What's Wrong With My Is?

[vinnyh]

Just recovering from a near crash..

I've noticed for the last couple of days that very occasionally, my IS200 seems to struggle to accelerate in lower gears.

Then, about half an hour ago, I was pulling out of a junction to turn right and my IS200's traction control came on and started blinking. Felt a bit of a shudder and I thought I'd hit a wet patch on the road or something.

Then a few minutes later I was going through a roundabout, only doing around 20mph when the rear end of the car suddenly lurched to the right. I steered into it and the rear end went left. After a few twists and turns I managed to straighten the car up and pull over for a change of trousers. Checked the wheels and tyres and eveeything looked fine.

Really put the sh*ts up me - if felt like the back wheels had a life of their own.

Any ideas what this could be or what's caused this? The car seems to be handling differently although I can't put my finger on exactly why it feels different?

[DJ Wozza]

Any other warning lights n at all ?

When was it last serviced/had wheels off etc ?

Diesel, Oil, Coolant on the road or maybe Tyre pressures ?

[Andy-R]

When you say near crash what do you mean, the car shouldn't be any different if you didn't actually crash , it's may just be in your mind and the roundabout thing could easily have been oil/diesel on the road and a big coincedence that it happened when your still abit shook up.

[kam05]

I was going through a roundabout, only doing around 20mph when the rear end of the car suddenly lurched to the right. I steered into it and the rear end went left. After a few twists and turns I managed to straighten the car up

Same thing happened to me once.

I had put too much tyre dressing on the tyres after washing my car (some actually went onto the tread of the tyre when it should have stayed on the sidewalls). Drove round a roundabout, nearly did a 180!

The rear of the IS200 is light, so it doesn't take much to get the back wheels spinning/sliding. What are the condition of the rear tyres? Whats the tread like? New? Worn? Also, what tyres (make) are on the back? Cheap/worn tyres will cause grip/handling problems.

[vinnyh]

Cheers all.

I didn't notice any warning lights but I was too busy trying to keep the car from mounting the roundabout!

Last service was 3 months ago (40k). My tyres are all Michelin Sports and are all in pretty good nick, lots of tread on them.

I might be putting 2 and 2 togther and getting 22, but it seems like a co-incidence that the car's handling has seemed a bit odd for a few days now, plus the occasional power dropouts when accelerating.. I'm guessing they are related but can't see how.

Update... I just checked my tyre pressures and noticed that one of the back tyres is only showing around 22, the others are 32. I guess there's a slow puncture... but could this cause the back end to go out like that? And that doesn't explain the power blips.. or does it?

[Steve ( West Mids )]

Tyre pressures and wet / grease on the road are the most likely cause.

[DJ Wozza]

Regarding your power losses, I'd suggest a coilpack on the way out maybe ?

Other than that I'd suggest re-setting your ECU.

Make sure the ignition is turned completely off

Open the Bonnet

Remove the engine bay fuse box cover

Remove the 20Amp/25Amp EFI fuse

Remove the 15Amp ETCS fuse

Wait 30 seconds

Re-insert the two fuses

Install the fuse box cover

Close the Bonnet

[vinnyh]

Cheers - will try an ECU reset tonight.

Will have a look on the way home for an oil patch - maybe that was all it was...