I know electrical issues are a bear, so I am starting here to see if you guys have any ideas or experiences. I have done many searches but not seen anything similar. Here is my issue: '01 GS3 when it is wet or rainy, or more specific through a car wash, my fuel gauge drops to E and the light comes on (yes there is gas in the tank). The gauge will reset when I put fuel in and register correctly. It has done this for a while now and most recently the problem has branched out to the Temp gauge, and the Airbag light, and this last time the gear indicator light (on the speedo), the ext temp and the climate control mechanics, the door locks (all doors), and window switch (driver doors).

All these issues are intermittent and will go off and on while driving, with the exception of the Fuel gauge which requires a fill up.

I haven't taken it anywhere to try to pull codes yet. The most recent and most dramatic episode happened this AM so I will try to get it somewhere.

I would appreciate any suggestions on what to look into or try to resolve the problems. Thanks!

 

First try resetting the battery.

Or it could be related to the fuses... other CL members that have more knowledge would defiantely lead you in the right direction.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! Are you referring to resetting the ECU, by disconnecting the battery?

 

Yup, just take off the negative, for about 10 min.

 

Okay, I gave the ECU reset a try. No luck. All the issues remain. I had dry weather here today so things should have dried out during the day. I still have the fuel gauge issue, driver door window switch issues, and intermitant PDL switch issues. There is a short or error for sure with how the errors are delayed, like the steering wheel will wait 3-4 seconds after removing the key before retracting out of the drive position. I am positive that the cause is the moisture but I am not sure where the hardware that has the problem lies. Keep bringing the suggestions. Thanks

 

Very courious if you solved this problem^.. on mine my windshield wipers turn on when i drive on wet roads!.. and now as of today my gauge cluster keeps shorting out for a few seconds after i put a new fuse in!

 

No, no solution. I had the same/similar issue even when I hand washed it. Only it was the VSC lights were all on. The fuel guage seems to be a permanent issue now, it will register an almost full tank with a fill and quickly (100 mi) drop to empty. I haven't had time to just check lots of random possibilities and I haven't received much advice on the forum. I guess I will take it to a dealer for an expensive craps shoot

 

i just had the same issue tonite, been trying to diag for hours. checked all fuses, seem ok, weirdest thing now is my climate control stopped working, and it displays in celcius now.

reseting the ecu, will check up on the car in about 20mins to see if that fixed anything.

 

Yep, mine too! But about a month ago I finally fixed everything. I had to to the Lexus dealer and they wanted me to replace the drivers side junction block and possibly the ECU block in the same area (it's attached to the back of the junction block). There was a small amout of corrosion on the junction block and they decided that a SMALL amount of moisture was getting in and creating the problem. This made some sense and what I needed from them. My car was in an accident and had a weld that was redone just behind there from the steering column down. I pulled the drivers seat out, rolled back the carpet, unplugged everything and removed the junction block. I did see a very minor amout of corrosion, not enough that I thought would cause an issue. What I did find was that the wire branch connections just inside the door below the post had some considerable corrosion and the carpet padding was wet.

THE FIX OUTSIDE: I cleaned the area up on the outside and use a rubberized undercoating heavily to seal it up.

THE FIX INSIDE: I did replace the junction block, cost me about $125 from Sewell. I did not replace the computer as I saw no issues with it. I cleaned and undercoated the inside body as well. I also filled the bottom of the door post with some expanding foam to seal any other possible leaks because of where I found some other surface corrosion. I also used a rubber gasket cement to seal the rubber wire cover between the body and the door. The main remedy was cleaning the three wire branches (orange, blue, and white connections) with electronic contact cleaner some small wire bushes and my air compressor. Then I coated all the connections with an electronics water barrier spray. I also did this with most of the connections to the main junction block.

Everything was a bit tedious because it was in a small space with very small items but it fixed everything I was having issues with and no problems since!

Good Luck!

 

Can you post some pics?

 

pics would help thanks

 

Sorry guys I didn't take any pics at the time. Basically I just pulled everything electrical apart and cleaned and coated with hygroscopic protectant. The area that seemed to have the most issues was the three connections by the bottom front corner of the driver door sill. Pull back the carpet and you'll see them white, orange, and blue. I found it easiest to take the driver seat out, but I also pulled out the driver kick panel fuse box out and cleaned the same. Hope you guys have small hands! Feel free to ask specific questions.

 

I cleaned all the connectors on the drivers side and nothing. Then I proceeded to clean the passenger side and the padding under the carpet was wet. I cleaned all the connectors but nothing. I think I need to look behind the fuse block where the body ecu is. I think that will be the issue. I will see tomorrow