Check Vsc Plus Engine Failure

Dreaded · March 19, 2011

Have searched and found many posts for the 'Check VSC' message, however it appears in all the car is still driveable - not so with mine!

IS 220D (Feb 08) c.35k miles

Today, drove fine this morning, then this afternoon pulled onto the main round off the drive, seemed OK, as I came out of the 30 zone, foot down to accelerate and the enginge just cut out. Dropped the clutch and hit the start button (which usually restarts the engine if you stall) but it did nothing. Pulled over and tried again, still nothing. Turned ignition off and tried again, engine just ticks over constantly but doesnt fire, and 'Check VSC' message is shown.

Phoned Lexus and told no one in to help until Monday, to phone my breakdown cover. So, had to wait an hour to be towed the few hundred yards back home!

Took the car in before Christmas as it was throwing out a lot of smoke at random intervals and performance seemed a bit variable. It was due to excess carbon build up (I think), and had a new lower half of the engine put in, or so I was told.

Seemed ok for a month or two, but then MPG started dropping and noticed performance issues (not picking up as well, occaisional 'cough' like stutter when doing a constant 30mph) so booked it back in and was told there was a loose bolt on the fuel pump. I also asked for a full check as the warranty was running out end of Feb. Everything fine I was told.

Seemed OK for a week, then driving home on a Friday there was complete lack of power, and no pick up when overtaking. Seemed OK on the Saturday, but booked it back in again incase 'the bolt had come loose' again. On the Sunday when driving in road work traffic, doing a constant 1,400 rpm in 1st gear, it was very jerky - felt like I was flooring the accelerator and lifting off repeatedly.

Took car into Lexus on Thursday, said the bolt was fine, however it sounded like the fuel pump as they had seen it 3 or 4 times before. Said there was nothing they could do until they had a fault code, but they would phone Lexus and give me a call back same day. I was told to carry on driving and if a fuel pump light came on (didnt know there was one?) to bring it back, but it was fine to drive.

Still waiting for that call 3 days on, and now I am completely with out a car!