Solace

I had the same lights show up VSC, the traction? off, and the service engine. My car's fuel was very low. I filled the car w/gas, fastened the cap really tightly, and had the code reset. I drove it for a few days and the message has not reappeared.

Solace

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Yes, I did get the lock all hooked up and working. Thank you.

Thank you Code58. I placed "anyone" in bold letters to emphasize that I would accept help from anyone, kind of like an S-O-S. I hope you weren't offended. :D

Solace

Does anyone know the color of the wires that the work-around-solinoid for the door actuator needs to be sliced into?

Solace

Thank you Code58!

It's 1:10 am. I've about got the piggyback rigged to the locking mechanism. I'll do the wiring tomorrow...or later today. :P

Solace

What are the colors of the wires on the original lock mechanism, the ones that 2 wires on the piggyback actuator wires need to be T-ed into?

Are the blue and black wires the ones?

Thanks,

Solace

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Crisis averted.

I did think about boosting the battery, but fortunately I did not. I waited about an hour after I posted this thread and the car cranked.

The window still will not close. I had already checked the fuse before I posted and the fuse to the window was okay. I have had the intermittent closing issue with this window, but this was the first time that it absolutely would not close after a few minutes. About a month ago, I ordered one of the actuator that someone on the forum recommended. I am just going to take it to the mechanic and have him install the new one. I was able to move it from in front of the garage so that I can get my other car out. Good thing I wasn't on my way to an interview.

Help! I own a RX300. My driver's side window got stuck in the down position, so I tried disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery for a while, then reconnecting it. The window still won't raise, and there is an additional problem. The dash lights up with the key in the ignition position as it should, but when I put my foot on the break and try to crank the car, the dash all the lights go off and the car won't crank. Prior to disconnecting the negative lead, it ran fine.

Help! The car is outside of the garage and it is raining. I have taped up the window to keep the rain out, but the RX300 is blocking the garage entrance, so I can't get the other car out of the garage.

I'd like to avoid having it towed to the mechanic's shop totally dead. That might just open up a menu of opportunity to be charged for any and everything.

Any good suggestions are welcomed!!

Solace

Yes, it was synthetic. Thanks for the tips!

Solaces

I finally did get an reputable independent mechanic to change the oil. His shop specializes in Toyota, Lexus, and a few luxuary car work. They charged me $60 for the whole thing. The mech did suggest what you did ArnoldsLex. He said that I could come in in 3000 miles and just change the filter and 1 quart might have to be added.

If changing the oil is as simple as you say, I may try to change it myself next time.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Solace

Contact these guys, Joe's Hitch and Trailer: http://www.joes-hitchandtrailer.com/

They installed the wiring for towing on my RX300 and it cost me $60.62 total (labor and harness), so the harness can't be that much. Maybe they can ship a harness to you OR it might make for a good excuse to take a road trip!

Solace

Thanks for the responses. You have spoken and I have listened. I'll be avoiding the quick-change guys.

Solace

Has anyone had their oil changed at a Jiffy Lube-Type Place? I'm just currious. I have read where some of you change your own oil as opposed to taking it to the Lexus or Toyota dealerships. I have never changed my own oil, but I wondered if one of those quick-change oil places could as good a job?

Solace

When they installed my battery yesterday, pretty basic, but they install a 9volt battery in the lighter to keep the computer and radio settings. They said if you did not do this the car wont start for 30 minutes.....I think thats wrong.

Thanks Jeff.

I am just trying to get ready for when it is time for my battery change. Where did you get yours changed? Do you think using a 9Volt battery is something that all mechs know to do, so if I take mine to AutoZone and install it in the parking lot. They will have the 9V battery attachment?

Solace

When you all installed your batteries, was it as simple as with other cars? Did you have any problems with the car's computer loosing settings?

Solace

So the car was previously serviced for a similar type of problem ?

To my knowlege, no. It was a trade-in and the mech was prepping it for sale. ..so he was maintenancing the key cylinder mechanism. From the what I have read on the forum, steering wheel lockups seem to be a common occurence. The mech probably knew that so he was checking that area out as part of the prep.

Solace B)

Well, here's the rest of the story: The car got towed back to the Lexus dealership and the lock mechanism was worked on. I also got a new key made and programmed because there was a lot of "play" between the key and the lock chamber (The key wiggled around in the shafts.).

This is the explaination that the dealer gave of the repair work that addressed the steering wheel locking while the car was in motion:

" The technician who had originally serviced the lock cylinder replaced

the locking pin backwards, resulting in the steering column locking up

while you were driving it. That was repaired and checked..."

I'm hoping this will prevent the locking up issue while the car is in motion.

It would seem that this kind of thing may need to be checked periodically. How often? I don't know. ...but it was quite unsettling to be sitting in a lane while traffic zipped around me. If I had have been on I-35 instead of the access road OR was towing something, the story might have been tragic.

Thank you guys for your concern and suggestions.

Solace

I found it through an Altavista Search. I was considering purchasing a pre-owned RX300 and I wanted to research any known issues with the car. Recently, I was driving a 2001 RX300 when the steering wheel locked, so I've posted a question about that.

Solace

I have read through other threads about the steering wheel locking up while the car was parked or stationary, so please don't recommend that I read those post.

I was driving a 2001 RX300. I was on turning in one of those U-turn lanes on I-35, the car was in motion when the steering wheel locked up and would not unlock. I basically stopped the car and had to sit there w/my flashers on while car manuvered around me. Blessfully, I was on the access road of I-35 otherwise it might have been a major disaster. :o

Some guys who stopped to help managed to get the steering wheel to turn the other way, but it locked up again. We just drove it into the ditch to get it off the road.

1. Has this ever happened to anyone else while the car was in mothion?

2. What was the remedy?

3. What was discovered to be the cause?

Thank you,

Solace