Check Engine (And Loose Something)

[LexLex]

Hi,

I have a 2000 RX300. 95,000 miles. Its seems to run fine but has had the check engine light on for some weeks. I have tightened the gas cap and checked under the hood. The only thing I can find obviously wrong is this loose thing laid out on the driver's side of the hood, close to the windshield wipers. Here is the picture. Any idea what this is and whether it can be the cause of my engine light?

Thank you very much.

[Filehorse]

That appears to be a ground wire of some flavor but I doubt it has anything to do with your check engine light. The Check Engine light is almost exclusively tied - in some manner - to the environmental controls on the engine. I had one come one a month ago and it turned out to be the Air/Fuel Ratio sensor. A failed oxygen sensor can also cause it as can a loose/cracked vacuum hose; faulty catalytic converter; failed engine coil; the list goes on. A lot of the Big Box parts stores (Auto Zone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly, etc.) will read the OBDII codes for you at no charge. A quick phone call will let you know which ones do or don't. Unlike proprietary engine codes which must be read by the dealer's analyzer, the OBDII codes are easy to read and very often the code will point directly at the source of the problem.

The first step is to get the code(s) read to find out what you're dealing with. With a Lexus of this age and mileage, you should have found a good independent Lexus/Toyota shop who can do quality work for quite a bit less than your friendly Lexus Service Department but they probably won't include the freebie Otis Spunkmeyer muffins and Keurig coffee.

Let us know what you find.