janabrock

The dealer diagnosed the issue with my convertible top. Only problem is the part is $5,200. I can buy a used part from a junk yard for a fraction of the cost. Does anyone know of a mechanic who can replace the luggage hinge in the DFW metroplex? Does anyone have any suggestions?

bb430

iTrader: (1)

I heard some good things regarding JP Impoertz in Garland. No personal experiences, just some here says from a friend of mine that owens a GS430.

bhop

janabrock: Davenport Motors in Plano is a Lexus specialty shop. Very honest ownership group. I have used them for years on non-warranty Lexus service. They also have a Dallas location and I beleive they have one in Southlake now as well. I am familiar only with the Plano team.....I trust them.

76210Guy

JP Imports installed the LuxLinks for several of us here on the forum. Thats the extent of my knowledge of them. I have also been wondering about after warranty service. My extended warranty expires in 2016 and I will have to decide, keep it or ....

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

Janabrock, was that Sewell Lexus of Dallas or another dealer? Sewell always seems so helpful when I contact them. It couldn't hurt to ask them if they would install a salvage part. My guys here in Westmont, have installed used TPMS sensors; albeit a smaller part but I believe it's up to the service manager on installation of walk-in parts. Worst case scenario, Sewell might be able to recommend another legit shop. They always shoot me straight and are very understanding when they know their charges are too damaging to my pockets.

PS. In regards to JP imports, they quoted me $750 and 3 days to install my LuxLink. My local audio tech (very experienced with remote start and data units) did it in 3 hours for $250. I feel that JP Imports greatly overcharges due to their exclusivity and recommendation from this Lexus forum and Luxury Motorworks/LuxLink.

76210Guy

Good to know ShawnOK - I paid much less than that to have mine installed. I haven't been back since, but WOW. Thats a huge jump from what I paid - like $350 more as I recall.

Would your guy do stuff on a contract basis? I am thinking of like a USB jack and/or iPhone input for my iTunes. It would be cool to have a great recommended resource.

PS: Sorry for hijacking the thread... My Bad.

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

76210, you have PM.

janabrock

Thank you for the input. My service advisor at Sewell was very nice. When he quoted me $5200 for the part he basically told me that was crazy and he wouldn't fix it. It is an intermittent problem but I don't want to be stuck out somewhere and can't get the top down. It's ridiculous to charge that much for a car part. And there are two of those in the trunk.

JohnnyCake

In your shoes, I would ask the dealer what specific error code was generated, then post it here. Many times, the dealer will replace the entire mechanism, when a simple repair would suffice. I had a luggage error described in this thread and the repair was $100, not $2,000 for replacement of the entire mechanism.

janabrock

The error code is B2530 and I need a left rear luggage hinge assembly.

JohnnyCake

This thread and this thread deal with that error code. With any luck, its the switch, especially since it is intermittant (suggesting the physical movement effects the problem). The guy in that thread found a small piece of metal messing up the switch intermittently. The other guy, after being told he needed the $5K assembly, took a chance and fixed his problem with a $250 assembly gear off eBay.

The problem is that if the switch tests good the Lexus tech is just going to move on to the next cause in the flow chart, replace ECU, which is expensive. In my situation, the switch tested good and only failed sometimes during movement.

You have never explained the actual problem -- when it doesn't work, what happens? Any movement? Flashing read light? Both up and down? What sounds are you hearing? Clicking? Is it trying to move? Exactly what is the problem in detail?

janabrock

As for the problem itself, the roof goes up and down like it should. The issue is when I close the top. The light on the power switch stays on. If I jiggle the roof tray in the trunk and retry opening and closing the roof, the light will generally go off. The issue might be when I open the top also, it's been a long time since I have tried. I just don't remember. Thank you for all of your help.

Harold57

Janabrock, This sounds like a sensor/switch problem related to the roof tray to me.