Microwave Impact On Ls 430 Electronics

[malc4444]

Some of you may recall stories 10-15 yrs ago of the impact that the Rugby tranmission aerial was claimed to have on Audis driving up the M1, I believe that some claimed that the engine stopped.

Well I have found something similar on the LS430. Driving on the M40 c. 1 mile east of Junc.2, (Beaconsfield), the alarm pings and the VSC warning light comes on. I have now replicated this 3 times in both directions. The alarm eventually goes off of its own accord, or on re-starting the car away from the area.

Lexus UK confirm that relatively high energy microwaves can cause this issue, e.g. they have examples around the military installations in Portsmouth. NB. An article in the Sunday Times 2 weeks ago described a new USA weapon which uses focussed microwaves to "kill" the electronics in weapon systems.

On my example at Beaconsfield, just north on the M40 at this point is an MOD/Govt centre which is known locally as a language centre, ( Gurkhas are seen locally), but there obviously may be more nefarious activities there.

Has anybody else had the symptom?

[Malc]

I had a similar problem with a Saab ( sorry !! ) a few years back in Ashford Kent town centre with the communications mast there just buggering up the workings on the electronic key fob.

So it's probably not just in one or two locations I guess.

Malc

[egolex]

ufo s seem to have the same effect.

[abs66]

My father's range rover would never unlock if near the doors at his local Morrison's and he wasn't alone with that problem.

I can't park my Mk3 near the doors at aldi without the alarm going off every time someone goes in or out of the store entrance.

[Lexmanic]

If you have a caravan with an electric mover remote it can kill your car transponder key's functions

[Bluesbreaker]

That old car-alarm bugbear rearing it's annoying head again, the curse of modern electronics, my Mk4 Ls400 doesn't like some shopping-malls, walk away from locking it, 9 out of 10 chance the alarm goes off, click, walk away again, off it goes again, and again, I prevent this now, by manually locking the doors -which on a car as sophisticated as this seems a contradiction-but it does lead to a quieter life in public, trouble is, who ever pays any attention to car alarms going off anyway? don't see the the point of them these days on cars, just another thing to go wrong.....

[IHgs300]

Our is200 wont lock remotely at our local petrol station, yet everywhere else it's fine?????

[cleverdick]

Some of you may recall stories 10-15 yrs ago of the impact that the Rugby tranmission aerial was claimed to have on Audis driving up the M1, I believe that some claimed that the engine stopped.

Well I have found something similar on the LS430. Driving on the M40 c. 1 mile east of Junc.2, (Beaconsfield), the alarm pings and the VSC warning light comes on. I have now replicated this 3 times in both directions. The alarm eventually goes off of its own accord, or on re-starting the car away from the area.

Lexus UK confirm that relatively high energy microwaves can cause this issue, e.g. they have examples around the military installations in Portsmouth. NB. An article in the Sunday Times 2 weeks ago described a new USA weapon which uses focussed microwaves to "kill" the electronics in weapon systems.

On my example at Beaconsfield, just north on the M40 at this point is an MOD/Govt centre which is known locally as a language centre, ( Gurkhas are seen locally), but there obviously may be more nefarious activities there.

Has anybody else had the symptom?

Not specifically, but I'm surprised that there aren't more airbag detonations caused by mobiles, wi-fi devices etc. in cars.

A few years back I drove past the Daventry DAB transmitter site, and I'll tell you what - I could actually feel the RF radiation. (My gen 1 LS400 kept going, though!)

[ManicMark]

That old car-alarm bugbear rearing it's annoying head again, the curse of modern electronics, my Mk4 Ls400 doesn't like some shopping-malls, walk away from locking it, 9 out of 10 chance the alarm goes off, click, walk away again, off it goes again, and again, I prevent this now, by manually locking the doors -which on a car as sophisticated as this seems a contradiction-but it does lead to a quieter life in public, trouble is, who ever pays any attention to car alarms going off anyway? don't see the the point of them these days on cars, just another thing to go wrong.....

If you have metal objects in the centre arm rest it can cause the alarm to go off. Picks Up the door openers & security scanners on shop entrances.