LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

'93 LS, check engine, trac light on...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-18-07, 07:40 AM
  #1  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default '93 LS, check engine, trac light on...

I thought I had an o2 sensor problem but then the car wouldnt stay on, and I had thick black smoke out of both exhaust. My check engine light came on while it was running, and the trac(off) light came on as well.

Any intelligent input would be highly appreciated. This is a 93 LS400
Old 10-18-07, 07:45 AM
  #2  
DaveGS4
Forum Administrator

iTrader: (2)
 
DaveGS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 31,432
Received 2,127 Likes on 1,297 Posts
Default

Are the lights still on? & still smoking? Or was it a one time occurance?

Welcome to Club Lexus!
Old 10-18-07, 07:47 AM
  #3  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yes the lights are still on, but now it will not stay running. The smoke seems to indicate a rich mixture. What do you think?
Old 10-18-07, 07:55 AM
  #4  
DaveGS4
Forum Administrator

iTrader: (2)
 
DaveGS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 31,432
Received 2,127 Likes on 1,297 Posts
Default

If it won't run that certainly makes things more difficult... I was going to suggest taking it to an Advance or Autozone to get the code read.

I searched for similar threads using keyword 'check engine trac light'

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ine+trac+light

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ine+trac+light

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ine+trac+light

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ine+trac+light

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ine+trac+light

Does sounds like 02 sensor or less likely TPS (throttle position sensor).



I also found this information and posted it on a prior thread.... may be useful. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly what color is the smoke? Here's a good diagnostic FAQ I found with a quick google search...

From http://www.salemboysauto.com/faqs/faq-38.htm:

Black, blue, white or grey smoke from the tailpipe!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Black smoke is raw gasoline burning. A rich condition can be the cause by a heavy or mis adjusted float, a choke stuck shut, a bad oxygen sensor, a bad map sensor, a bad fuel pressure regulator, a plugged up air filter or a bad injector. Typically, if you only get black smoke first thing in the morning, it has to do with the choke or the fuel enrichment portion of your fuel injection system. If you get black smoke all the time, get it fixed NOW. If you don’t, you run the risk of wiping out the catalytic convertor and doubling your repair bill.

Blue smoke is oil burning. The tailpipe will either smoke all the time or just once, first thing in the morning. If you get blue smoke all the time, that is a sign of impeding doom. That is the first sign of the beginning of the end. Broken rings, bad pistons, damaged cylinder walls, all high dollar items.

On the other hand, if all you get is a puff or two first thing in the morning and never again throughout the day, then your problem is probably bad value guides or value guide seals. It will cost between $350-800 to replace the seals, $750-1,500 to replace the guides and seals. I always tell my customers, wait until you begin to see other symptoms of this oil usage. Wait until you start fouling plugs, wait until the oil consumption is greater than one quart every 1,000 miles. And never assume that seals alone will totally fix this problem, if the engine has 100k miles plus.

Grey smoke can really be black or blue. You can usually tell which is it by the smell or by matching other symptoms you have to the color of the smoke is easier. Others will say blue is blue and all other is really grey to black and I would agree.

White smoke is either the transmission shift modulator is bad and allowing the engine to suck and burn transmission fluid (repair costs under $100) or it’s really, really bad. White smoke could also be coolant or antifreeze that is either leaking, or being forced into the combustion chambers and being burned. The exhaust will look wet and have a sweet smell to it. A bad head gasket (75% of the time), a broken head (15% of the time) or a broken cylinder wall (10% of the time) will be the reason your engine is burning coolant or antifreeze. The repairs start at $400 and go to $4,000.

Last edited by DaveGS4; 10-18-07 at 01:24 PM. Reason: tps, not tpms
Old 10-18-07, 07:58 AM
  #5  
LiCelsior
Retired

iTrader: (32)
 
LiCelsior's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 12,362
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

damn dave is fast, well u can pull up the codes... http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/intro/codereading.html
Old 10-18-07, 08:06 AM
  #6  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

will the o2 sensors cause the car to not run?
Old 10-18-07, 08:54 AM
  #7  
19psi
Lexus Champion
 
19psi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lou-Evil KY
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

02 SENSORS won't keep it from running. if they fail the ecu simply uses a base map for it's fuel curve.
try unplugging teh maf sensor and see if it runs better.
Old 10-22-07, 02:00 PM
  #8  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

maf sensor? sorry.
Old 10-22-07, 03:17 PM
  #9  
LiCelsior
Retired

iTrader: (32)
 
LiCelsior's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 12,362
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/ignition/sparkplugs.html, step 7.
Old 10-22-07, 04:02 PM
  #10  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

any quick links for maf
sensors?
Old 10-22-07, 04:10 PM
  #11  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

will maf sensor cause car not to crank? it spins over, but it just won't run. I dont think its the o2's any more.
any ideas?
Old 10-22-07, 04:11 PM
  #12  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

also, (sorry for all the rookie questions) where in the tutorials can I find something about maf sensors?
Old 10-22-07, 04:37 PM
  #13  
LiCelsior
Retired

iTrader: (32)
 
LiCelsior's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 12,362
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

did u try the link i gave u? unplug the MAF and see if it runs.
Old 10-22-07, 04:50 PM
  #14  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

yeah, thanks celsior. its in the shop now but i still need to know how to do it
Old 10-22-07, 04:51 PM
  #15  
hkykat
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
hkykat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'll post again when I hear the diagnosis


Quick Reply: '93 LS, check engine, trac light on...



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:03 PM.