Mihanicos

Emanualsonline have very comprehensive repair manuals in pdf form for about 35Euro, or thereabouts. However, as far as I know, they do not include any diagnostic trouble codes relating to each specific topic in their manual and how to diagnose and repair their cause. Lexustech.eu have their repair manuals on line and it will cost you about 6 Euro per hour. The rate improves as time increases. You can print anything you want during that time. Chris.

Whenever you replace any VSC components or do a front wheel alignment you need to clear the zero point calibration data and calibrate the yaw rate and acceleration sensor zero point. It is very easy to do the calibrations using the Techstream or any other diagnostic tool capable of doing so. All instructions and settings are in the Techstream or the diagnostic tool and you just follow the instructions. Chris.

If the VSC control is turned off then the VSC OFF indicator light comes ON. First of all check that the battery voltage is between 10 and 12 v. If the voltage falls below 10v especially when cranking, VSC OFF will come ON. Check that the Skid control ecu is securely connected. Check the harness for any damage. Look for corroded or bent pins. Check that the VSC switch operates correctly using a multimeter. Check the CAN communication system. Check that you have a good ground at the skid control ecu. Chris.

If your gearbox has a mesh type oil filter, normally fitted on Japanese market cars, it does not need to be replaced. If you have a paper oil filter, then it must be changed. When the transmission fluid is drained, only about half is drained. Therefore you need to remove the sump. The procedure recommended in Toyota/Lexus repair manuals is to add about half a litre of transmission fluid more than the amout drained. For no dipstick models, you must circulate the oil by manually selecting each gear of the transmission, remain for 5 seconds at each gear and go down and up the range twice. Then you monitor the fluid temperature and you drain between 30C and 40C. Go for a test drive and check that you have no line pressure code. If you do have, then you must find the cause, normally the fluid must be circulated longer. There is a thermostat on the oil circuit from the sump to the oil cooler, it opens at the right temperature to cool the oil. It is of paramount importance to circulate the oil to the oil cooler, to establish the correct amount of oil and eliminate any air pockets. If you have a dipstick, just fill up to the correct level according to the fluid's temperature. Make sure you circulate the oil as outlined above. Recheck when at normal operating temperature. There are many videos on Youtube about flushing and the adverse problems that may arise and how to change the transmission fluid. Chris.

Before brake bleeding, with the power switch OFF, remove the two ABS motor relays. Then turn power switch ON. Bleed the front brakes, furthest from brake master cylinder first. Then do the other one. To bleed the rear brakes, turn power switch Off, install the two ABS motor relays, and then turn power switch ON. With the Techstream or any other diagnostic tool, select " electronically controlled brake system invalid. " without this option, the solenoid will not functon and no fluid will be pushed out of the brake system when you depress the brake pedal, rendering rear bleeding impossible. With the brake pedal depressed, bleed the rear brakes. There is a lot of fluid coming out due to the solenoid pushing brake fluid out. Make sure you always have the reservoir filled and observe you do not allow too much fluid to come out. If you draw air in, you must repeat the process from the beginning. During rear bleeding, ignore buzzers and trouble codes. When you finish, reset electronically controlled brake system and clear all codes. Chris.

The health check of any battery is the measurement of the internal resistance of each cell of the said battery. For Panasonic hybrid batteries, if my memory serves right, their healthy value is about 0.020 Ohms. As a battery cell deteriorates, its internal resistance increases threby causing it to reach full charge and discharge in a very short time, ie its capacity decreases. Techsream and other scanners will display the relevant data. Chris.

Being a regular reader of the club's posts, I did notice that Britprius was very quiet for some time, very unlikely of him. I have never met him but always admired and respected his knowledge on so many subjects. I will always be grateful to him for learning through his so many posts. My sincerest condolences to his family. Chris.

From the trouble codes, you have misfiring on all four cylinders. This indicates the cause to be common to all cylinders. You have a lean or a rich mixture in the cylinders. Begin from the Mass Air flow meter by cleaning it. Check the air induction system from the MAF meter and beyond towards the inlet manifold for damage that can allow unmetered air to be drawn on into the engine. Check the fuel delivery pressure to the cylinders and repair the cause if not to specifications. Check the fuel delivered per minute by the injectors and their spray pattern. You need a specialist to do that for you. Check the spark plugs, clean and set the gap. Look at the freeze frame data to guide you as to what caused the misfiring. Warm up the engine to normal temperature and look at the short term and long term fuel trims. Using this data you should be able to find out which variable is causing the problem. Chris.

If you can access the contactor it may be possible to replace it by another used from another unit. You can also replace it by another of the same or higher rating available in the electrical market. This involves removing the faulty contactor and completing the circuit to a replacement contactor placed in a suitable box close by. You should be able to find everything you need in England. Chris.

The colour of the spark plug tip tells you a lot about the engine condition and the flame propagation within the cylinders. Light chestnut brown is the ideal colour for stoichiometric combustion. Modern engines tend to run slightly on the lean side on motorway cruising due to cleaning of the oxygen sensors and the higher operating temperature of the combustion chamber. Hence the higher mpg on the motorway around the 70 mph speed. From the photos your engine is in a very good condition. Normally there should be no oil on the threads of the spark plugs. In your case it may come from outside due to a valve cover gasket leak or due to lower torque tightening of the spark plugs. I am not sure of your engine configuration or the torque specification of the spark plugs. For my car, as I recall when I changed them, the recommended torque was 19 Nm and there was no oil on the threads. Chris.

To pinpoint the problem and decide which remedial action you should follow, you need a scan tool, preferably the Techstream. There is a number of sub codes, each referring to a different circuit malfuncton with specific procedures to find the fault and subsequently repair it. If you have P0AA4-242 the car will not run. First thing to check is the freeze frame data which will guide you to the problem. If you intend to carry out any inspection or work on the car's high voltage systems/circuits, you must observe all safety rules and codes of practice relating thereto. Before any inspection or work is done, you must wait at least 10 minutes after you have removed the service plug to give time to the capacitors within the inverter with the converter assembly to discharge. There are a few learned members of very high ranking who hopefully will help out. Kindest regards, Chris.

I think you are referring to the safety plug in the boot. Make sure you insert it the right way and as you move the release lever the plug slides sideways to engage the contacts. Look at their position to help you see how the contacts engage. Chris.

Try JB weld or Verca Steel. I glued together the plastic lid of the canister of a Toyota Avensis successfuly. Both set in a few minutes to industrial standards. Can withstand very high temperatures too. Chris.

Check the buckets of the hydraulic self adjusting valves. There are videos on Youtube how to test them. The timing chains, guides and tentioner should normally last until full engine overhaul. The engines of well maintained Lexus, Toyota should normally exceed 450000 miles. Some engines exceed 1 million miles. Chris.

Any manifold goes on forever unless it develops crack and it leaks. Exhaust manifolds are made from cast iron or an alloy and there are many epoxy fillers that can seal them to perfection and exceed the heat rating of the manifold should they develop a crack. If an oxygen sensor has seized on an exhaust manifold, a little persuasion by heating can release it. Make sure you heat the sensor and not the manifold. There are special wrench sockets to release the oxygen sensors. Chris.

You can check for any software updates by logging into Lexustech.eu and entering your VIN number. However this is considered as a last resort after having tried all possible solutions to a given issue. Before applying any updates, you should look for any Technical Service Bulettins relating to the said issue and follow them. If your car is ok without any issues, or trouble codes which cannot be cured, then you shouldn't be worried. Chris.

I would first change the oil filter and the transmission fluid, using original parts. Make sure the transmission fluid level is correct when hot. The transmission fluid and filter are subject to a maintenance schedule which must be adhered to. If the problem persists, log into LexusTech.eu and enter your VIN number and you can find out if there are any technical service bulettins relating to your problem. In such a case there should be a remedial action and possibly an ecu softwear update to cure the problem. Chris.

A petrol engine is easier and much cheaper to repair than a diesel engine. Fuel wise the difference is very small. Consider only the cost of maintaining the diesel fuel injectors let alone the cost. Some injectors cannot be maitained and when they develop a problem you have to replace them. Similarly for the high pressure fuel pump. Just ask their price. Diesel engines last for many thousands of miles if they operate continuously and on motorway cruising. If they are used for city driving and short trips, you would be lucky if they last about 100000 miles. When a diesel engine loses compression it will not start and you will need to overhaul the engine, replace the cylinder liners, new pistons, grind the crankshaft, new cylinder head valves, valve guides....... It will probably cost more than the value of the car. Refinement wise between petrol and diesel engines, simply there is no comparison. Chris

You can check the sensor by applying 4.5v dc ( three batteries in series ) accross the two outer terminals. Connect a voltmeter accross the negative terminal and the middle terminal of the sensor ( there are only 3 terminals ). The sensor is a potensiometer. As you slowly move the arm of the sensor from one end position to the other, the voltage reading should vary linearly from about 0.25v to 4.3v. Be very careful with the pins of the sensor and use insulated female pins for the connections to the sensor. Be very careful not to make a short circuit with the connections to the sensor. Alternatively, with the low beam on, move the disconnected arm of the sensor and observe that the low beam returns to its original aiming irrespective of the arm's position. This test will also verify that the servo motor within the headlight assembly controlled by the level sensor is functioning as well. If the sensor is working, you only need to buy the links. Make sure you mark the position of the bracket all round. One of the holes on the bracket is not concentric allowing some adjustment to factory settings. Othetwise is a straight forward job. Chris.

You can get a repair manual from " emanualsonline " for about 30 euro. They are very comprehensive and detailed. Follow the procedure outlined in the manual. Measure the various dimensions and clearances to determine which parts can be reused. Cleansiness inside and outside is the key to a perfect job. Do not worry about the timing chains, there are marks which should be aligned. Make certain you verify these marks before you begin dismantling, as a matter of principle and confirmation with the repair manual marks. Should you encounter any difficulties in the repairs, you can count on my help. Chris

I have seen photos of the buble gauges on the GWS 190 models. I removed both level sensors and checked them. Both were in order. Then I tested the servo motors of the head lights and they were in order too. Then I set up a diagram to test the alighnment of the headlights at a distance of 10 metres from the car. To my surpise they were spot on. Today I had the headlights checked at my MOT garage and I could see they were exactly spot on. Seeing is believing ! The only conclusion I can draw is that the ecu controlling the headlight operation was reset due to the disconnection of the battery prior to disconnecting and removing the level sensors. Disconnecting the battery was deemed necessary to avoid air bag deployment. Concluding, I would like to thank you all for your help, response, comments and suggestions. Kindest regards, Chris.

Attached here are the same documents as before with the right orientation. I had another go today to access the bubble gauges but without success. On the previous model they are visible exactly where they are shown on the repair manual. I cannot understand why they are shown to exist but in reality there is no way to access them. The 8 mm plastic bolt seems to be an integral part of the plastic housing of the headlights. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Chris Scan0001.pdf Scan0002.pdf Scan0003.pdf

Thank you very muchfor your response. I will resubmit the pages tomorrow facing the right way. Chris.

Has anybody done any headlight adjustments using the spirit levels within the headlights? Attached are the drawings from Lexus Tech Doc and it would appear to get to those spirit levels an 8 mm plastic bolt must be removed found at the top of the headlights. I tried to release the bolt but it is seized. Is the bolt just holding a plastic lid to stop water getting into the lights? I do not want to cause any damage due to lack of knowledge of what is below or what the bolt is holding together. The height sensors on the front and rear are ok and functioning. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Chris.

The current rating of any conductor/cable depends on its cross sectional area , the material is made of, the ambient temperature of operation ( derating factors apply as the temperature increases ), how they are laid and the kind of circuit protection it has. (Close excess current protection allows 30% over rating. This refers to mcb circuit breakers and high rapturing fuses. ) Another limitation to comply with when designing circuits is the voltage drop per ampere per metre of the conductor/cable in question. The higher its cross sectional area the lower its voltage drop per ampere per metre. For power distribution electrical installations, this limit is set to 6% of the nominal supply voltage. There are tables of the current capacities of cables, conductors according to their cross sectional area and in AWG, in Google. Chris.