lexusk8

Well, I'm happy to announce the rough/low idle problem that has plagued me for the last several months is finally fixed CORRECTLY today by my local Toyota dealership. They performed the throttle body service, which involved cleaning the gunk out of the TB, and the idle is much better at 600-750 RPMs (than before which was between 300 to 0 RPMs). I was very disappointed that my Lexus dealership could not pinpoint the problem with the rough/idle issue in my two different visits there. I guess this goes to show that sometimes going to the Toyota dealership is better than going to a Lexus dealership to fix up a problem or performing a service. I'll definitely keep that in mind in the future :)

Wow, that was a long shot for sure, but glad to hear you found that out and fixed the problem

You're still under the 4 yr/50K Lexus Basic Warranty, which covers all work except wear-and-tear items like brake pads and fluid changes. So whatever is causing the noise when you turn the wheel should be done by Lexus free of charge. Which bumper (front or rear) are you questioning that needs to be replaced? If you're talking about the rear, estimated quote is about $700, plus paint and install labor if needed. The front one may be about the same amount or less. You can find cheaper, used bumpers at your local junkyard or on Ebay.

I'm a Design Engineer I for a large, global semiconductor industry which specializes in lithography systems for manufacturing complex integrated circuits. We provide a range of support from product applications knowledge to round-the-clock service support. This is my first job since graduated from college 3 years ago (thus having stayed at it for 3 yrs), and so far things are looking on the up and up. When I don't want to think about work, I can be found at the local skateboard park shreddin' it up ;) :D I have been skateboarding for the past 17 yrs (I'm 28 now), and this is pretty much the only sport I've ever loved getting involved in. This also explains my screen name Attached a pic of me tearing up a skatepark in Cape Cod MA (this was taken sometime in 1999) :)

All Lexus models are invited to every meet; we never discount any model out. Typically (at least in the NE region) our meets comprise of the sedan and coupe/convertible classes (i.e. GS, LS, ES, IS, SC). We just never happen to get any number of SUVs come to the meets, maybe an occasional RX or LX.

Thanks for the extensive and very informative article regarding the use of the clay bar. This important detailing product has always been missing from my detailing collection, and now I think the article has sold me, and I definitely plan to purchase a couple clay bars (from the Lexus Car Care center) to begin the process on my '01 ES. I'm dying to see the difference on the car since it's parked outside and uncovered all year long. I'm also hoping that the claying process will replace the countless detail-spray-and-towel sessions I've had :D

In my '01 owner's manual, only certain components from the emissions control system receive an 8 yr/80K mile warranty. Unfortunately the 8/80 components do not include the charcoal canister. That is backed by the Lexus Basic Warranty (4 yr/50K mile).

Here's the link to all the pictures taken at the Brooklyn NY meet (courtesy of Clublexus.com): http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread...threadid=123146 I have to say that one thing I liked most from the meet was the fact that a fellow member told me how he was impressed to see NO swirl marks on my black ES. I guess that tells me my detailing/waxing routine has been up to snuff :D B) Attached a pic of my ES at the rest area before the meet.

Yep, I was the other ES repped at the meet, as well as the white '97 ES owned by FLiP. I too was looking forward to a sizable profile of the ES's at the meet, but alas it is what it is. It was very nice though meeting you, Alan w/ your silver '03 ES and seeing the spoiler. I liked how the car looked clean, and I'm quite surprised it did not need constant cleaning routines to make it look really clean :D At any rate, I of course had to stay at the meet the entire time because of my coordination duties, and it seemed overall that we couldn't have picked a better day for a luxury car meet. The weather was much better than at the last meet, and there were SO many beautiful cars, it's unbelievable! I plan to post up all the pics in the CL forum, and will give a link back here for anyone's viewing pleasure. Here's a teaser pic for now ;)

You can check the fuses of the low beam bulbs. Refer to the owner's manual for the exact fuse locations. The low beam fuses should be found in the smaller fuse box located in the driver's side under the hood. If the fuses check out OK, then go ahead and check the low beam bulbs and make sure they're not burnt out. Just open up the hood, look for the electrical connector connected behind each bulb base and unplug, untwist the circular rubber grommet (just serves as a shield from any water or dust getting inside the headlamp), look for a spring clip which locks the base of the bulb into place and unhook and move it aside, and carefully pull the bulb out. FYI the bulb type for your car is H7. You will notice almost right away that the driver side is harder to work with considering there is less room than the passenger side, but it can be done. Hope this info helps.

I had the same problem a few months after I purchased my '01 ES last year. The CEL and TRAC OFF lights came on, and the dealership diagnosed it as a malfunction in the emissions system, particularly the charcoal canister going bad. My extended warranty wasn't able to cover the part, so I ended up asking the dealership to do me a favor, and they said they will charge me just the labor for the replacement of the charcoal canister (part probably costs around $200-$300). After the repair, the lights were gone from the gauge cluster, and I haven't had a problem since then.

Nice to see another ES sittin' on Toyos :whistles: B)

Glad I can help out Hank!

Hank, have you tried holding the trunk key button down for 2-3 seconds? That's the trick to using the trunk button. I couldn't figure it out the first time when I got my '01 ES last year, and now I can open it every time if I hold the trunk button down long enough and hear the familiar "beep" and trunk pop.

Look for it on Ebay from time to time. Just type in "lexus es300 window" in the Ebay motor parts search engine. Also check out the local junkyard for parts from a '92-'96 ES. Good luck.

r00t61, you could try one or more of the following things to fix the rough/low idle which occurs at engine start-up. They are listed in order of difficulty: - change air filter if it is dirty - feed the gas tank with some fuel injector cleaner fluid (brands like STP, Valvoline and Chevron Techron). I prefer the Chevron, they're the best. - clean the tubings that connect from the air box to the throttle body with a spray bottle of carb/choke/throttle body cleaner. I use the Valvoline kind, it's about $3. Also clean inside the (2) inlets that lead into the throttle body, as they could be filled with carbon and fuel vapor, just like the tubings. - replace the spark plugs if the plugs have never been changed and your mileage is past 60K I advise you to try out the above method(s) first before thinking about bringing the car to the dealership. Unfortunately I've done all these methods, and the problem is still residing, and today I have just dropped my car off at the dealership. Got myself a nice baby blue RX330 loaner though ;) We'll see what happens in the next few days.

Not to rain on your parade, but it may be kinda pointless to go to the dealer and ask for a free battery replacement just because this happened a week after you took delivery of the vehicle. I'm not sure if a pre-owned warranty would cover battery, if you got that kind of warranty with the car. IMO it would have been wise to have the dealer check the battery prior to taking delivery of the car.

Strut mounts is one of a handful of common problems with the '97 ES. For a list of other recognizable issues for that model year ES, look here: http://www.alldata.com/TSB/31/97310308.html They are called technical service bulletins (TSBs), which are basically issues or problems Lexus service is aware of. If you go to the service dept and point out a problem on your car as a listed TSB in their database, they will be happy to repair the problem at minimal or no charge to you (even if you are out of warranty).

I've been an '01 ES owner for 13 months so far, and it was a smooth transition from owning a '96 ES for many years beforehand. Yet, like any other car, the '01 does have problems, but nothing drastically major or classified as "common annoyances". Here's a brief list of problems I ran into (and eventually fixed): - bad charcoal canister (led to "check engine" and TRAC OFF lights) - few burnt out bulbs from tailight and center console - driver's side window switch went defective - infrequent rough/low idle upon engine start-up (this is my current and only problem, to be fixed soon) I still like my '01 ES. Nice combination of luxury, comfort and power :D

Best plugs to replace the factory ones are the Denso Iridium brand. Iridium has a higher melting point than platinum, nickel, etc. Denso Iridium is regarded as a high-performance spark plug, which leads to better engine start-up and idle, and improved fuel consumption. You can get the Denso Iridium plugs at your local auto parts store like Autozone and Pep Boys. Go to http://www.sparkplugs.com for more info.

Captain, welcome to LOC and congrats with the '99 ES purchase. I'm from CT, but not far from the city, about 1-1/2 hrs away. We usually get together in the city on a season-by-season basis (i.e. once in spring, once in beginning of summer, one at end of summer, etc.) or when word of mouth gets around, and that includes both mini-meets and "formal"-type meets. Check out Clublexus.com if you get a chance, in the Northeast regional forums section, most of us plan out events from there. Take great care of your ride, especially in the mad streets of NYC ;)

I guess I should add in my 2 cents' worth here since I have owned both a 1996 and 2001 ES300. I owned a '96 ES (Coach Edition) for about 3 years before I traded it in last year for an '01 ES (now my current car). The '96 was an elegant, classy and also sporty vehicle all around, both the outside and inside. The fuel mileage on the ES sedan is so far the best out of all Lexus, and my '96 used to get around 24-25 MPG on average (city and highway). Everyone will tell you that when you step inside the ES and drive out, it almost feels like a library. They're right about that :D Smooth engine and an engaging pick-up on acceleration pretty much round out the performance side of the ES. Heck, I even took the '96 to the race track one time to see its capabilities, and my best 1/4-mile time was 15.79 @ 85.7 mph (with everything stock) Onto my current car, the '01 is a more refined and updated version of my '96. Lots of changes on the exterior body, and more new luxury appointments to the interior. I'm actually starting to think I'm getting more comfortable with this car than my previous one. Engine is also upgraded: 210 HP, VVT-i (still a V6). Because of my "renewed" love for this sedan, I'm putting more modifications into this car than the last one. Here's a list of what I have done within the past year of owning the '01 ES (more mod plans in the near future): - PIAA lighting (low beams and fogs) - debadged 'LEXUS' emblem in rear - K&N air filter - full wood trim kit - 2003 ES300 washer nozzles I also detail my own car with the detailing items and tools I have researched and purchased as rated the best, and I keep up with preventive maintenance (e.g. did the 90K service when the car had 86,700 miles). I think it's an important part of car ownership to take care of your own car because this is your possession and you earned it ;) Here's a snapshot of that faithful day when I had to let go of my missed '96 and the birth of my '01

Take a look into Dent Masters, which services paintless dent removal in VA, MD and Washington DC. http://www.dentmasters.com/paintlessdentremoval.html

On my previous '96 ES, I used to get some noise coming from the rear brakes, only when I apply the brakes on my first drive out in the morning. It turns out that the e-brake shoe area in the rear needed to be cleaned up because of lack of use of the parking brake. Midas cleaned it up for less than $40. Now I use the parking brake everyday, and I recommend it so that your e-brake shoes don't get worn out.

One of many similar threads with answer found here (by doing a search for "3rd brake light"): http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...?showtopic=8090