sailwindtwo

I have an 05 Ls430 with 174k. My radiator blew and when it did is spewed coolant all over the engine compartment. I tell you this to give you a lead up to what and when my warning lights problem began. After replacing the radiator, I got a check VSC warning and the ABS and traction control lights came on. I read that when the VSC warning comes on that this automatically turns off the ABS and the traction control. I read you can reset this and I did so. It stayed off for a week or so then cam back on. I went and had them plug in to download any codes but it only showed possible battery voltage issues so they checked that and the battery was only 1/2 charged even though the alternator was putting out 13.9 volts. They replaced the battery under warranty. After this I started getting the battery warning light coming on and off intermittently. So I went back and the checked the battery and alternator again and both were good. The battery warning light still comes on and off intermittently as does the check VSC with the ABS and traction control warning lights. If that’s not enough, the airbag light came on the other day. ANY thought would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you Bill

Have you had your rotors turned? I’ve found previously when I brake and the front end shakes, it’s because the rotors have warped. They turned the rotors and the shake stopped and it braked smoothly.

2005 LS 430 I'm sure it's been posted but I always have trouble locating pertinent posts. Looking to find out how to renew the retraction on my front driver side and passenger side seatbelts. They are sluggish retracting when I unbuckle. I have to feed them back into the posts. I'm sure there is a way to fix this. Any help appreciated. Thanks!

The starter has never been replaced. The starter works fine. I'm fairly confident it was some raw fuel that was in a cylinder that after the knocking and rough idle cleared and ran smoothly. The starter doesn't fail at all. The engine skipped when I hit the ignition the second time because there was still some residual fuel in the cylinder I think. The noise wasn't until after I started the car. Sorry for the poor ability I have of describing the problem ;-)

I just went out in the garage and cranked it again now that the engine had cooled off from my trip to the store earlier. Cranked up and idled fine.

I had my timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt and plugs changed about a year ago.

So I went out to the garage this morning, got in my car, punched the garage door opener and while it was opening, I cranked my car. There was a horrible grinding noise and at first I thought it was the garage door opener. Then the car started idling very rough and what sounded like a valve tapping very loudly. I shut the car off and opened the hood. When I got out of the car to look under the hood, I could smell what smelled like burnt oil. I pulled the dipstick and the oil was clean and correct in the amount and there was no water in it. I got back in and turned the ignition switch and cranked it again. The motor turned over but seemed like it skipped and didn't start. I cranked it again and it cranked and idled rough for about 10 seconds then smoothed out. No more weird noises or valve tapping sounds. I drove it to the store, about 5 miles away, and it ran smooth as usual. Came out of the store and drove home just as smoothly as it usually is. I have never had that happen before and don't have the slightest clue what it could have been. Anyone have any ideas? UPDATE: So I talked to my bro in law and told him about it and he says it was probably one of my fuel injectors that may have leaked some fuel into one of the cylinders after I turned off the car the last time I drove it. This would make complete sense as to the knocking I heard when I cranked it this morning. It was getting the raw fuel out of the cylinder. It also explains the burnt smell I experienced when it happened. He suggested getting a bottle of fuel injection cleaner and running it in my next full tank. He says he's seen that happen before and if it continues to happen, I may have to get the injectors checked and if need be, replaced.

I had the timing belt, water pump, plugs and serpentine belt changed about 6 months ago on my 2005 LS430. I had around 110k miles on it at the time of the work. I had them keep my timing belt so I could see it and it didn't have any cracks or signs of deterioration at all. They replaced all the coolant obviously and it came to around $ 900.00. The biggest surprise is I had it done at the local Toyota Dealership. The closest Lexus dealer is 60 miles away. I was shocked at the price when he quoted me but he said they were having a special on the job. They even provided me a rental car for the day. Good timing I guess(pun intended!)

UPDATE! Today I had a new set of Michelin Premiere A/S tires put on my baby. Took her up on the interstate and up to 75mph. Smooth and quiet so far. I had 70k miles and 6 years on the MXV4 Primacy set I took off. They still had tread left but I can really tell the difference in noise and ride with the new ones. I'm ready for another 70k!

Yes, the A/S is one I am considering along with the MXM4. I have 18" so the MXV4 is no longer an option. Thanks!Bill

Thanks Randall. I'll probably go with the Premier A/S but I need to go to the shop that does all my balancing work. They were a little higher on the price when I bought the MXV4's but they've always gotten my business for rotate and balance and alignment work. Maybe they'll match prices this time. Tire Rack didn't come close on prices but they are good for reviews. Bill

I'm not on here often enough to know how to navigate the site very well so I'm just going to start a post, I hope you don't mind. I have the 2005 Lexus LS 430 with 119k miles and I love her. I bought Michelin Primacy MXV4's about 7 years ago and they've been the best tires on the best car I've ever owned. I think it's well known that that particular tire is no longer available :( So my question is this; they now have a Primacy MXM4 and the Premier A/S. I've done some research but I'm not sure which would be better for me. I'm strictly after comfort, durability and a quiet ride. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you!

I have 109k on my 2005 LS430 and I'm trying to get the time to have mine done now. I don't go on road trips right now because I dont feel confident enough until I get it changed. I've had my car since it had about 35k on it and it's not been changed yet either.

+1 on Michelin Primacy, they cost a bit more but I got mine at Sam's Club and saved $ 400 over my usual tire place. I then went to my usual tire place and bought a life time rotate/balance and flat repair for $65 and still came out ahead. I went to my usual tire place for that because I can be in and out in 20 minutes where as at SAMs it takes a long time.

I bought a 2005 LS430 and to be honest, I haven't experienced it's ride until recently. I had Falcon tires with probably 10-15k left on them. Problem is they were LOUD!! I replaced with Michelin MXV4 Primacy and WOOOO! What a difference. I priced at 3 different locations locally and went from $ 1257.00 to $ 957.00 out the door with lifetime rotate/balance/road hazard, tax.... Sams Club came through and I gotta say, I am HAPPY. This car with new tires is AWESOME. So smooooth and quiet. Best money I ever spent. Looking forward to road trips to see the Gators play. My Lex is pristine with 48k being an 05 LS430 I spent 23k to get it trading in an 05 ES330 with it's tranny shifting problems. Moonlight Pearl, I love it.

By not working do you mean not working at all? I've had two Lexus' an 05 es 330 and now an 05 Ls 430 and the mirrors would not go up or down. They would not go down when put in reverse either. In both cases I was still under warranty and they replaced free of charge. They would go in and out but not up or down. It seems to be somewhat common since the service tech didn't appear suprised.

I bought a 05 LS430 about a month ago. Moonlight Pearl, beautiful with 39k. Recently while washing it I had the smart key in my pocket and when I sprayed the car with water the two beeps heard when unlocking it would sound. Sometimes two, sometimes just once. Weird? This is my third Lexus and like the last one the side view mirrors would not go up and down from the inside, even with the switch in the correct position. They also wouldn't point down when I put it in reverse. Fortunately it is still under warranty. The dealer replaced both today and they work fine now. They also replaced the weather stripping on both rear doors due to Deterioration. Gotta love that 50k/4 yr warranty! Will get some pics up soon. It's flawless. Any ideas in the beeping??? Thanks.

I have an 05 330 with the same thing. It's the intermediate shaft in the steering column. Sometimes referred to as the knuckle. Fortunately mine is under warranty still and scheduled to be fixed in two weeks. There is a TSB out on it # ST001-05 for mine. Good luck.

Had the exact same problem with the passenger side mirror on my 05 ES.....the whole mirror assembly needs to be replaced. Is your ES still under factory warranty? Yes, still covered under warranty. I'll be having that along with the steering intermediate, lighter replaced. Few other small items also on the list. Excellent, cause the mirror is about $300+ alone. Any issues with your steering knuckle? That's a common issue with our generation ES.....had mine replaced around 42k miles. Just a heads up. ;) The knuckle and the intermediate are the same? I've heard it called the same and when speaking to the service writer at the dealer I mentioned that and he said it was. The answer is yes, I get that clunking sound when turning left. He seemed quite familiar with the problem. Said it would be no problem to replace under warranty. He was ordering the mirror assembly, intermediate shaft, lighter assembly and I also had him order that little convenience door that is just in front of your left knee on the dash. The ears on it are cheap plastic and have broken off so when you open it if not careful it will come out. Other than that they are going to look at the buttons on my NAV system that switch back and forth from audio screen and map and the open button that you use to get to the map dvd. I have to push the open button numerous times to get it to actuallt open then the same when closing. Thanks!

Had the exact same problem with the passenger side mirror on my 05 ES.....the whole mirror assembly needs to be replaced. Is your ES still under factory warranty? Yes, still covered under warranty. I'll be having that along with the steering intermediate, lighter replaced. Few other small items also on the list.

2005 ES 330 Driver side mirror won't go up or down but will move in or out from inside remote on dash. This disrupts the auto tilt feature when in reverse. Have tried manually moving mirror and moving the switch from left to center to right and back. Any thoughts?? Thank you.

Thanks Kashi but I had already found that in the 400+page owners manual. It worked but only after several attempts and combinations, not straitforward as in the the book.

Hello all, I'm new to the club but I've owned a Lexus for the past seven years. I started with a '99 es300 I bought three years old with 31k and kept it for 6 years. I recently traded it in on a '05 es330 with 31k. I have seen one other post about the door locks where they automatically lock once you put it in drive. As with the other fellow, I find myself having to hit the unlock button each time and unlocking the rear door. The manual says it can be programmed to not do this but you need the dealer. My closest dealer is 60 miles away. I wondered if anyone knew the sequence for changing this. I feel I will end up at the dealer any way as I will probably have to go have the steering knuckle changed due to a clunk I'm hearing and feeling in the column and the lag in the tranny they say they have an update for. OK, closer reading revealed the trick to reprogramming and it's done! Thanks all for the great forum!