BillyC Posted August 8, 2004 Share Posted August 8, 2004 When your check engine light comes on, do you feel that it is urgent to get your car to the dealer for repair? The check engine light on my 91 LS400 has been on and off for 6 months and recently began to stay on full time. Since there has been no change in performance, I am inclined to just let it stay on rather than take it to the dealer for the minimum $300 charge for changing out a sensor. What do you do when your car's check engine light comes on? BillyC 91LS400 216,000 miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95LS400Bob Posted August 8, 2004 Share Posted August 8, 2004 I'm new to Lexus but have been a mechanic all my life. My 95 also has a check engine light on and soon to be tackling that problem. So everything I say below is general and not lexus related as I don't have experience with a lexus. Yet. Give me a week. I fix everything myself and no car I have ever had goes to the dealer. You need a diagnostic code reader to determine what the "problem" code is. On most cars that seem to be running normally that have a check engine light on, the problem is more emissions related. I'll be hunting a low cost code reader and will report back here if I find one. Someone probably has a list of trouble codes here on the forum. In the meantime I say "drive it on." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMF Posted August 8, 2004 Share Posted August 8, 2004 billyc, you dont have to go to the dealer, there is a procedure to take the error code by urself, im sure one of our experienced 91 ls owners will tell u how to do that. Bob, you can just step by by the autozone and they will readthe codes for you free of charge. write them down andpost them here and i will give u complete info and troubleshooting howto from the factory repair manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95LS400Bob Posted August 8, 2004 Share Posted August 8, 2004 billyc, you dont have to go to the dealer, there is a procedure to take the error code by urself, im sure one of our experienced 91 ls owners will tell u how to do that.Bob, you can just step by by the autozone and they will readthe codes for you free of charge. write them down andpost them here and i will give u complete info and troubleshooting howto from the factory repair manual Thanks! I am headed over there shortly to get some hood supports. Soon as I can keep the hood open (without the use of a golf club as a hood prop rod ) I will head over there and get the codes read. Much to do on this car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyC Posted August 9, 2004 Author Share Posted August 9, 2004 I had my check engine light diagnosed today at the local Toyota (not Lexus) Dealer. It cost $40.00 which can be applied to the bill if I take it back for repair. The diagnosis was plugged up EGR pipe. They thought that it could be cleaned out and that would solve the problem. Cost would be $155.00. My car is running so well that I really hate to start messing with it. Are there any dire consequences of just letting the EGR stay plugged? Thanks, BillyC 91LS400 216,000 miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCF3 Posted August 10, 2004 Share Posted August 10, 2004 I had my check engine light diagnosed today at the local Toyota (not Lexus) Dealer. It cost $40.00 which can be applied to the bill if I take it back for repair. The diagnosis was plugged up EGR pipe. They thought that it could be cleaned out and that would solve the problem. Cost would be $155.00. My car is running so well that I really hate to start messing with it. Are there any dire consequences of just letting the EGR stay plugged?Thanks, BillyC 91LS400 216,000 miles Well, getting the EGR Piping repaired will help your fuel economy and performanc of your motor. You may even feel the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travieso~13 Posted August 10, 2004 Share Posted August 10, 2004 Autozone told me i had to rent the tools from there and check it myself. Doesnt that kinda suck.. Just my 2 cents, some one told me to just use a paper clip and get the codes from the light flashing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMF Posted August 10, 2004 Share Posted August 10, 2004 yeah for 92 is different, autozone proves free scanning only for OBDII cars which are 95 and up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.