Help - GS430 Check Engine Light
11-12-08, 11:46 AM
#1
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Help - GS430 Check Engine Light
I have a 2001 GS430. I bought it new. My check engine light came on a couple of months ago. It stayed lit, but then turned off. This repeated a couple of times. Now, it seems to be on all the time.
I took the car to the local shop and they told me the grim story that both catalytic converters and the oxygen sensor need to be replaced. The total cost is about $2,500 for OEM converters and the sensor ($700 if they can fit aftermarket cats). The shop owner told me that this does not affect how the car runs, so I should not be in a hurry to do the work. He also said that its very rare for both cats to fail. I will not be able to pass the emission test with this problem, so will need to either do the work or sell the car in the next year or so.
I called the dealer to see if there is any warranty coverage on these parts and it turned out that I don't have it anymore. The car has more than 80K miles on it (83K
). The dealer also told me that its rare to see both cats fail. But, he wanted me to come in and have them interpret the ODB reading for $150, which I think is kind of high for the 15 minutes that they will spend on the car.
I went to Autozone, and they read the codes for me for free (but no interpretation). Here's what the ODB said:
P0156 - HO2S 22 circuit condition (Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0420 - Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
P0330 - Catalyst efficiency low-bank 2
So, I am turning to the on-line community for help with this.
What should my course of action be?
Without a working O2 sensor, how can they tell me that I need new cats? Do I replace the O2 sensor first and then wait and see? Where can I buy an OEM O2 sensor on-line that is not too expensive? Is changing a sensor a hard job (for a person who is somewhat mechanically inclined)?
Are aftermarket cats a good idea? Has anybody done this with GS430?
Also, if the sensor is broke, why did the light go on and off for some time? Is that normal or do Oxygen sensors fail once and for all?
If it is the cats, do I replace them or is there some other reason for them not working well (i.e., vacuum leaks, etc.).
I really really appreciate any help I can get on this.
Thank you very much!
I took the car to the local shop and they told me the grim story that both catalytic converters and the oxygen sensor need to be replaced. The total cost is about $2,500 for OEM converters and the sensor ($700 if they can fit aftermarket cats). The shop owner told me that this does not affect how the car runs, so I should not be in a hurry to do the work. He also said that its very rare for both cats to fail. I will not be able to pass the emission test with this problem, so will need to either do the work or sell the car in the next year or so.
I called the dealer to see if there is any warranty coverage on these parts and it turned out that I don't have it anymore. The car has more than 80K miles on it (83K
). The dealer also told me that its rare to see both cats fail. But, he wanted me to come in and have them interpret the ODB reading for $150, which I think is kind of high for the 15 minutes that they will spend on the car.I went to Autozone, and they read the codes for me for free (but no interpretation). Here's what the ODB said:
P0156 - HO2S 22 circuit condition (Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0420 - Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
P0330 - Catalyst efficiency low-bank 2
So, I am turning to the on-line community for help with this.
What should my course of action be?
Without a working O2 sensor, how can they tell me that I need new cats? Do I replace the O2 sensor first and then wait and see? Where can I buy an OEM O2 sensor on-line that is not too expensive? Is changing a sensor a hard job (for a person who is somewhat mechanically inclined)?
Are aftermarket cats a good idea? Has anybody done this with GS430?
Also, if the sensor is broke, why did the light go on and off for some time? Is that normal or do Oxygen sensors fail once and for all?
If it is the cats, do I replace them or is there some other reason for them not working well (i.e., vacuum leaks, etc.).
I really really appreciate any help I can get on this.
Thank you very much!
11-12-08, 11:57 AM
#2
I went to Autozone, and they read the codes for me for free (but no interpretation). Here's what the ODB said:
P0156 - HO2S 22 circuit condition (Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0420 - Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
P0330 - Catalyst efficiency low-bank 2
So, I am turning to the on-line community for help with this.
What should my course of action be?
Without a working O2 sensor, how can they tell me that I need new cats? Do I replace the O2 sensor first and then wait and see? Where can I buy an OEM O2 sensor on-line that is not too expensive? Is changing a sensor a hard job (for a person who is somewhat mechanically inclined)?
Also, if the sensor is broke, why did the light go on and off for some time? Is that normal or do Oxygen sensors fail once and for all?
I really really appreciate any help I can get on this.
Thank you very much!
P0156 - HO2S 22 circuit condition (Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0420 - Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1
P0330 - Catalyst efficiency low-bank 2
So, I am turning to the on-line community for help with this.
What should my course of action be?
Without a working O2 sensor, how can they tell me that I need new cats? Do I replace the O2 sensor first and then wait and see? Where can I buy an OEM O2 sensor on-line that is not too expensive? Is changing a sensor a hard job (for a person who is somewhat mechanically inclined)?
Also, if the sensor is broke, why did the light go on and off for some time? Is that normal or do Oxygen sensors fail once and for all?
I really really appreciate any help I can get on this.
Thank you very much!
11-12-08, 06:55 PM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2008
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The local mechanic advised against getting an after-market sensor (said it may not work well with the Lexus computer). Any suggestions on where I can get an OEM sensor on the net for reasonable price? The dealer quoted $225 for the sensor.
11-12-08, 07:22 PM
#4
Carson Toyota or Sewell Lexus are approved CL vendors. OEM plugs will be expensive regardless of where you're buying it from. However I think Carson/Sewell has it for under $150.
www.l-tunedparts.com (under OEM parts)
www.sewellpartsonline.com
And definitely get OEM. I've used aftermarket a few times to try to save money thinking what are the chances of them failing. After 2 years, they've failed so I ended up spending more money when I could have went with OEM in the first place.
Get the sensor replaced first. When o2 sensors fail, they'll register to the car as running lean. In return, the engine runs rich as hell. More fuel wasted and possibly more than wat the cats can handle. No one knows for sure whats wrong until you get the sensor fixed.
www.l-tunedparts.com (under OEM parts)
www.sewellpartsonline.com
And definitely get OEM. I've used aftermarket a few times to try to save money thinking what are the chances of them failing. After 2 years, they've failed so I ended up spending more money when I could have went with OEM in the first place.
Get the sensor replaced first. When o2 sensors fail, they'll register to the car as running lean. In return, the engine runs rich as hell. More fuel wasted and possibly more than wat the cats can handle. No one knows for sure whats wrong until you get the sensor fixed.
12-23-13, 05:33 PM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Its funny this thread is almost 6 years old. I'm going thru this same issue right now. I've managed to buy every part OEM so far. Cats+gaskets. But now I need all 4 o2 sensors. Don't know weather to get OEM or aftermarket...
12-28-13, 08:54 PM
#6
Driver School Candidate
12-29-13, 09:46 AM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Trending Topics
01-03-14, 05:21 PM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Finally ordered 2 downstream sensors today. Next Friday I'll order the 2 upstream sensors and I'll be complete for my complete exhaust tune up =-)!!! I'll post pics asap soon as I receive em! I paid $125.70 for both shipped! Off eBay. Denso OEM. I hope everything goes smooth upon installation.
01-06-14, 08:44 AM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Finally got the o2 sensors this morning. Ordered Friday morning... came from Carson CALI.. great shipping.. here's a pic. Ima order the 2 upstream this Friday coming.
01-13-14, 08:56 PM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
Finally got my last 2 sensors this morning. Super fast shipping again as the last 2. Ordered on a Friday morning and received it Monday morning the following week. I'm in PA and they were shipped out from CALI... fast shipping :-)...
Last edited by aneidiaz; 01-14-14 at 09:40 AM.
01-15-14, 03:19 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Left the car at the shop today with all the things I bought for it. I have faith in my mechanic... I'm worried for some reason but I'll maintain optimistic. I hope nothing comes up unexpected. I bought everything I thought could be replaced for the exhaust system. I want my GS430 to last me for a long time so I went all out. I'll continue alla round the car once I get this CEL issue resolved... I'm positive everything will go fine tho. Here's everything I took in to get fixed:
Cats + All Gaskets For Exhaust From Front To Back + All Nuts And Bolts + All 4 Denso o2 Sensors
Cats + All Gaskets For Exhaust From Front To Back + All Nuts And Bolts + All 4 Denso o2 Sensors
01-18-14, 11:19 AM
#13
Left the car at the shop today with all the things I bought for it. I have faith in my mechanic... I'm worried for some reason but I'll maintain optimistic. I hope nothing comes up unexpected. I bought everything I thought could be replaced for the exhaust system. I want my GS430 to last me for a long time so I went all out. I'll continue alla round the car once I get this CEL issue resolved... I'm positive everything will go fine tho. Here's everything I took in to get fixed:
Cats + All Gaskets For Exhaust From Front To Back + All Nuts And Bolts + All 4 Denso o2 Sensors
Cats + All Gaskets For Exhaust From Front To Back + All Nuts And Bolts + All 4 Denso o2 Sensors
Last edited by porn-adkt; 01-18-14 at 11:26 AM.
01-18-14, 01:34 PM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
After installation of new catalysts & gaskets the car FEELS MUCH BETTER. More responsive, no ugly air leak noises, thank God! Nothing like the satisfaction of OEM parts guys! I'd advise www.sewellparts.com to EVERYONE if you cannot the OEM part your looking for on eBay. Anybody have questions about anything I did, please ask! And as far as the heat insulator around the cats, if they're transferable from old to new ones, I think my mechanic did it. If it could be done I'm sure he did. I'll take pics of the finishing image from the bottom of the car later on break. I'm at work right now.
