Vcs and trac symbol, hood struts
 

Had a previous post on this subject and tried to add to it but it appears to be inactive. Just wanted to share the result of my check engine warning on my 2008 350es dealing with vcs and trac. Finally faced the inevitable and took it to my Lexus dealer. Turns out it was the gas cap after all. Just purchasing a new cap will not solve the problem. The replacement cap has to be from Lexus and it has to be programmed into the system.

The second problem I discussed was the gas struts for the hood. Apparently the gas leaked out and when this happens, they have to be replaced. I briefly looked into a less expensive source than Lexus to buy them but found nothing that seemed quick and/or reliable. Parts were about $315 and labor $85.

You probably never needed to buy a gas cap originally anyways. If you don't screw on the cap till it clicks you'll get those lights. Then they need to be reset to get rid of them.

If you're stuck buying OEM parts stick with sewellparts.com they give you a discount for being a CL member. You should know them as they're in texas.I just looked up the struts and theyre $79.82 a piece with the discount and they're 119.70 without. How the hell did you get charged 315?

Unfortunately, this subforum is not as popular as it once was. I will still actively answer questions but will avoid threads which I do not have the knowledge to do so.

Hood Struts
 

I tried tightening the cap to the second click and everything else I could think of including buying and aftermarket one. No help.

I got charged $315 because I didn't know where else to buy a quality set other than the local dealer to my Houston neighborhood and I didn't know how to remove and reinstall new ones. I'm open to lessons if it happens again.

I recently had the oil changed in my 2008 es 350 by an Asian garage. The mechanic told me that I could buy aftermarket hood struts of the same quality online at a substantial discount. I believe he said that some were made by Nippondenso that they were of comparable quality for a lot less money. He said to check E bay. Does anyone had experience with buying hood struts this way? If so, were you happy with the results.

Also sometimes I am typing something on this site and an entire paragraph turns blue, then immediately disappears. What's up with that?

I have an 08 and the gas cap only clicks once... no more. Interesting.

Also - if you have a laptop with a touchpad, it might be thinking you're dragging across selecting text. Next letter you type will wipe out the selected text.

When you tighten the fuel fill cap it is supposed to click once and then "spring back" a small amount.