Infin1ty

Just bought my Lexus yesterday and it seems to be having a couple of issues. It is a 1999 ES300 with 115700 miles. When I started the car this morning I noticed that it seemed to be shaking a little more then it had been last night and the couple of times that I had test drove it before.

You can really notice it when you come to a stop, seems to be getting a bit to low and then it shoots back up, and it is causing the engine to shake pretty badly. When I get home from work, I'll be checking all my fluids, just in case someone is low, though I do not believe it would cause something like this.

Another thing that I noticed, the check engine light has been on since I started test driving it, not really something that I pay attention to anymore because my last couple of cars, the check engine light came on and never turned off and there were no issues. Anyways, once I got to work today and parked, I noticed that the Check Engine light started blinking for about 5-10 seconds and then going solid again, and about a minute or so later it would do it again.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated guys.

JSM1284

If the check engine light is on, there is a problem. If it is flashing, DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR!. When it is flashing, that means that there is an issue that can damage the catalytic converter, Which is expensive.

Take the car back to the dealer you bought it from and make them fix it, assuming you bought from a dealer.

Infin1ty

wonderful... Do you think it could go until Firday? I am buying the warranty for the vehicle on Friday, so I could take it in after that point.

JSM1284

It can go till friday as long as you dont drive it.

Infin1ty

Well not driving it really isn't an option.

JSM1284

Tow it back and have them give you a rental. I really dont see why you bought a car with the check engine light on, especially from a dealer.....

Infin1ty

It was from a small used car lot, and I bought it because I needed a car, I'm 19 and have very limited credit history, thus making it nearly impossible to get a loan on a car, so how about we just get past the fact that I bought a car with the check engine light on.

JSM1284

I understand your situation, and it may be difficult to try and get the car lot to help you out. But if you continue to drive the car with the light flashing, your going to cause some serious problems that will cost you close to the thousands to repair.

Infin1ty

The thing that really bugs me , is that yesterday it was driving perfectly, absolutely no problems, and then this morning it just start misfiring.

Infin1ty

Going to take it up to the Advance Auto after work to see what code it is throwing that way I can at least see which cylinder it is misfiring in. I am hoping that it just needs the spark plugs replaced.

JSM1284

Im sure on code it will have is probably a P0420....

Infin1ty

Kinda of a dumb question... but this could not all be caused from me filling up with regular unleaded fuel instead of premium, could it?

JSM1284

No. That would not cause it.

Infin1ty

Good, sorry I am a little car dumb, basically up to this point the extent of my knowledge has been changing oil, and breaks.

Anyways, got some really good news. Called the dealership that I bought the car from when I got home from work, and because I just bought the car last night (and the fact that he is a great guy) He is going to pay for the repairs. When we took it up to the garage, after pulling the codes, found out that it was misfiring on cylinders 1, 3, and 5. Hopefully it will be fixed by tomorrow!