Vsc Went Nutty! Help!

[raziah]

Hello everyone,

Well unfortunately I was driving home last week and I noticed a light that came on (VSC) from what I remember. I have a 1999 GS 400 and I never use the seat warmers let alone the control for snow or the other switch in the center armrest/console (I'm referring to the 4 buttons between the shift knob and center armrest). No need to use those buttons for that here where I moved to. Anyways, this light came on and when I went to slow down and pull over to see what was up, the brake depressed into the floor and the wheel tightened to the right and I slammed into a pole straight on. The airbags deployed but with the dependability and safety of this car, thank God things were not worse.

Anyways, my question is this: what is VSC? What does it do? I bought this car from the first owner and I am disappointed about this b/c I loved this car. :( A friend of mine told me to ask on here to find out a bit more. Earlier that day the light came on but then it went off about a minute later. So I didn't think much of it until that night. I know I didn't press the button on the console and on the gauges there have never been any indicator lights illuminated and I've owned the car since 2002.

Any help would greatly be appreciated as I am glad I was not on the highway driving 50 mph.

Thanks again!!

[GuyTelefunken]

VSC is the Lexus term for Vehicle Stability Control. In your case, something malfunctioned and locked up the brake on one or more wheels which in turn caused you to have an accident. It might be worth your while to discuss what happened with your insurance company and also give Lexus customer service a call. There are many safeguards built into the system to prevent this sort of thing from happening. In your case, the particular malfunction you incurred was serious enough in nature to cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Paradoxically, this is just the sort of thing VSC was intended to help prevent. Hopefully Lexus will offer to help you out, particularly if they feel what happened was at least in part the fault of the system. The number for Lexus customer service is 1-800-255-3987. Good luck!

[raziah]

VSC is the Lexus term for Vehicle Stability Control. In your case, something malfunctioned and locked up the brake on one or more wheels which in turn caused you to have an accident. It might be worth your while to discuss what happened with your insurance company and also give Lexus customer service a call. There are many safeguards built into the system to prevent this sort of thing from happening. In your case, the particular malfunction you incurred was serious enough in nature to cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Paradoxically, this is just the sort of thing VSC was intended to help prevent. Hopefully Lexus will offer to help you out, particularly if they feel what happened was at least in part the fault of the system. The number for Lexus customer service is 1-800-255-3987. Good luck!

Thank you very much!!

[imnotashinobi]

sounds like this: http://www.automotive.com/1998/49/lexus/gs...alls/44800.html

although your model and year do not seem to correlate...? <_<

it is something i must get looked at, for my car is that year and model.

All in all, I'm glad you came out safe. :D

p.s. hi i'm new here. this is my first post :P

[sakataj]

lol is your name im not a shy noob? welcome to the club.......that link u posted didnt act right! took u to a price comparison and buying a new lexus!

brian

[raziah]

lol is your name im not a shy noob? welcome to the club.......that link u posted didnt act right! took u to a price comparison and buying a new lexus!

brian

Yes that is for the 1998 GS 300. Here is the recall for the 1998 Lexus GS 400. Wow so both 300 and 400 had problems! The Link is:

http://auto-recalls.justia.com/content/98V...GS400-1998.html

Glad I came out alive too. That's what I love about the Lexus....safety safety safety. Imagine if I would have been driving on the freeway going 60mph....oof! Insurance has deemed the car 'totaled' although just the front of the car was smashed. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

Raziah

[GuyTelefunken]

I'd be curious if the recall was performed or not on this car. Checking the crash data in the computer is the only way to see what the conditions of the accident actually were. By the VIN, you can check if the recall was done. It would be a rare case that this car has been on the earth for 10 years and has never been to a Lexus dealer; where they surely would have been obligated to tell the current owner at the time about the recall.

Details of the recall state that electromagnetic waves, such as that from a cellular phone, could cause a problem with the yaw sensor. The yaw sensor is located a few inches to the rear of the gear shifter on the center tunnel. Did you have your cellular phone anywhere around there when you had the accident?

[raziah]

Yes I certainly did. As a matter of fact I had two cellular phones there the night of the accident. I wanted to document my visit to my favorite restaurant to show friends back in Los Angeles and brought the second one for added picture capacity. When I went the following day to the salvage yard there the phones were still on with full power. I'm tracking the vin number but I got in touch with the original owner....he said he brought it to Lexus everytime for all changes before they were scheduled and he never remembers them telling him anything about a recall. Here are the pics as promised....like I said lucky I was not killed but it's ashame, someone at a junk yard is going to buy this car and put it back together. One of the cops at the salvage yard said he's seen people put something like this back together for not a lot. The engine wasn't even touched, just the radiator. As you can see the lights are still in tact. So if I do see someone riding in it....my hats off to them! If anyone is interested let me know and I can track down where it is now possibly. I hate looking at these pics....damn. :cries:

other than the front the car is totally immaculate, no rips, tears, crinkles, nothing in the seats. They look brand new. The whole car. Everyone I know thought it was a 2002 or later.

Here she is before the accident:

AND AFTER:

CD changer and radio all in perfect working order. Only thing damaged is the front as you can see.

FRONT BUMBER INSIDE OF THE CAR....THEY PUT IT THERE WHEN IT WAS TOWED

[sakataj]

ouch, glad u ok though! thats the most important thing! so u gonna get another gs?

brian

[raziah]

ouch, glad u ok though! thats the most important thing! so u gonna get another gs?

brian

Well friend first, thanks! I'm glad I'm ok too. Only thing that happened was I bumped my leg and got a bruise. Thus I'm keeping these pics to show folks interested in a Lexus how dependable and safe they are. I originally bought the car b/c I was told, "sir, just put gas in it and go." And after owning it not once did I ever have a problem. So to answer your question I would love another GS400. I just wish they kept the same body style, it's classy and sporty. An IS is too small for me. I liked the comfort and the ability to stretch my long legs out in the 400. I'm also looking at the new Lexus F. If I get another 400 I want the silver w/black interior again...I just love it!!! :P

I just found out that Geico is keeping me on their insurance and even better, my rates are not going up at all b/c it was not my fault. Finally, they gave me above what the car is worth so I'm very grateful and very happy!!

I keep telling folks it's hard for me to decide on another vehicle after owning a Lexus....With this 400 I just cruised and glided. But in the back of my mind I knew I had the power backing me up with the V8. Now, I'm spoiled....hahaha: know what I mean?

Raz