CMC

Thanks for confirming I'm not going mad, and it should remember my settings. Now just to work out how to get it to do so again...

Hi, A little while back I had alternator failure and so the car was worked on with no battery for a few days. Since then I have noticed that every time I start the engine the climate temperature has reset to 22.5 and is off. Unless that is I have only switched off for a brief period, such as at a petrol station. I'm sure that, before the extended battery disconnection, the system remembered my settings regardles. Is there a way to make that happen again - I have looked in the manual but can't spot anything. Oh, and it's a MM system - 2006 IS250 SE-L. If relevant, when I do start the engine the led on the middle button under the screen (Front?) flashes orange for a few seconds before the climate controls light up and are operable. Many thanks. Chris

Hi, Actually, I didn't replace anything in the end. It just righted itself overnight. Not helpful I appreciate, but if you have a similar problem then try the fuses. Whether it needs any reprogramming or not I'm afraid I can't say. Chris

It was camshaft sensor not crank. To be fair they established it was a loose wire by swapping them over. So all in £100 to replace alternator. Plus £260 for the part. Could have been worse.

It turns out the alternator was dead. My local garage quoted 350 (inc) for the replacement part and it turns out it was only £260 (inc) from the stealership direct. So I went and got one and dropped it off at my local garage However, they are now telling me there is a fault with the front camshaft sensor! Strikes me as odd that it would go at the exact time. Could it be a wiring issue?

Hi, I think there were other lights on. I can't really remember how the brakes felt, I was preoccupied with getting myself out of the way. But I have resigned myself to getting a new alternator. It's booked into my local mechanics on Monday. I'll see what part price they come up with and go from there. Thanks everyone for the help. Chris

Hi, They all feel secure and there are no signs of rust. Chris

Hmm, not looking great. I had to jump the car first. The battery was reading about 11.5 volts. That jumpeed about one volt to 12.5 when I revved it. Turn on the lights and the 11.5 (no revving) dropped to about 11. That then went up to about 12 when revved. Regardless of the situation it never got even close to 14. Could that be because the battery is gone? Is there any other way to check other than buying a battery?

Thanks for all the suggestions and info folks. I'll be able to check everything out later this morning and will report back. As far as the battery goes it was supposed to be of spec - it was supplied by Euro Car Parts - and has been fine for 6 months or so. I'll check connections, run some voltage tests and go from there. I'm pleased to have several options before the Alternator comes into play and currently have my fingers crossed.

Thank you both. I'm not going to get a chance to test it properly until tomorrow now but I'll cross fingers for the battery. It's not that old though and I haven't knowingly run it down. I may even look and see if I have a receipt and if it is in warranty. Wiuld that explain the whine though? Would it put extra strain on the alternator perhaps?

Hi, I'm suspecting an alternator issue, but while I wait for it to stop throwing it down so I can take a proper look I was hoping to undearth a fix that wasn't going to cost 500+ Here's what happened... For the last week or so I've noticed a slight whine coming from the engine. A bit like the hum you get from the radio when suppression is failing, but the radio was off. Today, towards the end of a 50 mile motorway run, in the pouring rain, I had a power steering failure. I was off the motorway, on A roads and coming up to a roundabout. Travelling slowly I noticed all steering assistance had gone. I also noticed out of the corner of my eye that the battery light had come on and wasn't sure but I may have cut out. I managed to limp/muscle my way over the roundabout to get out of harm's way and then, being close to home thought I'd try and limp back. Then a few hundred yards further down the road, I noticed the steering assistance was back. So I decided to get home as carefully as I could. But I had to stop at a set of roadworks and as soon as I stopped the light came on again and the steering went again. I put it in park and revved which cut the light and away I went with steering fully assisted again in 50 yards. Anyway, I got home with one more steering failure as I turned onto my drive (after stopping for an oncoming car). So assuming the worst I'm thinking alternator failure. If anyone can make me feel better with an alternative solution, or cheaper problems to check first I'd be a happy bunny. And if anyone has any reliable alternator sources that might be useful too. A quick search at Euro Car Parts is coming up at £559! Thanks. Chris

Hi just a quick update. I tried the suggestions (thanks) and disconnected the battery overnight and charged it. Unfortunately in the morning it was the same. Then the keyfob started to work, locking the car. But not the unlocking! Thankfully I remembered the hidden keyhole. So I went to my local Lexus dealer to book it in - it is due a service anyway. The service manager said it sounded like the dome fuses (I think that is what he called them) which are below the engine fusebox. I assume they are the fixed ones under the see through panel. Anyway. Got in it this morning. And everything is back to normal!? No warning lights or Check VSC, locking and unlocking etc. All as it was before. So maybe it was just its way of getting me to book it for a service.... Thanks for the help.

Hi, Long story but while jumpstarting a friend's car the jump leads were connected the wrong way round with ensuing sparks etc. Since then my IS250 has 'issues'. The display says check VSC, with the accompanying red triangle. The remote isn't locking or unlocking the doors and the remote boot button doesn't work (but the lock all doors button on the drivers inside door panel does) The traction control off dash warning light is on and the switch does nothing AFS Off light is on and the switch does nothing. It starts -I haven't run it so not sure if it is in limp mode. Most other electrics seem to be working. I've checked the fuses that seem to relate to the bits not working and they seem fine. Any suggestions? Cheers. Chris

Not sure I'd use a rubber filament for this? I think a rigid material with a plastidip coating would be more effective. I do have some ninjaflex which similar to the product you linked to. I haven't used it yet but documentation suggest it sticks well to Kapton tape and needs a slow travel speed to compensate for the compression between the extruder drive gear and the hot end. Chris

Great thanks. I'll raise it with my local dealer.

Thanks. But my car has been serviced at the supplying dealer since new, wouldn't any relevant TSB have been done?

Thanks Both. I'll try your suggestions. However, if I can't charge at the same time that makes it pretty useless really. So I'd like to see if there is a way round that.

Hi, My 2006 IS250 has developed what I can only describe as a whistling wind noise from somewhere around the front end. Haven't quite worked out where yet. I can only describe it as the sound used to typify and eery wind in the movies. I'm certain its only just come on as since I got the car I've been impressed with how quiet it is. This noise isn't hugely loud but enough to be obvious. It starts about 35mph and is there until about 70. At the weekend I plan to tape up all the gaps around the screen and test drive to see if I can isolate it. But if there are any other suggestions I'd be grateful. Thanks. Chris

Hi, When connecting my iPhone to my stereo (2006 Levinson Nav system) via Aux I get noticeable interference. I've used a suppressed cable but still have the issue. Any suggestions? Thanks. Chris

Thanks. The filter has arrived, not fitted yet. But, Creo your point is interesting. I also ordered some additives as discussed in posts on here. At fill up on the weekend I added the one recommended for de-carbonising (BG44K). Again as stated before, totally unscientific, but... The journey following fill up - around 75 miles on steady A roads and Motorways was high 30s. Then on my commute today I've averaged 33mpg, where last week it was slightly over mid 20s. I've no idea if carbon can have that effect on economy, but early signs are good. I also got some A6200 as my brief test of V-Power showed not much improvement over standard Shell. I've not used it yet but plan to at the next fill up. Then I'll change the filter and do the ECU reset. I want to wait until the de-carboning fluid has done its work and things have settled down. So early days but definitely positive signs. I'll come back with further feedback. Chris

OBC at this stage as I'm comparing with feedback from others which mainly talks of the tank average. I'm not hung up on the ultimate figure I achieve, the fuel consumption per se is not the issue. Rather its that my experience is lower than those quoted by others in similar driving circumstances hence my wondering if there is something I can/should do. I will do a brimming exercise at some stage but suspect that will show lower figures.

How big do you think? 5mpg? Its not the end of the world, I knew I wasn't getting an economy machine. But I had assumed that around 30mpg would be an achievable average if I was sensible, from the reports read on here. If I can do something to get closer to that then great. if not so be it. I still love driving it. Sounds like the consensus (or the silence) points to nothing major to look at though. So I'll plug on with the filter and reset and see what happens. And will spec a thinner oil when its next due a service. I like having aircon on, it keeps the screen clear, so will probably stick with that. And then see what happens.

Thanks. Is a 5mpg fluctuation likely? Its not been that cold. Yes, I was under that impresssion and i'm testing the theory. I'll clarify this is a totally unscientific test! Week 1 sainsburys 25.2 Week 2 shell regular 26.6 Week 3 shell V Power work in progress I thing my brakes are Ok. i use aircon all the time, lights when its dark ;-) exhaust OK heater at 21. Tyres as book. Chris

Hi, I'm experiencing lower than anticipated fuel economy on my IS250. There are many posts on here quoting high 20s even 30 as an average on mixed driving. And then those quoting mid-high 30s on motorway runs. My tank average from mixed driving on my work commute has just struggled over 26. And this weekend I reset on a motorway - two junctions - all set at 70mph and it just scraped 30. Only just. Now, lets take driving style out of the equation. I'he had that debate and am pretty comfortable its good - but I'm focussed on it too. I'm looking at other ways I can improve the figure. I need to double check with them but I'm sure the dealership said 10/40 semi synthetic had been used on the last change. I realise that is not spec. But assuming it is true, would a change to 5w have a noticeable impact? if so how much. As a slight aside. I'm also planning to reset ECU and change to a K&N panel filter. Any other suggestions? Cheers. Chris

I'm not going by manufacturers figures. I'm going by figures reported on here. On that basis it seems ( after a very breif period of ownership) that thers could be room for improvement.