Mine is an ES-300 98 model with 60K miles. I had the same problem with the error code 0440 which requires a change of charcoal cannister and EPV valve. Lexus dealership gave an estimate of 850 $ for both.
I called the customer service no and showed them the case which Toyota/Lexus lost against US EPA on 03/07/2003. The case requires Toyota to extend the Emission warranty from 2/24k to 14yrs/150k on 1996-1998 vehicles.

Customer Service called the dealership and the dealership had to do it for free....

 

Sounds like the research paid off, and an excellent way to save some money...

 

I just had the same problem! I had the check engine light and "trac off" light on.

Dealer is the only one to fix? Naa. Try Removing the positive battery ground for 10 mins and start her up.

Guaranteed it'll be gone. BTW do make sure your gas cap is there, and on and your fluids and filters are good at this point (hey its a good time).


Dealer fix:Just un-hook the battery for 10 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Can you validate this? Where is this claim posted?
I will take my Lexus in to have it repaired since it's free and I get a nice loaner!!!

 

That will only clear out the warning errors on the instrument gauge cluster. You still have the problem with the faulty charcoal canister, and without a functional CC, it will do major harm to your emissions system, and possibly your fuel tank and lines. Bring the car to the dealership ASAP.

 

Hmm thanks for the heads up. I will do and I will provide a scan of the service requrements from IRA Lexus (I'm scared to even think about it)

 

guys,
couldn't reply earlier as i was waiting for the dealer to replace the charcoal cannister and the valve as promised. The intial estimate was 827 $.

When I showed them the TSB's and the link http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/headline_030703.htm they said they have no information about it.

I callled the 1-800-25-LEXUS and they spoke to the dealer and then the dealer said he will do as a courtsey.. So all I spent was the 90$ for initial diagnostics and thats it... Did it in 45 min instead of 3 hrs of labor he quoted before...

The dealer had promised to do the repairs 2 weeks back, but due to backorder on parts, he did last week...

 

I typed in the link but it is not found. I then did some research and found a link that works:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resour...aa/toyota.html
I have a 1999 ES300 with about 47k miles on it. Just the other day the car wouldn't start after sitting in the garage for about a month. The car started after I jump-started it, so I put in an aftermarket battery. I did not notice any problem with it until after about 20 miles of driving. The Check Engine and the Trac Off lights came on simultaneously. The car ran fine otherwise. I think I'll try to tighten the gas cap first to see if that works. I really hate to bring it to the Lexus dealer since the closest one is 75 miles away. I am also unsure if it is covered under the extended warranty (API Premier Plus) that I bought. It seems that this warranty only covers major items. In any case, I don't think my car is covered under that settlement between Toyota and EPA, since mine is a '99. I'll write an update some time later.

 

don't assume that the combo of these two lights means the same for you.

The CEL and TRAC OFF lights together indicate the car is in safety or limp mode.
Go to Autozone and have them read the trouble code(s) for free. Post the codes up here and we can better help you to the reason for your CEL/TRAC off lights.

There hundreds of code combintations that will cause these lights.

steviej

 

I tried tightening the gas cap, and.....
the lights are still on. What a surprise.....
I'll bring the car over to Autozone this afternoon to have the codes read.
I was thinking about just bringing it to the dealer and try to talk them into paying for most of the repair, but I am not a really good talker, so I don't know what the likely hood it is that they'll actually pay for it.
Other than this problem, this car has been a dream to drive.

 

so I went to the Autozone to have the codes read. It came back as follows:

1 of 4 codes: P1133
2 of 4 codes: P1153
3 of 4 codes: P1133
4 of 4 codes: P1153

I am just wondering if putting in a new battery (non-OEM) has something to do with the lights coming on.

 

P1133 is air/fuel sensor circuit response malfunction (Bank 1 sensor 1). This is the air fuel sensor mounted in the exhaust manifold next to the firewall.

P1153 is air/fuel sensor circuit response malfunction (Bank 2 sensor 1). This is the air fuel sensor mounted in the exhaust manifold next to the radiator.

the service manual states trouble areas to be:
1. open or short in A/F sensor
2. A/F sensor
3. Air Induction system
4. Fuel pressure
5. Injectors
6. ECM

Here is what you might consider:

1. you could find a shop that provides a "motorvac" service as this top end cleaning procedure has had luck and clearing up a/f sensor problems as well as O2 sensor problems. Plus it is a good maint. procedure about every 50k miles. Do a google search to see who offers such service in your area. This work if the problem is due to dirty sensors or dirty fuel injectors or a dirty throttle body. *items 3,4 and 5 above*

2. you can replace each a/f sensor at the turne of about $200 each and the dealer will get you for about 2 hours labor. *itme 1 and 2 above*

3. you can buy the a/f sensors on line sparkplugs.com and replace them yourself if you are mechanically inclined. You will only need a special socket (obtainable at Autozone). The rear one may be a PITA to get at. *itme 1 and 2 above*

4. an idependent mechanic could replace both for less money than the dealer, especially if you provide the sensors.


did autozone clear the codes after they read them? and if they did, did they come back?

steviej

 

The friendly guy at Autozone did clear the codes for me, and the codes did not come back after about 5 minutes of local driving. I'll drive it a little more to get the car warmed up to see if the codes come back. I also haven't checked all the vacuum lines yet. I'll definitely make sure all the vacuum lines are good first.
Thanks for the advice. That was very helpful.