Ls430 With Cel & Trac - Worth The Risk?

[jimxms]

Hi Guys,

First post on here from a UK boy. Previously I owned a supercharged IS300, but now I'm in the market for a LS430 as their prices have taken quite a hit over here.

I've found a 2004 model with 198k on the clock, its for a Lexus history right up to the last service, which as done by an independent garage. The car is the exact spec I'm looking for (black paint, black leather) and is for sale at £4500 which is about £1500 lower than the cheapest similar spec one I can find elsehwhere.

However, there's a problem...

The dealer says that the VSC light is on and the PDC does not work? A picture of the dash with the car running is here:

This shows the CEL + TRAC lit up.

No idea what the codes are, and the dealer is unable to check. So I will more than likely take my code scanner down there with me and read the codes myself.

Do you guys think it's worth buying? What would your gut reaction be? Are there any codes I should be aware of that would = big bux to repair?

I'm fairly handy with a spanner, havign maintained my IS300 myself. But the LS430 is on a different level when it comes to gadgets and mechanical stuff.

[curiousB]

Well I'd sure take a look at the exact code in the ECU before doing anything. This might confirm a simple fix or a costly black hole. I'm struggling with an emissions issue for a few weeks on my 2004. The three catalytic converters cost upwards of $3,000 as a set (for OEM) so if it I get a worst case solution its going to cost me a bundle.

[jaswood]

Hi Guys,

First post on here from a UK boy. Previously I owned a supercharged IS300, but now I'm in the market for a LS430 as their prices have taken quite a hit over here.

I've found a 2004 model with 198k on the clock, its for a Lexus history right up to the last service, which as done by an independent garage. The car is the exact spec I'm looking for (black paint, black leather) and is for sale at £4500 which is about £1500 lower than the cheapest similar spec one I can find elsehwhere.

However, there's a problem...

The dealer says that the VSC light is on and the PDC does not work? A picture of the dash with the car running is here:

This shows the CEL + TRAC lit up.

No idea what the codes are, and the dealer is unable to check. So I will more than likely take my code scanner down there with me and read the codes myself.

Do you guys think it's worth buying? What would your gut reaction be? Are there any codes I should be aware of that would = big bux to repair?

I'm fairly handy with a spanner, havign maintained my IS300 myself. But the LS430 is on a different level when it comes to gadgets and mechanical stuff.

You can ignore the VSC/Trac indication since that is simply a default with ANY CEL.

But a dealer saying he can't read the code....WATCH OUT...!

[steve2006]

There is also a UK based LOC with models having the steering wheels on the same side as yours :P

As to the fault have you asked the dealer why they cannot read the diagnostic codes?

A common problem is one of the wheel sensors/wiring faulty, could be an easy fix ( certainly for a dealer) or major expense like the brake booster pumps on the MK2 GS300.