Robert 635

Hello, Thanks Herbie, much appreciated. Kind regards Robert

Hello Steve & Blue marlin, Thanks for your comments. I have read the links, thank you. The petrol cap is the correct part, new from Lexus direct and the lights go off if you release the pressure by unscrewing the cap and re-staring the engine. I have seen the comment regarding a USB connector, can you provide a link where I can to buy this or get further information please? Thanks in advance, Robert

Hello, Thanks for all of your replies. I am not sure whether I deserve to pillaried, though.....? I did in fact check both the forums and eBay before going ahead with the service mentioned, in my post. As a buyer of services, I suppose that you pays your money and takes your choice? Now can someone advise me on the intermittent EML & VSC problem please??? Thanks in advance Robert

Hello, I thought that some of you may be interested in my tale of replacement keys/fobs. I purchased my 2006 RX350 in January 2023 as I needed a large SUV to carry my bicycle around in, without having to Pfaff around with a rack. My budget was £5,500 so an older car was the only sensible option. I am a retiree so fuel consumption is not all that much of an issue. I struck lucky(?!) and purchased a full Lexus history 2 owner car with 69K and uniquely no rust and in amazing condition! Since purchase I have been smoking it around and have come across two common issues affecting these. The first is the intermittent engine management light VSC warning light, which although I have fitted a brand new Lexus petrol cap - £43.00 plus shipping is still irritating. The second is regarding the key fobs. Both mine look like they had been in a serious fire, but I now know these are the results of past attempts to solve the broken plastic fob syndrome. The one I was using broke for a 2nd time and the sensors in the buttons were only working when there was an ‘R’ in the month. I checked the forums and saw that this breakage was the result of a design fault, which Toyota never corrected before the facelift post 2007/8. I decide that I needed at least on reliable key fob. I checked Lexus parts direct and the fob plus fitting and blank key was £328.00 inc. vat and postage! I don’t even want to think how much a dealer would charge to program and cut the blank key? I searched for an auto locksmith here in the North west and came across Aston’s Auto locksmiths in Stockport, Greater Manchester. www.autolocksmithstockport.co.uk I sent them images of the key and they quoted £110.00 + vat for a replacement O.E. style fob, new key cut to factory specs. The second key would cost £55.00 plus vat. The transaction could be completed by post. Chris Aston explained that the new fob is a modified item with a different support for the actual key avoiding the problems of the original fobs. They would take out all of the electronics in my original fob, supply a new battery and all of this would avoid the re-Programming issues. The key was cut to code. The whole transaction took around 10 days and I paid £132.00 including vat and return postage. The new key fob is a surprise as the rear tailgate now closes on the fob, which it never did before? The key is a little stiff in the ignition, but Chris Aston assures me that this will wear in. I have included the before and after images for your consideration. I will let you draw your own conclusions on the value of the service by Aston’s, but I am pleased and probably dodged a bullett.