lenore

May be a loose connector on the back of the center console assembly...Requires pulling the dash trim and pulling the radio to see whether the connectors are all tight.

You probably are going to have to take it back and get it diagnosed....The timing belt does not have to be worn in. Did you have the service performed by LEXUS or Toyota, or and independent.? Also did you have a flush done on the transmission or a drain and fill?

hERE IS a posting from clubl lexus that may be worth checking out... http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-first-generation/246678-check-engine-code-po-440-po-446-a.html

Why in heavens name did they use the bulbs for the continuity to the airbags...that is mystifying, however you have excellent troubleshooting skills...and as always a excellent writeup...

If you select RX300 forums on this site, you will find a manual at the top of the forum page.....

The belt is indeed very tough, however a good mechanic can look at it by removing the upper belt cover....and $1600 is way out there. YOu could go to an Toyota or independent and pay no more than $500....

Fix it, a new car payment would just set you back... plus taxes, insurance, and license fees are probably more. good luck

The valve cover would take less than 30minutes top to remove the front one...What a bunch of usual crap from the service advisor...If you get one do as I do and run only full synthetic...I highly suggest the use of Castrol OIl 0-30 European version as it seems to even clean the engine. I have a 99 with 187k miles...good luck

Awlsome, Those pictures reminded me of when I lived in North and South Dakota...Boy it was cold...Used to hunt and fish, that is all there was to do...And read...Great for my parents while I was in junior high and high school. Washington is really pretty..enjoy and glad you made it safetly...No pictures of Cheyenne or Idaho?

strut may be fine, it may be the strut mount on top....

If it has sludge, walk away, the warranty is done....8 years 2months. If it has sludge on top than it has sludge throughout the engine including the oil pick up strainers and the VVTi valve train. You dont want to go there...

Yep as Code 58 said, mine has 187k miles and never been changed....

Check the above and also check the transmission fluid color and whether it smells burnt....DO NOT DO A FLUSH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. do a drain and clean filter and a fill. As for the rest of the car, door locks do die (the actuators) but on the RX forums you will find a $15 solution...The rest of the car is pretty solid. Definetly check for the sludge. Have the front valve cover removed and look....Good luck

Or you have sludge and stuff starts moving around and blocks that screen......or worse yet, the VVti valve gear is failing...my neighbors Highlander had that happen...we tried to clean it, but it still wouldnt work (toyota and lexus say they are not serviceable.) He finally ended up changing the gear assemblly...

Be careful, the warranty was only good thru 2002 cars...Unfortunately the lawsuit started before, but settled that year...my neighbors highlander had sludge and toyota told him to take a hike...he had a 2003...Highly suggest using full synthetic oil after the work is done.

Man the spark plugs are scheduled for 100k miles...They easily go 125k miles....As for the rest the waterpump and idler bearings could be done....Use OEM belt or equavilent...such as Mitushbosi and Koyo bearings and Aisin Water pump...these are the OEM manufacturer of these parts...

Call your local dealership and be very polite and see what they say.... Work with them first, and if you dont feel you are getting any assistance raise it to Lexus of AMerica corporate office....Good luck....

I had the light go on while up at Tahoe, I think the cold and altitude got mine while filling up at a gas station. Check your gas cap and make sure it is on tight...As for the transmission you would notice higher rpms than normal while driving...If there is a Autozone nearby they could do a scan for free and tell you the codes. Another solution after check the gas cap is unhook the battery for a few minutes and turn the headlights switch on and see if the light goes off and stays off..

Ebay has been my source of the door lock actuators....Read the entire post on repair....It gives lots of tips and changes that folks have done to fix the problems...I have done it twice. and the second time was nice because I had ordered 4 actuators for $12 and so was prepared.... here is a sample on Ebay.... http://cgi.ebay.com/POWER-DOOR-LOCK-ACTUATOR-for-2-4-doors-BEST-/400080697653?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d26aaf935

Absolutely make sure they do a drain and fill on the tranny. The quote for the fluid change seems high to me. Takes less than an hour to drop pan, clean filter or replace depending on whether it is a metal screen or paper, The parts are around $60 for the pan gasket and filter. It only takes 4.2 quarts of Tranny fluid for a drain and fill. As for the belt slipping, it may just need tightening..... I know you dont do this but here is a tutorial from Club Lexus that shows what is envolved with a transmission fluid change. http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-first-generation/220061-photo-diy-rx300-awd-transmission-fluid-pan-filter-change.html

If he changed it the last three times, then the pan is on him, or use an oversized plug...That is crap, He just wants you to cover for his mistake...

tHE TIMING belt, waterpump and belts is not bad for Lexus, but the fluid prices are rediculous....Toyota changed my timing belt and water pump for $500.....An independent shop like Toyotas only or something like that would probably be cheaper. Make sure you use OE timing belt, and power steering and alternator belt. Your car doesnt have a serpetine belt, just two v belts. The timing belt can be made by Mitusboshi which is an OE manufacturer as well as Aisin water pump which is Original equipment manufacturer. The spark plugs quite frankly could go to 125k miles with no problems...The tranny fluid drain and fill is a must...DO NOT DUE a flush on the transmission unless you want to replace the tranny sooner....

A bad knock sensor will cause the engine to not go into overdrive.....Very bad luck...I have 186k miles on mine, but the weather is kinder where I live. I suspect the snow and ice contribute a lot to hard problems on the RX300.

cant tell you but the filter is only $5.00.....maybe it is that bolt....yOu could go to Toyota or Lexus and buy one but tell them to show you on their drawings where it is...

Yea that looks great. Maybe the OCV is bad....The other thing that happened to my neighbor is the VVti camshaft timing gear failed. we tried to clean and repair but ended up replacing it. The Gear moves under oil pressure and changes the valve timing....