care_mentor_288

Has anyone tried to install a permanent solar trickle charger? I'd like to in my '07 RX400h for when I'm out of town. I'm thinking to install a solar panel permanently in the window. Maybe something like this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DFD3RMS/ I read on a random truck forum that I might be able to plug it into the fuse box somewhere and not have to run a wire to the battery directly. 1) Any advice on where to plug it into the fuse box? 2) Any advice on where to install it? (maybe up by the passenger sun visor?) Maybe something like this:

Thank you @Dean2! I am looking to permanently install a solar trickle charger, probably where the passenger visor is on the front windshield. It feels like it would be a lot harder to run through the firewall to the battery instead of to the fuse box. It won't be much draw. Any advice on where to run it or where to connect it? Thank you!

Saw there are a few dash mat covers on AliExpress. Just ordered something like this: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832863811295.html There were a bunch of other styles on there, faux leather, faux suede. Example:

Sometimes I travel for a 2-3+ weeks at a time and in the past the battery died. I've been able to leave the car plugged into a trickle charger in an underground garage. Now, I've got to park outside when I'm gone. The problem is, my family might need to borrow my car while I'm gone and they can't be bothered plugging and unplugging things. So, I'd like to install a solar panel permanently in the window. Maybe something like this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DFD3RMS/ I read on a random truck forum that I might be able to plug it into the fuse box somewhere and not have to run a wire to the battery directly. 1) Any advice on where to plug it into the fuse box? 2) Any advice on where to install it? (maybe up by the passenger sun visor?) Maybe something like this:

So... maybe it's not a resonator? It's a 3rd catalytic converter. Can someone confirm it's not a resonator, but a catalytic converter? So I guess I should protect it more.

So, after a trip to AutoZone and going to the shop (for something else)... The tech was kind enough to spray almost the entire exhaust system bright red. However, he told me that the main part that is visible under the center of the car is a resonator, not a catalytic converter. Is that true? He said the RX400h has 2 catalytic converters, one at the very front of the car behind the radiator that would be really hard to steal and the other up behind the engine that would also be difficult to steal. So he told me there was no need to worry about the catalytic converter theft, but that the person who stole my neighbors was probably just dumb and stole the resonator. Will spray paint make it impossible to steal? No. Will it make it more likely that they steal someone else's? I hope so. The part he says is the resonator. Is that really not a catalytic converter? The front of the car: Spray paint: RAPTOR Flat Red Flameproof High Temp Paint, but VHT has products and there are others.

Ahhh, I see, thanks!

Thank you @HaloRomeo27! That's really kind, but I'm across the country on the West Coast. The OBD autel handheld the tire shop used did use an OBD2 sensor (I'm almost certain) I think Toyota dealership should be my next step.

Thanks @HaloRomeo27! Would I be able to fix the problem by borrowing (or buying) a more expensive reader tool, or would that just help me know what the problem is but still need a dealership to fix it? I could probably borrow one from a friend or maybe even buy one for the same cost as an hour at the lexus dealership. What tool(s) would your recommend trying? Thank you again!

Thank you @HaloRomeo27! This is really helpful and such a good point. The "Check System" problem was there with the old TPMS sensors and I think they just replaced them and didn't do a diagnosis other than with a cheap machine. My friend replaced them at a cheapo shop, and I doubt they had a good machine for diagnosing. (He borrowed my car for a month and that is how he paid me back) When I took it to another cheap shop just to make sure the sensors were working and programmed, the first time the sensors failed to relearn, but the second time they said the learning was Okay. I think I saw that the TPMS receiver is near the center of the car. I don't know if it is related, but my backseat overhead dome light has been finicky. It flickers on and off when I turn it on or have it on door mode (I usually leave it off). Thank you @Rx4000h for the suggestion of going to a toyota dealership! I could take it back to the shop my friend got the sensors replaced, they said they'd look at it for free, but I don't know what they could do differently since they didn't do it right the first time. I'm not sure what else to try at this point, so that is probably the next step. (or just forget about it and live with the light on and save the $$) Thank you both for the advice so far! First try programming the sensors failed: Second try, relearn Ok

Good question, thanks for checking. I do, but the sensor was showing as working, reading the right pressure, and programmed too. I wish it was that easy!

$285/hr for a diagnostic... They said they'll probably recommend replacing the TPMS sensors right away and that would be ~$700+

My 2007 Lexus RX400h tire pressure light has been on constantly for awhile and I can't figure out why. I've had all of the tire pressure sensors replaced, and programmed, and they read as working (with the correct pressure). I've tried both main and 2nd tire sets. I'm stuck and would appreciate some advice about how to fix this. Here is what the dash looks like whenever I'm driving: I took the car to a tire shop and got the sensors checked and programmed: I took the car to Firestone Autocare and had a diag check done and they said the sensors were the wrong frequency, but that isn't correct because it was the same problem with the old TPMS sensors that I got replaced and the frequency in the diagnostic photo is the same as what they recommended. The other day I got a flat while on a bumpy road and almost didn't figure it out quickly because the TPMS wasn't working. I did pull over just to be safe and am glad I did, but I think most people wouldn't have noticed for a while. I read the TPMS diagnostics etc. - PG001_07.pdf (the 2007 rx400h isn't covered) but the only thing I can figure out is where it says "Refer to the diagnostic procedure for checking the TPWS ECU and/or antenna/receiver located in the applicable Repair Manual on TIS." but when I poke around on the internet I get past my head. Maybe it's related to service bulletin L-SB-0025-09 (Tire Monitor System - 'Lost Communication With ECU' Mssg https://workshop-manuals.com/lexus/rx_400h_fwd/v6-3.3l_(3mz-fe)_hybrid/sensors_and_switches/sensors_and_switches_steering_and_suspension/sensors_and_switches_wheels_and_tires/tire_pressure_sensor/component_information/technical_service_bulletins/customer_interest_for_tire_pressure_sensor/sb0025-09/mar/09/tire_monitor_system_lost_communication_with_ecu_mssg/page_1358/ )

I'd really like some inexpensive ideas/options. What have people done that worked? At only 87,000 miles but from 2007, I don't know how much longer this catalytic converter is good for anyhow. Any idea? A few ideas I've come across: Some police departments, cities, and even shops are doing free or cheap etching. I read somewhere in Oregon the Pep Boys was doing it for free. I've seen a bunch of programs in other cities, but they're usually one-off. This etching product looks relatively easy and affordable, but their website doesn't make it easy to buy. https://www.mastergard.com/catetch-labels I think some stripes of bright paint would work (check out VHT Flameproof paints https://www.vhtpaint.com/high-heat/vht-flameproof-coating) You could stencil in your license plate or VIN or just do some bright stripes. People talk about the cages, wires, rebar, etc. but there are a bunch of more expensive options. My neighbor got theirs replaced and had a wire/metal bar system installed for $400. It has metal cables welded to the cat and the frame in multiple places and a lone metal bar also welded along the cat. Seems like it'll do the trick, but was $400

Thank you, those pictures would be so helpful! So you put a smaller hose through the smaller drain hole and adapted the roof hose to fit? Sounds like a good idea