Check Engine Light

[cave01]

I have a Lexus 2000 GS300 Platinum Edition with only 58,000 mile which was sitting for about six months. I finally decided to register the car and put it pack on the road. After sitting for so long the battery died, the battery would hold a charge so I had to replace it. I took the car to be inspected and it failed the entire ODB emission test. I was told that I have to drive the car for about 15-20 miles so that it can reset.

After driving for about 15 miles the check engine light came on. I took the car to my mechanic who works for Toyota for over 20 years; he checked it and said the code was P0446 and P0441. He said it could be the gas tank cover; he reset the ODB codes and tighten the gas cap. He did a pressure test on the gas tank cover and it was OK. After driving for another 15 miles or so the check engine light came back on. My mechanic stated that it could be problem with EVAP (Charcoal Canister) system which could become very costly to repair. I spoke to a Lexus service agent who also stated that the codes point to the gas cap being loose. Does anyone out there have any idea what else maybe causing these codes? Also since the car only has 58,000 miles is this something that maybe cover by the emission warranty.

[pirgnori]

I have a Lexus 2000 GS300 Platinum Edition with only 58,000 mile which was sitting for about six months. I finally decided to register the car and put it pack on the road. After sitting for so long the battery died, the battery would hold a charge so I had to replace it. I took the car to be inspected and it failed the entire ODB emission test. I was told that I have to drive the car for about 15-20 miles so that it can reset.

After driving for about 15 miles the check engine light came on. I took the car to my mechanic who works for Toyota for over 20 years; he checked it and said the code was P0446 and P0441. He said it could be the gas tank cover; he reset the ODB codes and tighten the gas cap. He did a pressure test on the gas tank cover and it was OK. After driving for another 15 miles or so the check engine light came back on. My mechanic stated that it could be problem with EVAP (Charcoal Canister) system which could become very costly to repair. I spoke to a Lexus service agent who also stated that the codes point to the gas cap being loose. Does anyone out there have any idea what else maybe causing these codes? Also since the car only has 58,000 miles is this something that maybe cover by the emission warranty.

Had the same problem. My Lexus dealer said it was an EMC or ECM chip that need replacing. I'm under warranty yet, so replacement is what we're doing. Hope this helps.

[mrwong]

This was taken from someone named Denise

"We just bought a 1999 Lexus (our first) GS 300 with 9,324 miles on it from Carmax with paint, interior, engine, and trunk that support this is truly a very low mileage car. Our glee was dashed when the third day we owned it the "check engine" light came on.

A desperate call to the local Richmond, VA Lexus dealership put me in touch with a service rep who (informing me that Carmax usually performed a thorough check) provided the following solution and explanation. He did say to FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER.

With the car off as though you were at the gas pump, take the gas cap off and leave it off for 30 seconds. Replace the gas cap and TURN IT UNTIL YOU HEAR THREE CLICKS...THREE CLICKS...CLICK, CLICK, CLICK (it sounds more like crack, crack, crack). The "check engine" light should go off after you have driven the car a few more times. He added that this coud take a couple of days.

The light was off the next day. Something about if the gas cap seal is not tight, it will make the car think that there is a pressure leak which will trigger the "check engine" light. Of course this means that every time you get gas you have to make sure you turn the cap until you hear at least three clicks or else the "check engine" light may keep coming on."

Hope this helps