jbarhorst2

I would suggest you check your fuses again. The same fuse powers the cigarette lighter and the HVAC controls. Most likely something has fallen down into the lighter socket and shorted it out. Check that first. If the fuse blows again (even after making sure the lighter is clear) your lighter socket could be bad also. You may need to disconnect it to diagnose the problem. Tom

Make sure that the new remote you are trying to program has the same FCC ID number on the back as your good remote. Some remotes look the same, but have a different code and will not work with your car. You should use ADDITION MODE so that your current codes are kept and the new one is added. Your car can store up to 4 remote codes. There are timing requirements for these steps. I will list the timing requirement before I list each of the steps you must do within that timeframe. I suggest you read through all the instructions before you start so you know what is coming next. START Driver door open, unlocked, no ignition key. Insert ignition key and remove. Within 40 seconds, do the following: Using the manual switch lock and unlock the door 5 times in a row (not super fast) then close the driver door and reopen it. Within 40 seconds, do the following: Using the manual switch lock and unlock the door 5 times again, insert the ignition key and turn to the ON position and then back OFF and remove key. At this point the car will automatically lock and unlock the doors TWICE to indicate you have entered ADDITION MODE. Within 20 seconds press the LOCK button on your NEW remote and hold for more than 1 second. The car will respond by automatically locking and unlocking the car ONCE. Within 20 seconds, do the following: close the driver door and reopen then press and hold the LOCK button on the NEW remote for more than 1 second. The car will respond again by locking and unlocking the car. Now you can close the door or insert the ignition key to exit programming mode. Now exit your car and test the functions on your new remote. Tom

I installed it myself. I too am very picky and most people cannot do work that satifies me. It's not difficult to install. The worst part is slowly and gently taking out the wood panels on the dash so that you do not scratch anything. Covering them with blue painters tape is a good idea too in case you slip. Let me know if you need some guidance. I followed a very good write up in this forum which showed how to remove everything. Tom

I have 2005 LS430 Custom Luxury with the Nav/ML system. I installed a unit from Vais Tech that is fully integrated to the head unit. It works great. Let me know if you are not familiar with them and I will get you more info. Tom

Just had to replace the sensor on my wife's 2001 RX300. Its headlights were doing the same dance. You should see them go down, then up, then down slightly. They were not doing the final down. At least that was normal for the RX. The sensor looked OK from the outside, but was corroded on the inside. Works great now. Tom

I have a 2001 RX with NAV and I have a few thoughts for you. If I had it to do over again, I would not have searched for an RX with NAV. I also have a portable Garmin unit and it works much better (just my opinion). The radio controls are actually more convenient in a non NAV vehicle because you can control them without looking away from the road. You can even get Garmin units now with internet connectivity so that you can get updated information while on the road. Just my 2 cents. Tom

Many auto parts stores will read the code for you with their scanner for free. Once you know the failure code then you can start moving toward a fix. Tom

Probably not the alternator. I just sold my SC300, so I cannot go look, but I don't think the PS pump was above the alternator on the I6. Is it always 5 minutes? How is the fluid level? What does the fluid look like? Is it foamy after 5 minutes? Could be that your pump or rack has just finally worn enough that it is failing after it warms??? More info is needed before any of us can help. Tom

With the VSC light on, your VSC system will not function. I have verified this by trying it here on our snow covered streets. Mine also gave the O2 sensor code, but that was not my issue. I had a pinhole in one of the exhaust pipes. Once I sealed up the exhaust leak and reset the codes, the lights did not return. Does it sound like you have a slight exhaust leak?? Sometimes it is hard to tell. An easy way to verify is to go through your local fast food drive through and open your driver window. When you get your order and step on the gas to drive away, the sound echos off of the side of the building and makes it easier to hear. Tom

Just my 2 cents. I have been rotating my tires same side front to back for 20 years on various Cadillac and, more recently, Lexus cars. I never bought into the cross rotation. I have had both directional and non-directional tires and have always gotten significantly more mileage than expected. Probably my best set were Michelins that were rated for 45,000 miles and I got 85,000 miles out of them. I have never gotten less than 40% more miles than stated by the manufacturer. But, maybe my driving style helps this too..... Tom

I registered. I didn't see a difference. Maybe it will remember your cars or something. Tom

Just installed the SL2xmt XM radio interface from Vais Tech. Very straightforward installation and it seems to work really well so far.

It's too cold today to clean it for pictures, so these will have to do for now.

After waiting for about 2 1/2 years, my dealer called and said they had a car they thought I would be interested in. 2005 LS430 Custom Luxury. Briarwood Pearl with Saddle interior. I liked my other Lexus, but love this one.

Yes. In fact you must remove the timing belt as well. The belt drives the pump. Tom O9Wif

I'm sure you have already tried this, but I will state the obvious anyway. Try wiggling the key as you turn it. Also try pushing in while you turn it. Mine turns left to unlock by the way, not right.

You didn't mention if it was the same key you had used in the past. Are you using the master key or the valet key? I think that lock requires the master key. Tom

Sounds like a tail light or a brake light is burned out. Compare both sets to each other and find the one that is burned out. Tom

The new refrigerant is not compatible with the rubber hoses and seals in the "old" system. Some parts will need to be changed to be effective. Also, check the aluminum AC lines that are held in place with a metal bracket at the bottom center of the radiator. The bracket commonly wears through the aluminum lines and that is where many leaks come from. The line is expensive to replace. The new design is not much better than the original. Make sure you put some rubber between the bracket and the line so that you don't have to replace it again like I did. Tom

Actually, the square around the front logo is for the radar cruise which was a later change over the laser cruise. The laser cruise sensor is located in the lower front grill. Same level as the driving lights. I like the radar over the laser because of 2 things. The sensor is not as easily damaged and it works better in the rain. Sometimes the laser can get confused by the raindrops or the glass face can be damaged by flying rocks. Just my 2 cents. Everyone has their own opinion.

Is your cigarette lighter working? It could be your fuse because both run off of the same one. Check to make sure you have not dropped a coin down into the lighter socket before changing fuse. Tom

If you unlock your car and do not open a door, doesn't it lock after 30 seconds anyway? I guess I'm confused why everyone seems so concerned about the second car that gets unlocked. Tom

It could be that your solenoid is simply "stuck" in place with the soda residue. If you take off the shifter cover plate you should be be able to access this easily and find the problem. I'll bet that if you listen really close you can hear the solenoid clicking when you press the brake pedal. Put your ear next to the shifter while pressing the pedal with your hand. If you hear the click, clean out the soda. If you don't, then you may have more of an issue. Tom By the way, my '97 SC300 turned 287,000 miles on the way home from work tonight. It is my everyday driver and I even took it on vacation this past summer (1,700 mile round trip).

I had the same problem on my car. I cleaned the EGR valve itself and changed the EGR temperature sensor. Neither fixed the problem. Finally when I needed a new head gasket I had the head cleaned and a valve job done. Once I did this work, no more problem. I assume the passages were partially plugged. Tom

Sounds like a decent price to me if everything works on the car. A common failure is the AC system on these cars. The AC lines that run near the bottom of the radiator get a hole worn in them because of rubbing the bracket that holds them in place. You should put some rubber in between the bracket and the aluminum lines. I currently have 282,000 miles on my '97 SC3. Tom