Len_D

FYI, a quick update.... The info presented in this thread was a big help. I was able to locate the sensor and remove it without jacking up the car or removing the wheel. Took 5 minutes. The Lexus dealer wanted $350 for a new sensor. I was not able to locate an part anywhee else other than the dealer (yet) I took the sensor apart and for the most part no corrosion damage. There was quite a bit of black power material loose inside and some hard black material on the bottom and sides of the springs. I removed the springs and cleaned them with electronics grade isopropyl alcohol. I also cleaned the spring holes and inside casing with alcohol. I put the unit back together and reinstalled it today. The dash fault is gone. I'll put a load on the rear of the car tonight to test the headlight reaction. Not sure how long the sensor will last, but I'll give it a try before paying $350 for a new one... len The attached pictures are as follows: 1.jpg and 2.jpg.: The sensor as removed. 3.jpg: Inside of top cover after disassembly. 4.jpg: Inside of sensor showing black material at the bottom. 5.jpg: Close up of black material. 6.jpg: springs and black material inside 7.jpg: springs after cleaning.

Thanks for the info. I just looked under my 2001 RX and the sensor seems easy to get at. Do I need to go to the Lexus dealer to get one or has anyone found an online source at a better price? I searched sone online sites and can't find a sensor... thanks len

Thanks. I will explore the goodwill from Lexus and possible second opinion. The car is drivable but makes noise. len

After researching this forum a bit looks like transmission problems are fairly common on the RX300. (mine has 95K miles) Still think it is a funny coincidence, but really can't see the connection to the timing belt work. The dealer says I need to replace the transmission. sigh

I got the Lexus dealer to agree that the noise after changing the timimg belt was not normal and they took my car back. They have had the car 2 days and just called saying the noise is the transmission front pump and had nothing to do with the work they did on the timing bely and serpentine belt. Funny coincidence that I have owned this car for 6.5 years with no noises or problems and this started on the day I had the timing belt replaced (actually, they did the belt twice as they installed it off by one tooth the first time and the check engine light came on before I got home). Can the transmission front pump be related to their work? The dealer says they are not and it is a coincidence. I don't know what the front pump is so it is hard to agree or disagree... Thanks in advance for any comments! len

Thanks, that is what I suspected. I really wanted to confirm before I went back to the dealer. len

I have a 2001 RX300 with 95K miles. The dealer recommended a timing belt/water pump replacement which I agreed to and had done. The check engine and VSC light came on by time I drove the car home. I brought the car back the next day and the dealer told me they put the belt on misaligned by 1 tooth and needed to realign the timing belt. I got the car back and the check engine light is now out. The car now makes a noise which is worse when cold but still evident after warm up. The noise sounds like an old car I had years ago when the power steering pump was low on fluid. (a sort of whinning noise) My RX never made noise before changing the timing belt. I brought the car back and the service manager told me this noise is normal after a timing belt replacement and should be gone after about 800 miles. I have driven 500 miles so far and the noise is still there. Has anyone else had a timing belt replaced and had a noise generated from the new belt for some perioid of time? I am suspect of this claim by the service manager but wanted to check with other RX300 owners before making yet another trip to the dealer. thanks len