Traction control and pulsating when braking
12-12-18, 12:24 PM
#1
Traction control and pulsating when braking
I just purchased a 2013 GS350 AWD and something strange is happening. It's only happened twice since I bought the car... but I have also had the car less than a week. When I start the car and put it in drive I see the traction control light flash and then it disappears. Then when I begin driving and put on the brakes I get a pulsating in my brakes.. as if I'm in SNOW mode.. but I'm not. if i turn the car off and restart it seems to fix the issue.
Any idea what this could be? I was reading something about hill assist.. but why would my brakes pulsate once I start driving and apply pressure?? any help is appreciated!!
Any idea what this could be? I was reading something about hill assist.. but why would my brakes pulsate once I start driving and apply pressure?? any help is appreciated!!
Last edited by 1sweetGS; 12-12-18 at 12:27 PM.
12-12-18, 12:30 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
It could be a sensor, but I suspect you'll need to have Lexus check it out and fix it for you...
The following users liked this post:
jonathancl (12-12-18)
12-12-18, 12:43 PM
#3
Agree--it's probably one of the ABS sensor that detects wheel motion that is not functioning correctly,or perhaps has a wiring problem. I used to have problems with these on another car caused by buildup of minerals from driving through areas where dump trucks frequent (like new housing neighborhoods). Plus the car was almost 20 years old and the wiring was not in very good condition after that many salty winters. Cleaning them with some rubbing alcohol did the trick, for a while until they got clogged again.
What may be happening is the sensor thinks you locked a wheel and is pulsing the ABS brakes--similar to what it would do if you slammed on the brakes on ice.
It may also be the ABS ECU is malfunctioning and not interpreting the signal from the sensors correctly. There are also g force sensors that play into the ECU as well. Hearing that you just bought the car and it's doing this tells me it probably was an issue the last owner either couldn't or wouldn't solve. That's the risk you take when you buy any used car.
It's just too difficult to troubleshoot these cars' electrical system, especially from the internet. I vote to take it into either an independent shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus or the dreaded Lexus stealer. Or if you are so inclined, see if you can pull any codes that may direct you to the issue, or at least to help keep your mechanic honest.
What may be happening is the sensor thinks you locked a wheel and is pulsing the ABS brakes--similar to what it would do if you slammed on the brakes on ice.
It may also be the ABS ECU is malfunctioning and not interpreting the signal from the sensors correctly. There are also g force sensors that play into the ECU as well. Hearing that you just bought the car and it's doing this tells me it probably was an issue the last owner either couldn't or wouldn't solve. That's the risk you take when you buy any used car.
It's just too difficult to troubleshoot these cars' electrical system, especially from the internet. I vote to take it into either an independent shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus or the dreaded Lexus stealer. Or if you are so inclined, see if you can pull any codes that may direct you to the issue, or at least to help keep your mechanic honest.
The following 2 users liked this post by SpicedRum:
1sweetGS (12-12-18),
jonathancl (12-12-18)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nhoj7491
Performance & Maintenance
0
08-13-18 10:19 AM
ohmike
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
3
02-16-07 04:10 PM