Exterior Light Problems --- 2005 ES-330

[Mike Piacente]

This problem is annoying considering we paid nearly $40k for the car.

Several of the exterior lights don't always light unless I bang on the lens
and they come back on. Also two lights don't always go out after I turn off
the lights.

Are there any suggestions?

Is there a web site where I can search for Lexus Technical Bulletins?

Naturally, when I take the car to the dealer, the lights work fine and they
can't find anything.

RayO, any ideas?

[Ray O]

Post by Mike Piacente
This problem is annoying considering we paid nearly $40k for the car.
Several of the exterior lights don't always light unless I bang on the
lens and they come back on. Also two lights don't always go out after I
turn off the lights.
Are there any suggestions?
Is there a web site where I can search for Lexus Technical Bulletins?
Naturally, when I take the car to the dealer, the lights work fine and
they can't find anything.
RayO, any ideas?

Oddball lighting problems are usually caused by a bad ground or poor
connection. Are you aware of any body work that was done on the car?

You can search for Toyota, Lexus, and Scion repair manuals and technical
service bulletins for $10/day at techinfo.toyota.com.

[Mike Piacente]

Ray, thanks. I thought of a loose ground. I did have alot of body work
done in 2005 (approx. $6k) 'cause some idiot wasn't paying attention and
rear ended me. The lighting problems didn't start until last year though.

Post by Ray O

Post by Mike Piacente
This problem is annoying considering we paid nearly $40k for the car.
Several of the exterior lights don't always light unless I bang on the
lens and they come back on. Also two lights don't always go out after I
turn off the lights.
Are there any suggestions?
Is there a web site where I can search for Lexus Technical Bulletins?
Naturally, when I take the car to the dealer, the lights work fine and
they can't find anything.
RayO, any ideas?

Oddball lighting problems are usually caused by a bad ground or poor
connection. Are you aware of any body work that was done on the car?
You can search for Toyota, Lexus, and Scion repair manuals and technical
service bulletins for $10/day at techinfo.toyota.com.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[Ray O]

Post by Mike Piacente
Ray, thanks. I thought of a loose ground. I did have alot of body work
done in 2005 (approx. $6k) 'cause some idiot wasn't paying attention and
rear ended me. The lighting problems didn't start until last year though.

You're welcome. The reason I asked about the body work is that body shops
will paint the insides of body work, and when they re-attach the ground
wires, they don't want to scratch the paint that they had just applied so
the paint acts as an insulator, preventing a good ground. Get out your 10
mm and 12 mm sockets and tighten the nuts that hold the ground wires in
place. If you are worried about corrosion where the paint is scratched,
apply a light coat of WD-40.

[Richard J Kinch]

Post by Ray O
If you are worried about corrosion where the paint is scratched,
apply a light coat of WD-40.

Yeah, that'll keep it from corroding. For about a week.