katabrontes

You could try this http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/Twenty20-Crystalite-Rapid-Headlight-Restoration.html?ajs_uid=DB5060CA11B9812B84A652553EA78203

I think this common to all "non glass" lights. I have the same problem with our Toyota Vitz (Japanese import version of Yaris) in Cyprus. You can get a special cleaner to remove this surface colour but it does come back after a few months. I tried using T cut on the lights but it didn't work very well. I was quoted about €40 by a car cleaning company to clean this off the headlights - not sure if it would last nay longer than the job my garage did for me at no charge when it was serviced. It hasn't been a problem with the MOT in Cyprus.

Understood Chris. I think there is only one on the rear OS suspension but I will check when I get back.

Is this the air suspension version? I have springs.

Thanks for this useful guide Piers. It doesn't show the height levelling sensor which I have on my RX350. Is this not used on the 300?

Thanks for the pic Chris. The service page suggests it is for the air suspension but it looks the same as the one on my RX350 which is just for the headlights. I think there is only one inside the OS rear wheel but I haven't checked the front so there may be another one there. I have emailed for the shaft seal. What size of "O" ring is it? Regards Mike

Hi Chris Found the link. As you say very helpful. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/54815-headlight-leveling-sensor/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bafs+%2Bsensor#entry601804 WKR Mike

I think your idea about rain is probably right. I have the same problem with my RX350. It started after heavy rain while I was in France last year. I have asked various people about it and so far no one has come up with an idea. Sometimes the AFSA light comes on but other times it doesn't. The first thing I did was to to pull off the plug on the leveling sensor (just inside rear off side wheel) and pack it with silicone grease which seemed to fix it for a while. I was gong to replace the sensor but they are pretty expensive (about £200 as I recall) so the next plan is to take the cover off and clean the contacts (I gather its a pretty simple rheostat but you have to be careful about an internal spring when you take the cover off). The short term fix is to switch off the ignition and then start the engine again which nearly always fixes it. Occasionally you need to do this twice. Good luck. I would be interested what you find out about it as well.

I had a similar problem with my old Toyota Surf 4x4. In the end I think we decided it was either the coil springs chafing in the cups at each end or maybe the shocks - can't remember which but it never went away while I had the car (about 10 years)

Many thanks Cabcurtains. Very helpful and reassuring. My 350 has HID on the dipped but ordinary halo on the main and the light was not very good on the main so I replaced these with a HID conversion kit (cost about £85) and they are brilliant. Checked with my garage before the change and main beams are not covered by MOT so no problem about them being quite bright. I changed the reversing lights last year to high intensity LED (700-800 lumens) and removed the silvered shield and they are almost good enough to reverse easily now. Cost about £10 as I recall.

Lots on this in other posts. I have replaced mine with high intensity LED (820 lumens) and removed the silvered shields and it is a lot better.

Helpful advice from ChrisKaye. A few technical questions as I think there may be risks attached to handling the HID connections. How often do you advise cleaning the contacts and which ones? How do you guard against HV shocks? How long do you need to wait after switching off the lights for any HV to dissipate?

I can't see why removing the shields would be an mot problem. Not all cars have them. They direct the light upwards away from the ground so markedly reduce the available light for reversing (unless of corse you subscribe to the "official Lexus" line that they aren't intended for this anyway!

I used these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-CANBUS-ERROR-FREE-CREE-T15-W16W-921-LED-SIDELIGHT-REVERSE-LIGHT-/331683944280?hash=item4d39e75758:g:BDAAAOSw0vBUic19 after trying a few others which weren't very good. I note that there are now 11W and 18W versions on ebay although they all claim 8000 lumens which is odd. No problem with MOT since I removed the shields. Its passed twice since I did it. Last time with the new LEDs as well.

DanD's explanation is correct. I have copied a letter sent to me from Lexus UK in a reply to an earlier posting. I have attached it herewith with a French translation in case you would like to carry it in your car in case you are stopped. As to the AFS the advice is that it should be switched off as it is slightly asymmetric and the lights swing rather more to the left than the right in UK cars. In practice I have not found this a problem in France and now I leave it on as no one has flashed me for a couple of years now and it does give better light on the road on corners. I don't know if your 450 has full HID headlights. My RX 350 has HID for the dipped beam but conventional bulbs in the main which were not all that good. I replaced the main beam with an HID conversion last year and the difference is amazing. Ditto for the reversing lights which have been the subject of an extensive series of posts. I fitted high intensity LED bulbs to mine last year and removed the reflecting shield which directs the light upwards and they are also much better now. Lexus advice re headlights in France - anonymised for distribution (French & English).26-7-2014.doc

I asked Lexus about this for my RX350 and their reply is below. Out tag works well jus to the left of the mirror. "I have referred your enquiry to our Technical Department and they have advised the transponder should be fitted on to a clear glass area. The black spots are the pattern in the rain sensor unit behind the mirror. We would recommend the transponder is fitted at least 10/20 mm lower than the top of the screen to prevent aerial interference."

I have tried that. They won't budge.

I haven't tried before

the front seat belt adjusters on my RX350 won't move. They are stuck at the top of the adjustment range. Any ideas how to fix this? Can I just pull off the trim cover to get at the mechanism underneath?

You could try using a piece of thin ply with a slot to cover the glass around the spindle and then after a bit of penetrating oil on the spindle you should be able to lever it off. I expect the service , if it's Lexuxs may shock you when they bill you for a new wiper unit.

You could try using some of the compund For sealing exhaust gaskets or maybe even some silicone sealant might do

Unfortunately it has started again. The same as before. Lights do their "dance and turn" OK but don't then drop down as far as they shoudl so the dipped beam stay much too high and dazzles oncoming traffic. No AFS warning light comes on either fixed or flashing. I am going to get the rear levelling sensor taken off and cleaned to see if that will fix it. No one seems to know what causes this problems. Any ideas would be welcome. Mike

I can't see why it would fail the MOT as reversing lights are not a RTA requirement (see comments form Lexus about this). Not sure how well it would work though. Mike

My problem now seems to have resolved itself. I saw on another post a suggestion from Colin Barber that moisture inside the headlamp might cause the problem so maybe it was that although I didn't notice any sign of this in the HID dipped module. Very odd.

Curiously after a few weeks when the AFS system seems to be behaving a bit erratically (does the dance on starting but then stays too high, about x1 in every 3-4 starts, usually corrects itself after restarting engine once or twice) it has not settled down and works Ok every time. Colin Barber suggested in another post that it might be caused by water in the headlights. I had it fault checked while it was misbehaving but neither the garage's system (not Lexus) or my one little one showed any fault even when the AFS light was flashing. Very odd but seems OK now so good news in the end.