chococat

We did not get a reply yet, but wanted to update our own journey through this problem. Here's the scoop: On 4/30 our CEL/Trac Off lights came on, this happened at 125,700 miles. We also noticed at the same time, the car will not always shift beyond 4th gear, thus it RPM's too high. We had the codes read at Autozone and got: (2) P0171 system too lean & P0330 KNOC sensor codes. The following weekend, my husband changed the tranny fluid, cleaned sensor behind CAT, front A/F sensor, & MAF, blew out air intake, checked air filter. He then had the codes reset and reread: (2) P0330 & (2) P1153. In those manuals posted as a sticky on this forum, there is a WEALTH of info about all these codes and we found out they don't always mean JUST the sensors. Plus, as Autozone pointed out, what are the chances ALL 3 sensors would go bad all at once?? Many of these codes point to fuel injectors as well, so husband put a bottle of CHEM 12 & 93 Octane in and we are running it to near empty. I ran the car yesterday until the lights came on again and got only one code, ONLY ONE! YIPPEE! (1) P0330 Knock Sensor...when the CEL/TO lights come on, the car will not shift beyond 4th. The manuals explain this whole process and there is a reason for it. We also found it interesting that Consumer Reports rates these cars unbelievably well, but that the most common complaints are engine sludge (from not changing the oil often enough) and the Oxygen Sensor. The tranny will ultimately fail if one runs the car continuously with this sludge or keeps running the car with a failed sensor, and makes the car RPM high. This put me over my fear of all the posts of tranny failure. ---- At this point, I am pretty confidant that we will get over this hump. At present, until husband can look at it again and replace this sensor, we just take the surface streets and don't pull the car much above 40mph and she runs fine. I figure, right now she is basically sick and needs some TLC, so I don't mind. I hope this helps someone, somewhere and will repost when we get it 100% resolved. This board has been a wealth of information and I hope we can give back this way. :)

I have been searching all morning on how to remove the plug portion of the oxygen sensor from our 2000 ES300. Seems like people have had similiar problems with other Lexus models, but there is little followup on how the problem was actually solved and there seems to be no mention of it for this model. Supposedly removal is easy? My husband is under the car and there are wires that lead into a small hole and he says he sees carpet, so he assuming that he might have to take up the carpeting to access it? I was just hoping *someone* has done this before and could help explain what they did and how they found it? Husband is great at working on cars. He has a Mazda Miata that he has done everything for, including replacing the whole engine, so he is no dummy. However, aside from oil changes and such, this is the first somewhat major problem we have had with this car in the two years we have owned it. If we solve the problem, I will followup so when someone else searches, they will be able to glean the knowledge we have learned. In the meantime...anyone?? Thank you! :)

This was posted *long* ago, I realize, but did you ever solve your problem. My husband is having a similiar problem with our ES300. Thanks. :)

Just wanted to thank you for the good information! :)

My husband used oil engine flush, Mag 1 Motor Flush, and the next evening the Trac On and Check Engine Lights came on. We had the codes read at Autozone, (2) P0171 system too lean & P0330 KNOC sensor codes. Is there any corelation between the two events? Would the Motorflush cause the sensors to go bad or loosen sludge that contaminated the sensors? Can the sensors be cleaned? PS: We have the FSM's but still cannot easily find the Bank 1 Sensor 1, any tips on locating and reaching this sensor? Thank you for your help. :)

I bought a blank empty key off eBay and a precut key with a transmitter off ebay. I then combined the two and had the key cut locally, at the time, in Baton Rouge. Just call around, someone will do it. I then used instructions I found off the internet, the whole door slamming, knob turning thing and programmed the keys myself. I was pretty proud of myself over the whole thing. :)

NM

I noticed the last two posters posted about this problem, but did not post back that they had found a solution and what it was. So what was the verdict? We have a 00 ES300 and had the TO/CEL lights come on this evening (MON). First place I hit is here, because this forum is GREAT! Going to have my husband check the oxygen sensor first. ETA: He hasn't had time to look, but I took the car to AutoZone (WED) and they ran the CEL test for me, free, which is pretty awesome I just have to say. We got (3) codes: (2) P0171 system to lean (ie: oxygen sensor) P0330 KNOC sensor (which I *think* is the air/fuel sensor?)

I think we did real good... We bought our 2000 ES300 in June of '05 for $10K and it had 99950 miles on it. We bought it off eBay and the only thing it needed right off was tires and we knew that when buying it. It was (and is) a beautiful car and has not needed any abnormal maintenance since buying it.

Well...there you go! I did not know that existed and could not find that advise anywhere. Wow. Why couldn't the Lexus dealership tell me that?? I feel like calling them in the morning. Bah.Someone above mentioned their 'key' doesn't chirp. My 'key' has never chirped, is is supposed to? Cannot imagine why it would. I did miss the car chirping though, it is helpful to know when I have actually engaged the thing or when on the rare occasion I lose my car in the parking lot. Thanks Again!!

This has been covered here and there I have found, but there was never a solution posted so I am asking again for me. We have had our car over a year, a 2000 ES300. Yesterday the 'beep-beep' when you remote unlock the car died. The car still unlocks, trunk till remotely opens, etc, but there is no beep. One could say the battery in the remote, yes? However it does not chirp with BOTH our remotes and both remotes are full remotes not valets. Could it be a fuse in the 'chirper'? Something else? Any ideas? Lexus of Baton Rouge (2.5 hours away) says bring the car in. Um...no. Is it something simple to fix? Thanks in advance.

Did you figure this problem out? My 'chirper' just died yesterday. Car locks/unlocks fine, but no more beep.

See...this is what I like about this forum...have a problem, come here, look it up, try to fix it yourself. :) I have a 2000, and mine just started the whole quick blinky thing about a week ago. My husband tried replacing the flasher, as recommended by somebody at AutoZone and that didn't work. So I told DH I would look it up here, and wa-la! Hopefully, at least one bit of advice somewhere on this thread will work. Thanks!

Simply amazing!!

I just wanted to add that these instructions worked nicely for me as well. I could cycle the locks either manually or with the power switches. The glitch I, personally, ran into was that the 2000 can only have 2 keys programmed right? So the first time I ran through the sequence successfully, it cycled through the lock cycle twice indictating that my memory was full already with 2 keys. I read off the 1998 technical service bulletin and applied how to clear the memory and add another new key. Worked great! My local dealership wanted about $260 for a new key w/a transponder and to program it. I bought my key off eBay, had it cut locally, and programmed it all myself for $70. I consider myself a happy woman today! :D

2000 ES300 - Paid $10K w/99950 miles (currently @ 245,000 miles) - I am 3rd owner - Bought off eBay & picked up in Houston, TX on 06/04/05 - $54/month insurance for 39 y/o female w/ 30/60 coverage, 5k med pay, and 30/60 UM - regular oil changes every 5K miles. Using full synthetic now. 06/05 - (4) Kumho Solas 115 55/R16 @ SEARS - $412 06/05 - 2 Key Blank w/Transponder & Remote off eBay - $85 cut locally $27 08/05 - Old 38 tint off, new *legal* 34 tint on front windows - $65 06/06 - rearended someone and smooshed the front end, painted back bumper too - $750 09/06 - Front ® tire blew out, replaced @ SEARS - $112 04/07 - (2) P0171 - system too lean & (1) P0330 Knock Sensor Bank 2 circuit 125,700 miles 05/07 - changed transmission fluid, air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, PCV valve. 06/07 - Replaced both KNOCK sensors w/OEM Toyota #89615-12090 DIY - $360 126,320 miles 10/07 - Duralast Battery - $60 130,720 miles 11/07 - Front/Back Brake Pads, Machine Front Rotars 131,070 miles 11/07 - P0125,(2) P1155, P1150 - fixed by adding radiator fluid 131,235 miles 03/08 - both cabin filters - $30 134,100 miles 07/08 - (2) Perelli 215/55 R16 bought off eBay - $90 tires mounted & balanced - $22 137,500 miles 09/08 - new windshield @Safelite AutoGlass - $150 05/09 - serpentine & a/c belts replaced @ Toyota dealership - $179 147,642 09/09 - Duralast Battery (exchanged since still under warranty) - $29 152,133 miles 10/09 - Brake light intermittant...not fluid level. Sucked out some old fluid, added some new, light went off. 01/10 - (2) Toyo Versado 215/55 R16 @ Hauk's Automotive - $200 155,314 miles 03/10 - replaced fuel damper assembly DIY @Napa Auto Parts - $53 159,556 miles 04/10 - (2) Triangle Talon 215/55 R16 off eBay - $45 tires mounted & balanced - $27 05/10 - new windshield @Safelite AutoGlass - $196 07/10 - replaced Mass Air Flow Sensor DIY @ Napa Auto Parts - $105 164,124 miles 07/10 - P1130 (system too lean Bank 1), replaced 02 sensor, sensor + socket @Advance Auto - $200 06/11 - oil change, tire rotation, air filter, transmission fluid change $219 181,306 miles 08/11 - drivers side rear door lock assembly broke, replaced w/97 ES300 junker $61 (whole door)183,600 miles 10/11 - new drive axels on both sides & new front brake pads/machined rotars $650 186,879 miles 12/11 - P1150 (Bank 2, Sensor 1 O2 sensor), replaced front sensor DIY @Advance Auto - $190 12/11 - new battery @ABC auto - $82 12/11 - (2) Toyo Proxes Tires 215/55/16 off eBay 6-7/32 $102 mounted @Hidden Treasures - $30 190,650 miles 01/12 - P0128, replaced coolant temperature sensor DIY @ABC Auto $27 191,800 miles 02/12 - replaced rear brake pads DIY @Napa $51 194,800 miles 02/12 - replaced top valve cover gasket DIY. 195,421 miles 03/12 - (2) battery terminals @Parts Plus $14 05/12 - (2) Toyo Versado Tires 215/55/16 off eBay 6-7/32 $96 mounted @Hidden Treasures - $26 200,848 miles 05/12 - 2) Triangle Talon Sport, 205/60/16 off eBay 7-8/32 $86 mounted @KD Tire - $39 203,400 miles 09/12 - replaced rear valve cover gasket, pcv valve, & spark plugs DIY- $80 207,270 miles 09/12 - (accident) front door, back door, fender, mirror DIY@RCS Auto Recyclers - $427 208,305 miles 10/12 - Pioneer TS-A1684R speakers & brackets @Amazon - $62 11/12 - passenger doors, front fender, entire bottom of car painted @Kar's - $500 11/12 - (1) Toyo Versado Tire 205/60/R16 off eBay 5-6/32 $40 mounted @Hidden Teasures $10 11/12 - new timing belt, tensioner, seal kit, water pump, thermostat @Gayland Automotive $649 211,228 11/12 - P1354 VVT System Malfunction (bank 2) - (2) OCVs DIY @O'Reilly $134 12/12 - P1359 VVT System Malfunction (bank 1) - wiring harness plug @Shreveport Lexus $22 12/12 - (1) Toyo Spectrum 205/55/R16 off eBay 5-6/32 $42 mounted @Hidden Teasures $15 211,567 12/12 - Sold the car to my 17 y/o daughter for $3K, $1800 under blue book 212,112 12/12 - new headlight right passenger side @eBay - $98 (2) Master Remote Keys - $8 12/12 - replaced windshield wiper blades #18 & #22 @Auto Parts Plus - $12 12/12 - replaced transmission filter/gasket - $40 4.5 qts Castrol Transmax IMV - $33 212,512 - replaced rear shocks (her dad DIY) 05/14 - replaced passenger marker light (DIY) 08/14 - replaced radiator (her Dad DIY) 03/16 - P0302 (cylinder 2 misfire) replaced all 3 'top' ignition oils & spark plugs DIY @amazon $54 245K