chococat

Actually it could be 1) filter 2) oil control valves 3) wiring 4) ECM. My mechanic said ECM. I disagreed. Took my car home. I started with filter. (10 min job) They were clean. Replaced the OCVs. (I believe in doing things in pairs) (10 min job). Code went away.

HOWEVER, bank 2 is tricky & my wire casing are brittle in areas, so my housing connecter pulled away from the wires a little, so while my P1354 (bank 1) went away, I sprung a new P1359 (bank 2). The P1354 for the OCV. The P1359 for ME was wiring. The P1354 caused my timing to advance wrong on one bank & the car lurched, smoked, etc. The P1359 causes no problems whatsoever except an engine light.

I hope this helps. ^_^

Drove to Houston and back today (to pick up my "new" RX300), 9 hours total. And the ES ran *GREAT*. So the mechanic was wrong, it was not the ECM, it was just the valves. $120 for parts, 10 min of labor. *woot*.

It's a great vehicle. Enjoy!

Turns out the tranny & radiator were flushed a year or two ago, so I am going to drop the pan, change the gasket & filter on this, as well as the ES my 17 y/o daughter just bought from me. Picked up the RX today. A friend of mine drove it the 4+ hours home and though he usually pokes at me for my taste in "little foreign cars",he said it handled well & he was very positive about the drive. For a 12 year old car, it is in pretty good shape. A few more scratches then I expected, but overall, I was impressed. 2 actual Lexus chipped keys, one Lexus valet key, and then the original spare key blade, in case you lose all the keys & need one cut. The original books, tool kit, keychains, etc. Looking forward to getting to know my new baby.

Just bought off eBay, a "new" to me 2001 RX300 with 87K miles. Records look clean, 2 full owners.

I have owned an ES300 since 2005, which I also bought on eBay with 99K miles & it has 212K miles on it now. I bought the RX because the engines are similiar if not the same. ES, the main known issue is engine sludge, which I have avoided. My engine is in really good shape. Most of the maintenance I have done myself....sensors, gaskets, etc...

After doing some reading, I hear about the dreaded tranmission fail on the AWD RX. I am going to take it to get it flushed ASAP, however, I am 2 hours from any Lexus dealership, and an hour away from a Toyota dealership. Is there another oil besides the Toyota brand oil that is ok?

Is there anything else that is exclusive to the RX that often fails & could be proactively maintenenced?

I know it will need a timing belt soon. I bought this knowing it has one window issue and probably a servos issue.

I am kinda scared...I have wanted an RX for a long time. I LOVE my ES, but with these Texas country roads an SUV will be much better. But after reading about the transmissions, I now wonder if I did a bad thing.

Picking up car tomorrow in Houston (4 hours away).

Any help would be appreciated. Looking forward to switching forums & learning all over.

2001 RX300
- Paid $7875 w/86711 miles 12/06/12
- I am 4th owner
- Bought off eBay & picked up in Cypress,TX on 12/08/12

Had transmission & radiator flush in 2011? knock sensor (bank 2?) replaced summer 2012?

12/12 - fixed stuck rear passenger seatbelt, cleaned/replaced the #7470 servo DIY
12/12 - Chrome Trunk Emblems - $19 cabin filter $6 #7061 servo - $130 (all eBay)
12/12 - transmission filter/gasket @ ABC auto - $26 5qts Castrol IMV - $33 87,350 miles
12/12 - replaced windshield wiper blades #21 & #24 @Auto Parts Plus - $12
02/13 - P1130 (Bank 1, Sensor 1 O2 sensor) 91,241 miles

06/13 - P1135 (Bank 1, Sensor 1 A/F Sensor Malfunction) replaced O2 Sensor DIY @ ABC Auto $162 98,216

06/13 - front end alignment & left lower ball joint $156

08/13 - timing belt, water pump, a/c belt, power steering belt @Gaylands Auto $510 102,005

09/14 - P0440, P0441, P0446 (Evap System) - evap house disconnected behind air filter box 124,738

Going to talk to myself here, just in case some else finds it useful...

Replaced both my oil control valves (VVT solenoids). Bought them at O'Reilly Auto Parts #917-211 & #917-214. $61.99/each. Drove just about 30 miles, over the river & through the woods & 70mph when I could. No check engine lights. Before I would pop a code w/i 4 miles. I'll test it out more tomorrow. But for now...I am optimistic & VERY thankful.

Talking out loud here...

Now while I am waiting for my OCVs to come Tuesday, wouldn't it be great if someone had an actual snapshot of where the Oil Control Valve FILTERS were? I have an idea, going to try tomorrow, clean them out, drive the car.

Read that someone w/a 99 RX had the code for Bank 1, replaced the OCVs, no change. Replaced the filters. CEL gone for good..

My new mission is to find the filters, clean them. Drive. Code? Replace OCVs. Code? Replace w/new filters. Code? Then it will mean wiring or ECM and I will have ruled everything else out.em

<edited to add: I found and checked my oil control valve filters today and they looked CLEAN. Now I am sad that THAT wasn't the problem, but I AM happy that as far as that whole "sludge" issue. I have yet to see traces of it.>

I was always under the assumption that bearings, as well as boots, and such, were not parts to sit on and wait to replace. I am surprised you have made it a year and hope more damage wasn't done. And I agree with others... I would take it to a trusted mechanic and replace what they tell you to replace and do it ASAP.

Had a friend who neglacted replacing boots, bearings got road garbage in them, she kept dirivng it, and bam, one day the wheel just fell off. Thankfully she was going 5 mph. But imagine that at 70mph!

3) What is timing belt, pulleys & water pump job like, and what parts should I get (any cheap seller of quality parts?). I've done timing belts on other vehicles, but not sure how ugly this job might be.

- I see timing belt was replaced at 65K, 12 years ago. I think the recommended interval is 100K, so should I wait?

5) Previous owner said small leak at valve cover, and I can see a minor amount of oil residue on front valve cover but not ugly. But I get a whiff of motor oil inside. Would that leak cause that odor, or maybe something else I should check? Any known oil leak areas that cause this (on my 2000 Camry rear valve cover leaks onto exhaust pipe and does same thing).

7)think I need brakes all-round. Do the calipers just press in, or do they need a special tool to turn/twist them in?

8) Any other things to be mindful of, known issues, preventive action now, etc...,

Timing belts every 95K miles? Mine was done at 98k and when my car hit 200K miles I knew it was time to change. By the time I finally took the car into the mechanic at 211K miles the belt was loose and tensioner crumbling. So...95K isn't a suggestion...be smart and be proactive. I paid someone to do it, because I don't have a bunch of special tools.(I am just a regular "girl" not some trained mechanic or enthusiast) I paid someone $649 to replace timing belt, tensioner, crank & cam seals, water pump, & thermostat. If you are going to pull your car apart, you mind as well replace ALL those items (except thermostat, mine just went bad).

Valve covers...mine started leaking in 2010 (I have a 2000). I bandaided it untl I got the courage to rip my car apart myself to do the job. (mechanics wanted $600-$800 to do job) I did the top 8 mo ago, the back, 2 mo ago. Cheap parts ($20) but fairly easy job. No more leaks.

Brakes on mine pop in and out, super, unbelievably easy. Never had problems with calipers.

Other items that might fail:

Oxygen sensors. pricey part, SUPER easy to put in. Firewall side a little harder, but small hands & patience help.

Knock sensors. Expensive part, can be done DIY, long job. If you have to replace one, just do both.

Mine is currently out of commision. It runs, but Im afraid to run it for fear of ruining it. I either have a bad oil control valve, bad wiring to the OCV, or my computer is bad. So rather then pay a mechanic to throw parts at it. *I* am throwing parts at it. Waiting for OCVs to come in.

Enjoy your car, hope I helped in some small way. ^_^

I'm just guessing, but it may be that the intermittant signal is the good one, and the steady signal is the malfunctioning one.....

Try a junk yard for a computer. I replaced mine about a year ago, new $700, ebay was $80 (not guaranteed) to $180 (guaranteed). There are even a few companies that refurb ECMs, but they're up around 2 bills. Got one at the yard for $25 and $2 for a warranty. Just make sure you got the right one by checking serial #s, as several different ones were used for each year. Your idea to clean and reseat contacts is good and fairly easy, and you'll need to get it exposed anyway to get the SN.

The OVCs are not swappable, bolts are in different places.

My worry about used ECMs is my keys working & being compatible. I heard that was an issue. Is that an issue with used computers?

Oh and I am not misfiring as I see some people who get P1354 do. Mine just appears to be advancing timing to one camshaft & not the other. Timing belt/tensioner is all new, so it is not that and I was getting this code prior to replacing those.

And I doubt my accident hurt the OCM, wasn't that hard of hit.

Also...it is not the cam position sensors, 1) that is a different code, 2) I swapped them for sport, no change

AND it is NOT the acuator because if I unplug both OCVs, the car runs smooth (albiet at a high RPM), plug them back in, the engine shakes and runs bad.

Year make model.

Sorry...it's under my picture & username: 2000 ES300 :)

So...last Wednesday I pop a P1354 VVT malfunction (bank 2 / radiator side)

My mechanic tested BOTH OCVs (oil control valves). Both were ok (9 Ohms). Voltage tested them, both work.

Bank 2 (radiator side) - current/signal runs fine

Bank 1 (firewall side) - No signal/signal intermittant

Which leads the mechanic and me to believe the ECM, because he said the wiring seemed fine too.

Odd thing is...a bank one issue should have popped a P1349. I didn't get that. Just P1354.

Why a bank 2 code when the issue is with bank 1?

So...my timing is off. One side of engine the timing is advancing at a different rate as the other side which causes the engine to lurch and car to stutter along at times, plus smell bad.

First instinct was to replace the OCV, but the mechanic says he can apply voltage to both and they both activate and they are both fine.

I am going to pull the ECM tomorrow. Plug/unplug connections, blow them out, etc. Probably replace ECM with a used one off eBay ($80). New they are $525.

Also, interesting to note, my car was hit, in about the exact location 2 months ago. I replaced that entire side of the car. Beam was fine.

A friend said to look at the camshaft position sensor, but that's P0345 (not the code I got), And NO it's not knock sensors, also a different code, and I replaced both of those years ago.

I am going to research the forums more, but if someone here had a word of wisdom, I would appreciate it.

No (again city of 1800) but I will see what I can find online or locally.

I think what happened was, when I took the car apart to replace the valve cover gasket, I slid this piece off, but the "repair" was old and so the tape didn't hold anymore. After I re-taped it today, the gas smell went away. I will look for the pipe now.

Thank you for your help!

I pulled off all the electrical tape and under it all is a broken hose. Mind you, this is not my work, so it has been broken since before 2005.

I have a 2000 that I bought in 2005 with 99K miles. It now has 208K on it. And I must say, I do love my car. It rides lovely, and after being in two decent accidents, I discovered it is built like a TANK. I have learned to work on the car myself. I understand the engine decently. The seats are still comfy, the sound system is unbeatable. Only current problems it has this second is: it needs new suspension in the rear and a new timing belt. Love, love, love.

Thank you for the reply. It is not the fuel damper assembly. The damper is small, metal, and near the engine. I replaced that in 2010. (that was a full on gasoline leak in the engine.)

PCV valve came from Napa Auto Parts. I live in a small town of 1806 people. A Lexus dealership is a not an easy thing. I have DIY'd this car since 2005, except the belts and drive axles, and so far, so good. I treat my car with great respect, but I am not a staunch "Lexus part" person. ;) For me, I am at 208K miles, if I make it to 275K, I will be satisfied.

What year ? ES ??

Oh sorry, it says to the right under club member, so I never think to mention it anymore. 2000 ES.

And because I am so proud of this DIY work! From accident to just needing paint in one week!!

The canister looking thing right in the middle of the picture, including hoses.

When you open the hood, it is to the right of the engine.

Looks like it's coming off the fuel rail. It is broken & have no idea what the name for the whole piece including the hose is.

I replaced the back valve cover gasket a few weeks ago and since I buttoned the car back up, I smell a faint vapory fuel type smell in the cabin that gets brought in from the engine. It is either THAT piece I believe, or I also need a new PCV hose, as I replaced the PCV valve and the hose didn't fit quite right.

Going to auto parts store tomorrow & it would help if I knew what the canister looking thing was.

Any help would be appreciated. ^_^

Thank you! It's even better then that! It's 1997-2001. I went to a junker in Tyler, TX, yesterday and got the whole back door, whole front door, front fender, and mirror, off a 1999, for $427 (including tax). Albiet the wrong colour, but everything is perfect. I am tickled!

I bought my 2000 ES300 in 2006. Since then, I have replaced (2) A/F O2 Sensors, (2) Knock Sensors, (1) Coil pack on #2 cylinder, Window regulator/motor front passenger side, IACV under throttle body, (1) top and front engine mounts and (4) shock struts (I did my own work). I had the timing belt replaced for $500.00 and replaced four tires 2x since then. The hards job I performed was the Knock Sensor, took me 8 hrs and $320.00 in parts. http://us.lexusowner...wtopic=30723=

My wife is happy with this reliable car. She drives it everyday 40 miles per day to La Jolla, San Diego ca.

This seems to run across the board on these then. I bought mine in 2005. We also replaced the knock sensors, (2) O2 sensors (all ourselves) & my engine mount is cracked. Has 208K miles on it, just replaced valve cover gaskets myself too. Needs a new timing belt and needs new struts in back. Actually, Ive been on this forum the entire time Ive owned the car and posted everything I have done to it here:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5313&st=30

I would buy another again in a heartbeat. All the problems were normal maintenance issues. It has been a great car. Still rides smooth, sound system is awesome. We bought this car in 2005 because Consumer Reports rated it as one of the best used cars and it was built like a tank.

After having it for 7 years and getting hit twice by other cars. The car IS built like a tank.

Are only 2000 ES doors completely swappable with 2000 ES doors?

After passing legally on the left and a car turning into me, leaving the high probability that my insurance company is going to find me at fault since I was cited for "failing to pass on the left safely", we won't count the fact that the other car didn't have a turn signal on and were going 40 in a 70 for miles...

...Progressive totaled my car. No structual damage as far as beams go, there is a just a tiny kink in one, but the adjuster says it's nothing. I can buy the car back for $1390ish. Salvaged priced, but not a salvage title.

As you can see I most surely need a front passenger side door. But are other doors compatible besides 2000? If so which ones?

If you are reading this and can help, I would be happy with any help. Thank you.

Hi,I have a 99 ES300 the check engine light and trac off light came on simultaneously a few days ago. I pulled code p0330 (knock sensor)I understand the sensors and the labor is expensive,I don't get why when the lights come on I loose overdrive. I don't wanna throw $ into it if it is transmission problems. Do theese cars go into some kind of fail safe mode ? What is the plan of action to fix this problem? Any helpful info is much appreciated! : ) The lights do come off and back on (every few hrs) When there off overdrive is restored,when there on SOMETIMES I still have overdrive. Please help me figure this 1 out Thanx!

Everyone has answered, but what you are experienceing is what I experienced. I have a 2000 and replaced my knock sensors in 2007, both of them actually. My original codes were (2) P0171 - system too lean & (1) P0330 Knock Sensor Bank 2 circuit, this was at 125,700 miles. We replaced both KNOCK sensors w/OEM Toyota #89615-12090 - $360 at 126,320 miles. At the time, I was married, but the job wasn't overly difficult. I think someone quoted 5 hours and that seems about right. And yes, it will mess with your overdrive as a built in safety mechanism. Bottom line...fix it, either dealership or yourself.

My son wants to know if there's a way to cennect his beloved iPod to the factory head unit on a 2000 ES300.

What you are looking for is a car cassette adapter, it looks like this:

car cassette adapter example

They can be had for $5 to $15, various makers, various places to buy them. Sound quality is good in my opinion. I have a 2000 as well and that is what I personally use. Hope that helps. :)

Thanks, Stacey. I'll head down there today. I have car ramps, so maybe that will eliminate me having to remove the tire.

Let us know how it goes. It has been two days for me and my CEL has not come back on. I feel pretty gratified.