bobjol

Had exactly the same problem some weeks back on my 2005, LS430 on 80,000 miles. Fortunately, I had a code reader and was able to diagnose the problem immediately. Heater element gone on Bank 1, Sensor 1. Bought a Denso replacement lambda sensor for about £65 on ebay, and my local garage charged £30 to fit it. Problem solved and no warning lights. Good code readers are available online and not too expensive. As you mention, the socket is down under the dash on the left hand side, but you have to scrabble about finding it. Never ignore warning lights, they will not go away unless action is taken. Good luck for the future.

This is a normal with the V8 lexus. I read lots of reviews when I bought mine about 3 years back and they all said, great car, great power but its built for the Exectutive market at around £42,000. I remember one road test which said "dont try to beat the boy racers from a standing start, but give them a wave 5 seconds later" Mine has done 87000 and fully serviced with genuine plugs, oil etc and I know from experience that it will not fly away from a standing start. My pal asked for a drive recently after 4 new tyres and MOT pass. We went onto long, quiet road and I told him to boot it but be prepared. He hit it and thought nothing was happening until it took off and reached 70 in seconds. He said he has never driven a car with so much acceleration. Dont worry about the slow start, its normal for that model.

I bridge the terminals with the ignition off, and then switch on the ignition. Don`t start the engine. It only needs a few seconds with ign on. Then switch off and remove the bridge. This method has worked for me in the past and the problem lights only come on after I have used my code reader to diagnose some other faults like o2 sensors. Online research shows that many code readers will trigger these lights when in fact the traction control is not the problem. I am no expert in this solution and spent a lot of late nights researching this online and was very wary of bridging terminals with a paper clip in case I started blowing fuses or relays. The diagnostic plug on your 98 model may be wired differently from mine and out of 16 terminals, I think only about 7 or 8 are live on mine. Its not easy lying on your back in the footwell !! Take care and maybe do a bit of research on your model before attempting the job.

Hi Ray, Many thanks for prompt reply. Only a few of the sockets on my diagnostic plug have live terminals and 12 is not one of them. However this prompted me to try bridging 4 and 14 and it worked. The VSC off and VSC warning lights are now off. As mentioned before, I have tried this method in the past and it always works for my model ( GS430 on a 04 plate ) but had forgotten the terminal numbers to bridge. Now noted in my code reader case. Once again thanks. B.

About 18 months ago I used my OBD reader, to trace an o2 fault and set off the vsc and vsc off warning lights on dash. Seems a common occurrence with some code readers. Found some good info online about resetting lights using a paper clip and bridging two terminals on diagnostic socket under the dash. This worked first time and problem went away. Had another o2 code recently and as expected the vsc warning lights came back on. My problem is that I have lost my written instructions on clearing the lights and cannot remember the procedure. I vaguely remember terminals 5 and 10 but cant be certain, and the rest of the procedure has gone in the mist of time. Can anyone post the full instructions for me, please. Many thanks.

After a run, feel your two front wheels and see if they are very hot to touch. This model suffers from binding calipers and with the powerful engine, its not easy to detect when driving. A small amount of drag on the breaks can cause a lot of extra throttle pressure. Not sure if this is your problem but its worth looking out for.

I do very short runs and small mileage each week and was finding that battery was low . My warning sign was alarm going off in middle of night inside my garage. Decided to run it on motorway for about 20 miles or so each week and now no problems with battery. When using it on short trips, make sure no a/c, hrw, seat heaters, sunroof etc etc are used as these will drain battery. B.

Hi there, I know this message is four weeks ago but hope it is still open. My engine warning light came on and local garage did diagnostic and found faulty o2 sensor. They reset warning light and gave me price for repair. On way home the VSC OFF light and VSC light came on. Some research on the internet showed this is a common problem when diagnostics are carried out. I am waiting for replacement o2 sensor to arrive, but managed to cancel the above warning lights with the help of a paper clip and some instructions found online. The faulty o2 sensor and the VSC lights are not connected . Like the previous answer it works although I was a bit concerned about bridging terminals in my diagnostic terminal. It worked for me and if you require more details, post a reply because I do not have the exact terminal details to hand.

Hi all, Just some information regarding my GS430 sport. Decided to renew plugs having done 78000 miles. Presently fitted with Denso SK20R11 and requiring 8 wanted to get best price. Lexus Glasgow quoted me £107.33 inc vat for full set and £164.93 fitted. On Ebay, found that Lexus Birmingham were offering same plugs but in sets of six. Contacted Chris Cooper at Lex-Birm and my set of 8 arrived by post yesterday morning. and the cost? - - - £58 including vat, postage & packing. My birthday was last January, so whats going on? Lets get the tools out.

Before you sling it, go to the new Lexus garage at Townhead and ask them. their advice is free and may only be a fuse or something simple. Good Luck.

I have exactly the same problem, but on two different vehicles. My Lexus GS430 sport (04) 70000 miles and fully serviced will only click when trying to start from a few days without use. I have to wait until the fuel pump has stopped (audible sound) when turning key to first position and all lights go off. Then starts ok and runs fine without any further starting problems. My Peugeot Expert has a new battery, and starter motor but still clicks sometimes instead of firing up. The click seems to be coming from the fuse/ relay area and I have been told there may be a voltage drop between the ignition and starter. The Lexus problem is minor as I can deal with it but the Peugeot is more unpredictable.

My GS430 has done 73,000 on a 04 plate. When is the timing belt due for replacement? Thanks for any suggestions, BJ

Same problems with my GS430. Traction Control will not get you out of trouble if your tyres are not getting grip in the first place. It is designed to assist control when traction to the tyres is lost during normal driving. In snow conditions, cars always get better grip going in reverse. If you can reverse to a level area and then go into snow mode and be very, very light on the gas you may just be able to ease the car into enough momentum to overcome the slippy surface. Its a case of trial and error but avoid big revs and try to be patient.

Many thanks. I emailed Lexus and got similar reply to yours from the Service Manager. No worries now but just waiting for the rain to stop.

The battery on my 04 sport is starting to drop off and it looks like the original as it has a Toyota label on it. Want to replace it now before winter kills it. I know it needs top of the range unit to cope with all the demands of a Scottish winter and am happy to purchase that, but want to fit it myself. Are there any pitfalls I should know about when changing over like loss of remote key functions and codes for radio etc. Thanks for any advice or information. BJ

Greetings everyone, Recently bought GS430 on an 04 plate from reputable dealer, with new MOT, and no problems so far. 69K miles and full Lexus History. Drove about 4 miles today to nearest filling station for fuel and then checked tyre pressures, which were all 32PSI. I could feel heat from the o/s/f wheel and noticed that the brake disc was very warm to touch but not scalding hot. The n/s/f disc was also warm but not as much as the other. There was no heavy braking on the way to the filling station. Sounds to me like a bit of brake binding. I am a new convert to Lexus after being fed up with Merc body work. Any thoughts or experience of this one ? Many thanks B