duc_racer

Hey folks, could you lend a ear here?
I have a 2005 ES330 with almost 46K miles. The Check Engine, TRAC Off and VSC lights came on about 4 weeks ago. Had the codes read at AutoZone and they said loose or faulty fuel filler cap. I retightened the cap and after a couple days the lights went off.
Last week tha same thing happened. So, I replaced the cap with a new one right away. But, as of yet, the lights are still on.
Maybe it needs a bit more time to reset as the car is not driven daily. But, if the cap is not the problem, do any of you have an similar experiance?

Thank you all for any suggestions.

LeX2K

What code(s) came up? If you plan on repairing this yourself then buy a code reader, even the cheapest ones will do the job.

ES330MD05

Yeah, same problem with my 2005 ES. It now has 100,000+ miles. Those lights first came on about 3 years ago. Lexus dealer said there is probably some leak in exaust system somewhere which is causing those lights to come on. He reset the code and asked me to come back if the lights came back for some kind of test to find out more details. Few days later, lights came back on. I did not go back to dealership. Lights went out after few week by themselves. It came back and went off by itself few times since then. But this time they are here to stay I guess.They are on for about 4 months. Got them reset by a mechanic once but came back in few days. I love this car but I drove my 1998 Corolla for about 7 years 96k miles, not a single problem, not even a minor one. This one has had many (nothing major though).

DanES300

Do you by any top off your tank when you fill up? By that i mean, do you put more in after it has already clicked off?

ES330MD05

nope, never.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

We can't help you if you don't tell us the OBD2 codes. There is really nothing to go by.

ES330MD05

Those TRAC Off and VSC lights that were on for last few months, went away on their own. May be the recent hot weather on east coast did the trick.

vicsis250

You need to invest in a OBD2 code reader amazon has then for as cheap as 30 bucks get one and then tell us the codes we can all help then.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

My CEL goes on and off all the time. It doesn't mean that the problem is solved.

GrayES300

Have the car scanned at AutoZone. It's free. Post the results for more help.

ES330MD05

Did some search for OBD2 code reader on amazon. There are many, starting from 10 bucks to few hundred. What should I look for in a code reader? I have 2005 ES330 and 2008 Highlander base model.

gjgies

After a week my lights turned off mysteriously by themselves. Just as mysteriously as they turned on

Excalibur

The ES330 has a notoriously bad fuel cap problem. Notice that if you tighten the cap two clicks it will come off with one finger. They apparently have a different cap not just a new cap. It will cause the Check Eng light to come on but apparently may also affect the VSC because it affects engine performance. When the VSC light comes on it will also shut down Trac Control and turn on the light. Replace the fuel cap. If you have a OBD II Scanner (which you can buy cheap on eBay) Clear the codes which will shut off the Check Eng light and all should be fine.

mama1971

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This is a great help, I will just do that and see the result.

Alexusk

Wow, that simple. Will get this done on Tuesday, thought it was going to cost me a lot.