Check Engine light-no help from Autozone
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Moderator - Electronics Forum
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Illinois
Check Engine light-no help from Autozone
Had my GS4 act up on me yesterday. Kinda rainy and the check light comes on as well as the VSC and one other light. Intermittent throttle response. This happened before a few months ago, but was ok when I cleared the computer. I was nearby an autozone and asked for their OBDII reader ... they said it wasn't available when raining. I asked "why" and they replied "well...the guys don't want to get their knees wet. Come back on Monday when it's dry." What a PR**K.
Any ideas? Had the throttle go completely dead on me...restarted the car a couple of times then it worked.
Percy
Any ideas? Had the throttle go completely dead on me...restarted the car a couple of times then it worked.
Percy
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Joined: May 2001
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From: northern va
my car just went through the same thing.. it would stall like 5 times in a row and not run.. after letting it sit for a while it fixed itself (even the CEL and VSC light would shut off). i eventually brought it to the lexus dealership with the engine light on (sometimes it would go away so i know that wouldnt help to bring it to lexus until it stayed on) and they said my MAF sensor was bad and they r ordering a new one.. this JUST happend like last week so its still on the shop.. hopefully that fixes it.. oh and better yet did i tell you i had NO problems with the car ever (besides TPS) and once i sell the car it does this twice in one week.. lesson learned dont sell to friends cause they may just think ure selling them a lemon!!!
Tony
Tony
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From: Illinois
Guys,
Thanks for all the help and input. I'll check out the MAF tonight...it makes sense since it only acts up when it's rainy/high moisture outside. Kinda like it's extinguishing the hot wire or something. (is ours a hot wire system?)
You guys are great!
Percy
Thanks for all the help and input. I'll check out the MAF tonight...it makes sense since it only acts up when it's rainy/high moisture outside. Kinda like it's extinguishing the hot wire or something. (is ours a hot wire system?)
You guys are great!
Percy
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Originally Posted by Percy
Guys,
Thanks for all the help and input. I'll check out the MAF tonight...it makes sense since it only acts up when it's rainy/high moisture outside. Kinda like it's extinguishing the hot wire or something. (is ours a hot wire system?)
You guys are great!
Percy
Thanks for all the help and input. I'll check out the MAF tonight...it makes sense since it only acts up when it's rainy/high moisture outside. Kinda like it's extinguishing the hot wire or something. (is ours a hot wire system?)
You guys are great!
Percy
Yeah - we have hotwire. Good luck with it and let us know the outcome.
Makes me think. We should have a sticky somewhere that says the problems you were having and then gives an explanation of the problem. Just an idea but it would probably help a lot
Jonny
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Thread Starter
Moderator - Electronics Forum
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Illinois
Lexus was closed so I had another guy at Autozone pull up the codes. PO120 and PO121. Description said that something in the circuit is causing a malfunction...mass air sensor, MAP sensor...etc.
Percy
Percy
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From: Illinois
ok guys, here's the story. Throttle position sensor by the throttle body went DEAD today in the middle of traffic. Started to give the traction light and the VSC light, eventually gave the check engine light. 95% of the pedal travel was DEAD. BUT, the last 5 percent is the "limp home" mode. For those that don't know, it utilizes 25% of the power to get you home or a dealership. It's only about a 1/3rd inch of travel, and on the last bit of pedal, but if you're sensitive enough, you can almost control the car like nothing happened. ALMOST.
Nice to know that the Lexus won't completely go dead on you and leave you stranded. Throttle postion sensor is on order right now...about 2 months ago they would have had to order out the entire throttle body. TPS sensor is available seperately now.
Also, mass air sensor is DUAL filament. There's a warning code generated for each filament if it goes out. And if one goes out, the other will usually get you home. If BOTH go out at the same time (not very likely), then the engine will die completely.
Percy
Nice to know that the Lexus won't completely go dead on you and leave you stranded. Throttle postion sensor is on order right now...about 2 months ago they would have had to order out the entire throttle body. TPS sensor is available seperately now.
Also, mass air sensor is DUAL filament. There's a warning code generated for each filament if it goes out. And if one goes out, the other will usually get you home. If BOTH go out at the same time (not very likely), then the engine will die completely.
Percy
Last edited by Percy; Dec 28, 2005 at 09:00 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 461
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From: northern va
Hey Percy,
Does this this mean you do not have to replace the MAF sensor? im scared the dealership will replace the MAF sensor and the TPS sensor is the one thats actually bad and i wont know til it dies a couple of days after i get the car back.. thanks
tony
Does this this mean you do not have to replace the MAF sensor? im scared the dealership will replace the MAF sensor and the TPS sensor is the one thats actually bad and i wont know til it dies a couple of days after i get the car back.. thanks
tony
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Illinois
When a MAF sensor dies, the engine will not run at all. I tried this (taking the MAF "out of stream", still electrically connected) and the engine just goes dead. The TPS sensor is the one that goes intermittent with zero pedal control for 95% of it's travel.
MAF is dual filament. If one goes out, it should generate an error code while the other one is a backup. I have a spare just in case it goes, but it'll probably be quite a while.
Have the tech replace out the TPS sensor. Usually they go intermittent and the techs can't really diagnose an intermittent problem. I also had the same symptoms of the VSC and TRAC light go off and on, intermittently. If I pressed the gas all the way down, the lights would disappear...then reappear a few seconds later.
Percy
MAF is dual filament. If one goes out, it should generate an error code while the other one is a backup. I have a spare just in case it goes, but it'll probably be quite a while.
Have the tech replace out the TPS sensor. Usually they go intermittent and the techs can't really diagnose an intermittent problem. I also had the same symptoms of the VSC and TRAC light go off and on, intermittently. If I pressed the gas all the way down, the lights would disappear...then reappear a few seconds later.
Percy
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From: northern va
well i guess the error code they got said the MAF sensor was bad.. which im sure its not but thats not really the point. should i tell them to replace it anyways? i would hate to replace something that isnt broken. and i would hate even more to bring it back again cause its the TPS and not the MAF sensor.. how much did u pay for ure TPS sensor? im already 250 in the hole for the MAF sensor. thanks
tony
tony