Spade12

I'm in the market for a 98-00 LS400, drove one for the first time today that I am pretty dead set on buying my only hangups are the fact that it has the check engine light on saying Check VSC

Theres something in the service records saying something about a safety belt thing but I cant see h ow they would be related.

Its got the nagahagi sound system and a bluetooth adapter with 110k miles and hes asking 8775

Whats a guy to do?

Kansas

"Safety belt thing" ... "nagahagi" ... WTF?

Thanks for the laughs.

The "Check VSC" does not "cause" the CEL to come on. Both are caused by some other problem which can often be diagnosed by plugging a code reader into the OBD-II port. VSC turns itself off whenever a variety of problems arise -- maybe just to get our attention. The problem could be something cheap to fix or very expensive to fix.

I assume you mean that the car has a Nakamichi audio system like mine has. Wonderful sound but parts are no longer available to fix them. When they fail, eBay is your friend.

Do you mean "timing belt" instead of "safety belt"? The timing belt replacment interval on these cars is 90,000 miles or 6 years.

What model year is it? What is the condition of the body and interior? Are there complete service records and has all the service been done on time? How many owners has it had? Does it have standard or air suspension?

Spade12

Oh sorry, its a 1998 - interior is great

exterior has a dent on the hood and a small crack on the headlight but not enough to let moisture in

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

most common check VSC reason: dead/dying battery.

cel=/= VSC off.

Kansas

Absolutely agree ... had that happen several times when a battery was dying. But I never had the CEL come on when a battery was dying - only the Check VSC. The last time I had both a CEL and a Check VSC, the TPS or PPS was failing. But like I said, lots of other things can cause the CEL and Check VSC.

There is a reset procedure for the VSC in the car's owner's manual but I found that the VSC would reset itself within a hour or two after replacing a battery. I don't think the VSC can be reset while the CEL is on.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

If it hasn't had the timing belt service, you are going to wind up dropping some $$ for that one. Let alone what the CEL is about. How did it drive otherwise?

Spade12

Timing belt was done, service records said something about "neutral alarm switch code"

Drove ok, the "check VSC" thing is intermittent

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

when mine came on in my 99, it was code 1349, oil control valve, cleaned it, no more trouble...

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

you still havent confirmed if you actually have a check engine light or not..you realize it's it's own light, and won't show up on the LCD.

Spade12

sorry to not be clear, the CEL was on IN ADDITION to the "check vsc" message on the led cluster

whit3b0y

That is a good price for a 98, with the VSC on try to talk them down implying diagnostic/service needs done. My assumption is that is a low battery/unable to hold a charge. Its more common for check VSC to show up in the winter because we use more wipers, heat, lights. I suggest picking this up. Good price with potential of great price and easy fix.
As far as air ride, check the 4&5number on the vin plate in the windshield, or if yo wanna crawl under and look at the rear shocks. My guess is no it does not, with the sound system mentioned they commonly fit in the same option group. But... The Nakamichi was offered in other option groups witch were more common. Personally if your looking for air ride and want to use in in an aftermarket manner, I would suggest against it. It would be less expencive to buy and install an aftermarket airride.

Spade12

P1780 is the code that its throwing, anyone know about that?

sdls

It's the nagahagi sound system causing the ECU to have fits, it's really fitted with the Nagasaki premium sound system. Nagahagi sounds like a cheap Chinese knock-off brand and is known to cause serious tremors to the electrical circuit.

whit3b0y

PNP Switch Malfunction

Park Neutral Position. clear it. see if it comes back.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Check for Open/Short Circuit or the switch itself is bad.