bernynhel

So this shop finally got it right - so I thought - after a week, two starters and a blown gasket and full timing belt replacement kit on my 75K mi LS400 it starts right up and runs as great as ever for about a month and then at a stoplight after only driving on city streets for about 10 minutes first thing in the AM the check engine light comes on and the car sputters and barely runs to where I park it 100 yards further on. The shop that did the only work this car has ever know other than oil/tire changes comes and tows it in. What could it be and how will the shop try to claim its not their fault and how can I counter that it was it their fault and why? Thanks!

Bill

ocr

iTrader: (2)

you gotta read the codes thrown and then we might be able to help

bernynhel

You mean have the shop give me the codes they read...OK...thanks!

bernynhel

The service manager who's working on it says there are no codes because the car isnt displaying any codes - neither with their desktop or handheld systems - I asked about replacing the computer since it seems that the malfunction of the computer would be responsible for the engine light and rough running as well as no codes - the car starts and idles fine but runs rough in drive. They've had the car all week and aren't even quoting a time frame for when they'll have the problem diagnosed let alone repaired - Id take it somewhere else but this shop just did the starter and timing belt. Any ideas? Thanks. -Bill

KA8

iTrader: (1)

I assume this isn't lexus dealer. They probably messed up your timing. My father cheaped out on his 03 LS430 and did tb/wp change using oem parts but took it to one of those no name shops. He got it back with good idling engine but absolutely no power and detonation when trying to accelerate. I threatened them to take them to court so he got the labor charge back. Went to a lexus dealer and got it fixed for $800. I know 93's are non-vvti engines so must be bad timing. Dealer said vvti and timing were out of whack. Either you do it yourself or take it to someone who knows these cars. Good luck

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

if the car was running fine before for that long, it's not your timing. you be on to something with the ECU, and the shop may not have the capability to see or do this! this is totally age related, and nothing to do with mileage.

get comfortable, and read on:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...capacitor.html

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

could have easily skipped a tooth on a 1st gen and not cause any other issues. Specifically if the tensioner isn't properly tightened.

bernynhel

Right - not a Lexus dealer - why I refer to it only as "shop". As I said - the car ran like a champ for over a month after the shop did the tb so they couldnt have messed up the timing - it went from champ to tramp at a red light. I dont know what "wti" or WT-I are. Thanks.

bernynhel

Can you explain this a little - skipped a tooth? And could the skipped tooth combined with improper tensioner tightening be responsible for the simultaneous failure of the ECU as well as a mechanical source of the engine running badly more than 30 days after the work was done? The car starts right up and idles perfectly but will not generate any diagnostic codes or run well in gear.
The car ran super until while stopped at a red light the engine light came on and when the light turned green the car ran like crap - limping along - but starts and idles fine.


Thanks!

ocr

iTrader: (2)

its not WT-I its ( V V T - I) Veraible Valve Timing - ? kinda like Honda has VTEC. its the same idea but with Toyota instead of Honda.

Aeok18109

check your ECU capacitors.

bernynhel

OK so my 93 is not a VVT-I engine - my questions remains that if the timing belt change were mishandled - skipped a tooth and/or wrong torque applied to the the tensioner - would that cause the engine light to come on, ECU failure and the car to run rough while starting and idling fine, simultaneously while stopped at a red light after 35 days since the work was done and everything working fine during those 35 days? Or is the failure of the ECU after 21 (OD just turned 75k and Im the original owner) years and as many summers of Cal desert heat the more likely suspect for all of the above?

Thanks.

bernynhel

Thanks!
Ill tell the shop.

Gene01

I will bet a doughnut that they do not know how to check capacitors (or even do the ripple test) unless they have someone who reads this forum.
And I do like doughnuts!

bernynhel

Really? 805 posts? The thread is so long the first page or two along with the first 10 posts are missing. Cant I just tell the shop to look for leaky capacitors on the ECU? Another post recommended the same - thanks!