2006 IS350 Intermittent Steering Issue
07-28-20, 11:58 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
2006 IS350 Intermittent Steering Issue
I recently bought a 2006 IS350 with about 115K miles on it (an American model imported to Canada in 2008). Had a mechanic inspect it and we went over the service records, which mentioned an intermittent steering issue. No codes were found as related to it.
I drove it home and had the apparently classic "P/S" light come on and the power steering switched off. I came home, dismayed, and then when I turned it back on the issue went away and has been gone since (had to go on a longer trip immediately after, will take it to a mechanic this week). Prior to my purchase the car hadn't been driven for a couple months.
The car was a good price (imo) at $7400 Canadian (5500USD) and I'm otherwise very happy with it.
I've read pretty much every thread I could find on here on this issue. Seems very common (and yet somehow I missed it when I was doing my research pre-purchase).
It seems like there are several possible sources for the problem. The alternator, the wiring harness, and the ECU, especially the connections to it.
Have you had this problem? and if so, what was the solution?
I drove it home and had the apparently classic "P/S" light come on and the power steering switched off. I came home, dismayed, and then when I turned it back on the issue went away and has been gone since (had to go on a longer trip immediately after, will take it to a mechanic this week). Prior to my purchase the car hadn't been driven for a couple months.
The car was a good price (imo) at $7400 Canadian (5500USD) and I'm otherwise very happy with it.
I've read pretty much every thread I could find on here on this issue. Seems very common (and yet somehow I missed it when I was doing my research pre-purchase).
It seems like there are several possible sources for the problem. The alternator, the wiring harness, and the ECU, especially the connections to it.
Have you had this problem? and if so, what was the solution?
07-28-20, 12:10 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
I would start with battery, and move to alternator which are the usual suspects and eliminate those first
The following 2 users liked this post by AMIRZA786:
ncatona (08-02-20),
Rattlebone (07-28-20)
The following users liked this post:
ncatona (08-02-20)
09-17-20, 02:24 PM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Some updates:
The previous owner had the ECU replaced back in April, before selling it.
Additionally, the car had not had any of its recalls done prior, including the steering rack replacement. So Downtown Lexus fixed that (and replaced the killer airbags, amongst other things).
Still the P/S problem persisted. I finally took it to Mecano Autoworks, and he calibrated the torque sensors.
He also said the electrical systems were reading normally.
This may have fixed it, as from what I've read those four factors are typically the cause.
Will update, but I think the only potential cause left (if it returns) would be a wiring issue (I believe there was a user here who installed a small piece of copper wire to help secure it).
Hopefully this is helpful for other people who experience this issue.
The previous owner had the ECU replaced back in April, before selling it.
Additionally, the car had not had any of its recalls done prior, including the steering rack replacement. So Downtown Lexus fixed that (and replaced the killer airbags, amongst other things).
Still the P/S problem persisted. I finally took it to Mecano Autoworks, and he calibrated the torque sensors.
He also said the electrical systems were reading normally.
This may have fixed it, as from what I've read those four factors are typically the cause.
Will update, but I think the only potential cause left (if it returns) would be a wiring issue (I believe there was a user here who installed a small piece of copper wire to help secure it).
Hopefully this is helpful for other people who experience this issue.
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