GS450hSE

On my 2008 GS450h, owned for six years - BOTH High-Beam Headlights just stopped working simultaneously and without any warning. I noticed it when driving and I tried to use them. The bright blue dashboard light indicator for the main beam comes on, and there is no warning message on the dash. But those headlights aren't working (all the others are).

Easy, you say - their shared fuse must have blown.

Per the manual, both paper and online versions, one 20A fuse in the engine compartment fuse box handles both L & R main beam lights. So, I went to replace it:


From the instruction manual

To my shock, the corresponding fuse (20A) was perfect, and tightly seated. Continuity-checked with a multimeter. In case the wiring didn't correspond to reality, I checked all the fuses around - all were also OK.

So I whipped out my OBDII scan tool app on my mobile (BlueDriver gizmo plugged into the vehicle's OBDII port), but no error code of any kind shows up.

The only odd thing I can think of is, in the last year, and only a couple of times - the car is driven thrice a day on average - the left dipped beam light did not come on, but came on when I gave the outside of the housing a thump.

Please, what do I do next?

I've heard there is a relay in the circuit, perhaps shared between the L and the R high-beam lights.  Could this be the culprit - and where is it located?

Hi,
DIM DIM DIM  - 3rd Gen GS450h (2008)
Help!
Is there any way I can get the interior illumination lights - say the main one in the console above the rear-view mirror - brighter?
The flip-out panel which has the wing mirror controls has switches to control the instrument panel lights but there's no controls for the interior lighting.
I can improvise (and can solder), and there's a lot more out there in terms of LED lighting than there was in 2008.
 

3 hours ago, LenT said:

When I had to have a TPMS valve replaced (it had been sheared off  by a helpful stranger trying to release a seized dust cap!) a large nearby tyre retailer fitted a replacement for about £65.

I would be inclined to investigate them first - and possibly negotiate a deal on a set of four. It may even be that they can detect the battery levels prior to removal.

Mine has now been sorted at a clued-up local tyre specialist.

They used their gizmo to detect which sensor had a low Battery.

They removed it and, with the same gizmo, cloned its code on to a brand new sensor/valve, which was then fitted.

One press of the reinitialise pressures button (under the steering wheel, adjacent to the ODB-II port) and all's well.

Total cost £65+VAT.

2008 GS450h (RHD UK version) 45,000 miles

With no prior warning or reason, after 10 miles driving alone* @ motorway speeds, a TPMS "Check System" error flashed up. I checked tyre pressures - all fine, given they were warm.

I've not encountered this before. Of course I've had Low Tyre Pressure warnings, which usually meant that one of the tyres needed to be topped up, but occasionally/rarely were false warnings that went away by themselves.

This "Check System" error stayed on during the rest of the 70 mile drive. Now safe in a driveway, I went through the procedure in the instruction book - Power On, pressed/held down the "SET" button (which they describe as the TPMS warning reset button) located beneath the steering wheel, but no "PRESSURE INITIAL" error message appeared - the "Check System" error remained displayed throughout. Tried the steps a few times, without success.

I checked if, by some miracle, the Main/2nd TPMS button under the glove box was on "2nd" (since there was no passenger, how could it - nothing could have touched it) - nope, it was on "Main". I tried Main -> 2nd - Main but this too didn't displace the "Check System" error.
Nor was my Bluedriver Android app (which is paired with the Bluedriver gizmo plugged into the GS450h's OBD-II port) able to give more information or clear the message.

Am I missing another fix, or does it sound to you as if one of the sensors (all the same age) has a low Battery? If so, and the sensors are sealed, it would be sensible to put a brand new set of four in the car. The sensors are at least 6 years old and probably quite a bit more.  Or can just the Battery be changed?

And - if it isn't a Battery - what's the next most likely cause, please?

9 hours ago, Las Palmas said:

Are the exhaust not made of stainless? Should last lifetime of the car if they are. Had one made in Sweden on a Porsche 199X something and last time I saw the car (not many years ago) exhaust still looked new (rest of the car did not).

Mild steel, mostly.  Good business for Lexus as they charge upwards of £3,000+VAT for their own (i.e., OEM) exhausts...

9 hours ago, Malc said:

"subject to the downpipe front end being sorted by a specialist exhaust guy in Maidstone before the next MOT end of the year"

Craig at Maidstone Exhaust Centre, or ?

My GS450h is 14 years old.  Done only 48,000 miles in it, from new.  Never mistreated.   Stored outside, but not in a saline environment.  Sails through its MOTs.  Never any problems.

Until:

Yesterday, heard a loud rattle from the rear when I pulled away from home.  I stopped immediately.  The silencer (muffler backbox at the end of the exhaust) on one side had come completely loose from the main body of the exhaust, and, together with the exhaust/end pipe. was being dragged.

Long and short, much of the Y section of the exhaust is corroded.  The sections closest to the silencers are badly corroded.  The silencers and tailpipes themselves are perfect.

No point even trying to weld it back - the metal has had it.  So a mechanic will fabricate a brand-new Y piece and weld it in to place.  A 2-3 hour job, cost (outside London) upwards of £200.

Have I been unlucky?

On 2/11/2020 at 3:10 PM, Gliderpilot said:

From memory my 400h wasn't 1 a week. but if you have the lights on it does wash the headlights too. I think it holds just short of a gallon (5L).

Except that a gallon is a lot less than 5 litres, and even more so in the U.S. sphere of influence (4.546 and 3.785 litres respectively).

Found a fix now.  I've fitted duct tape round the existing shanks and they work perfectly.  I'd been used an underpowered tyre pump to attempt to fill the tyres.  Now got a Ring 750 (AC-powered - £65), and I can fill the tyres easily when I need to.  So, problem sidestepped.

I bought my 3rd generation GS450h a year ago, everything fine. Decided to check the tyre pressures. Tried to take the large valve caps off - they were METAL - and were absolutely impossible to shift. I put some large grips on them, but due to an electrochemical reaction the caps were fused to the threaded shank of the valve. Tried hammering, penetrating oil, old Coke, heating, cooling - no way would they unscrew.

Took the car to tyre shops - they too couldn't shift even a single cap, all warned that if any more force was used, the valve might burst wide open.

So I used a Dremel hi-speed cutting tool and sheared off the valve caps as carefully as humanly possible, but so bad was the fusion that, while I did cut the caps and prise them off in pieces, there was damage to the threaded shanks below, making topping up air pressure difficult-to-impossible.

I found the sensor part number - Pacific PMV-107K = Lexus 42607-50010 of the damaged ones still inside, and ordered 4 s/hand ones, original equipment and identical-looking to the ones being junked.

I thought there'll be no further hassles. Wrong.

I now have to find someone with the kit to add the 4 valve and transmitter ID codes to the car's computer. My Bluedriver ODBC-II scan tool (bought for about $100 from the States) can't do it.

No way do I take this to a Lexus main dealer, they charge an arm and a leg and a half, plus they manage to introduce new problems. I buy Lexus in spite of the dealership quality, not because of them.

What hope do I have of finding an independent tyre shop with the right ODBC kit to make the change?

Thanks, Lee.  I reconfirm neither of these TPMS buttons is present on my vehicle.

NEW QUESTION

I'm finding the internal lighting infuriatingly dim !

The Owner's Manual is completely silent on the matter of changing the map/dome light.

I believe its LED light bulbs are type "194".  Much more powerful (CAMBUS compatible) 194 bulbs are available (naturally, I would check heat output). The "spot" units fitted are giving about 50 lumens.  Here are 194s which give 200 lumens per bulb:

http://www.vleds.com/shop-application/interior/194.htm

The car's light fitting looks rather like this one:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/gs-3rd-gen-2006-2011/246459d1336852786-06-gs-spot-map-interior-lights-vs-07-gs-difference-dsc05292.jpg

Is there an easy way to open it up to get at the bulbs?

If I do, are the 194 or other bulbs user-changeable, or has Lexus soldered them in?

7 hours ago, Britprius said:

Again this button for the TPMS is hidden above the pedals almost within the pedal mechanisms. Why they put it there I do not know when it could have been in the drop down box with the other buttons for the mirrors, and such.

Look at the tyre valves on the wheels. If they are black rubber then you do not have TPMS. If the are grey aluminium finish then you do have TPMS.

John.

Thanks.

Ordinary black rubber...

1 hour ago, Britprius said:

Are you sure about the TPMS as my understanding is that this was a standard feature across the range. I am wondering if someone has defeated the warning system to save the expense of replacing the valves.

I was a bit puzzled too.

In the Driver's Manual there is a reference, in the 'Maintenance and care' section, to the Tyre Pressure Warning System and to a reset/initialisation switch (a button, from the picture) below the steering wheel.

There is definitely no such button below my steering wheel... nor any blanking plate.

The car is not an "import", and was first registered in 2008.

On 11/1/2017 at 6:53 PM, Britprius said:

The OBD port is above the brake pedal, and close to the reset button for the TPMS. It is not mounted on the trim panels but further under. Being able to stand on your head is almost a requirement. 

John.

Thanks, and to Farqui too.  Will go out to the car to look again.

By the way, my 2008 GS 450h does not seem to have TPMS fitted (hence, no reset button).

Quick question.  I had a peer under the steering column (without removing any trim) and cannot immediately find the OBD-II port.

Where exactly is it, please?

Thanks, Odysseus.  Read, understood and I've bookmarked the eBay "auction" item.

I have an additional question. I've only got one key for the car, and this makes me uneasy.
I'm confident I can find out the "Key Number".

Is there a more economical way of getting a spare key than going to a Lexus dealer? They want GBP 300+!

21 hours ago, Shahpor said:

Doesn't the GS of that model year come with the Gen05 sat nav?

Yes, the satnav fitted is Gen05.

20 hours ago, stevet said:

You should have an aux in socket in the armrest storage.

Yes, a mini-stereo jack.  If I connect this to the headphone output of my Samsung S8, will I be able to play music through it?  There is a DISC/AUX button so I assume it will be straightforward, though I'll have to rely on the Samsung's screen for menus etc.

19 hours ago, Odysseus said:

You’re a brave man to attempt to retrofit a sunroof! It was an option on the 2008 GS450h - I have one - and if it helps I can take a picture of the controls so you can get a factory look.

With regards to adding audio inputs, google VLine Grom, or just Grom Lexus. I had a Grom USB in a previously owned Volvo S80 and the sound quality was excellent, much better than FM bluetooth adaptors. About £120 including AD2P Bluetooth dongle, but I did the fitting. Not sure I’d be as brave with my Lexus.

I am not that brave! If I go ahead with the sunroof, I'll use an aftermarket specialist installer approved by Webasco/Hollandia, the manufacturer.

Thanks for the tip re the Grom Vline.  This is the one for my car:

http://gromaudio.co.uk/products/vl1-infotainment-upgrade/lexus-toyota-2006-2009-grom-vline-infotainment-system-upgrade-video-interface.html

It is temporarily out of stock but expected within a fortnight.

The Vaistech VML is also being recommended: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-third-generation/512938-vaistech-vml-installed-in-3gs-pictures.html

Do you have any comments/comparisons?

7 hours ago, Upex said:

Had a look at this from thing, as I've tried several way of trying to play my phone music through car but no joy.

My motor was a 2006, and the from says from 2007 onwards, does it mean it won't work, as not sure what changed between 06 and 07.

Also, assume you can't use factory Bluetooth for calls if using bt to stream music to the grom?

Otherwise looks great and very interest.

From http://gromaudio.co.uk/products/vl1-infotainment-upgrade.html etc. you will see that there are many differences between your 2006 model and this 2008 one (the AUX socket being one of them). I know I'm new here, but you're best served by starting your own thread about your 2006 query, else it gets confusing. 

Hi,

I've just purchased a 2008 GS450h SE.  It's got only 30,000 miles (verified) on the clock and is immaculate.  It has a Gen05 satnav with reversing camera, a Mark Levinson hifi + 6 DVD autochanger, etc.

There are two things I'd really like to add to this car:

(a) A way to either plug in my Samsung Android phone, or a USB dongle, or both, to play music through the car's audio system.

(b) An aftermarket sunroof.

I'm really open to suggestions about the best way to achieve (a).

Re (b), I've got my eyes on an aftermarket Webasto/Hollandia 735 or 740 in-built sunroof.  The installer guarantees it will be waterproof.

Advice and opinions, please.

Also, on my previous generation GS, there were a number of "secret" codes or tweaks (e.g., 4 rapid down pushes on the steering wheel adjustment when already at the lowest position would lower it further).  Are there any tweaks for the 3rd Gen GS450h?

Thanks!