grades means there repair and maintanace history can be checked from the auction house in JP.

Yes we do have good electricans here but hopefully this glitch will not happen again..!! 

[katabrontes]

I suspect it will but may as well wait and see before you get the electronic wizard on to it.  I suspect it may not cost very much to sort it out.

[DanD]

In the absence of a Lexus dealer, I wonder if you could take the car to a Toyota dealer instead...