Hi all,
I have a 1998 Lexus GS300. The car has over 250,000 miles on it, however, it's always been well maintained and dealer serviced. It looks and rides like it did when new. Recently, my check engine light came on and today I noticed that the car will sometimes hesitate when I press the gas. This usually happens on the highway, but it just did it while pulling into my driveway. Also, the check engine light started flashing as the car was hesitating. Has anyone had any experience with this issue? Any ideas on what it could be?

Thanks!

 

Do you have an aftermarket oiled air filter like a K&N? If so, the oil on the filter may have gunked up the MAF sensor so it will most likely need a cleaning.

 

try the search... this topic comes up at least 2-3 times a month

 

Could be a number of things. Throttle Position Sensor is known to fail with high mileage. Check codes would be first thing.

 

pull the codes or we will be just guessing and shooting from the hip

 

Thanks for your replies! I have nothing aftermarket on the car. Everything, including the oil and air filters are installed by my dealer's service department. I'll definitely try the search for others who have had this same issue, thanks. As for pulling or checking the codes, what's the easiest way to do it? You'll have to forgive me... I'm pretty handy with my classic muscle cars, but once the electronics and computers get involved, I leave those to the professionals!

 

Easiest way is to have someone do it for you... I know I'm a smart ***.

You can go to a Autozone and they will pull the trouble codes with a scanner and then go from there.

F.Y.I. a blinking cel indicates a cylinder misfire and the car should not be driven. It could be anything spark plugs, sp wires, wire harness, fuel injectors, MAF, bad gas, or a stuck cd in the player.

...anyway below are a few links about obd2, probably more than you ever wanted to know.

good luck



http://www.autoshop101.com/autoshop15.html#OBD2
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/tech/OBDII_ECU/
http://www.samarins.com/diagnose/checkengine.html

 

get an obd2 code reader, the connector should be somewhere by the pedals, not entirely sure though lol

 

Thanks again, everyone! And thanks for the info, FrankT. You're right... I drove the car very briefly today and it definitely feels like it's misfiring. I have a service appointment for Monday morning, so I'll have the dealer look at it! Again, thanks to all for your replies!