I've been having a couple problems with my GX470. As reference I have had the alternator, all shocks, and CV boots changed recently. Also, I installed HIDs.

The first problem was that the car was having trouble starting. When it was start the electronics were acting up. The navigation would turn off when headlights were in automatic. Also, the light for the gauges turned off when the headlights were on. Mechanic saw this as an alternator problem, so I had that and the battery changed out. Now everything is fine, however gauges still don't light up when the headlights are on. Fuse problem? HIDs? Ground wire?

Secondly, after I had the alternator changed a couple lights popped up. Check engine, VSC, things like that. An OBDII connecter claimed it was P0430. Have no clue how to tackle this.

Lastly, the front end makes a lot of rattles. When pressing the brake I hear a clunk from the front, and no it isn't the driveshaft. It will come every time I tap the brakes while rolling, never when stopped. It seems that the same sound also comes when the front end goes over a bump in the road or the bumpy middle dividers in the road. Either something is worn out or loose. The sound seems to be coming from both sides.

Many thanks to whoever helps me!

 

If your gauge lights started acting up when the HIDs were installed, and that was the only thing that was changed, then that certainly points a finger at the HIDs.

For the front clunks, put the truck on a lift and grab the front tires at the 3 & 9 o'clock position and see if it clunks when you move it. If it does, that points towards a tie-rod or steering rack problem. Now grab the tire at the 12 & 6 o'clock position and see if it clunks when you move it. If it does, that points at a ball-joint or suspension problem. If either one clunks significantly, schedule a service visit and avoid driving it until that time - a broken suspension component could result in the wheel coming off and a crash.

Chip H.

 

X2 on pointing fingers at your HID's. I'd start with removing them and seeing how the truck reacts. Possibly hooked up backwards, if that's even possible. Lots of Toyotas used switched ground setups for headlights, a good plug & play HID setup would have taken this into consideration.

 

Make sure the alternator wires are firmly attached to the alternator. When the alternator was changed, the tech may have left something loose. Easy to do if he was pressed for time. Unstable power could be glitching the computers causing all kinds of weird problems. Your GX also has the symptoms of the loose ground.

 

Make sure HID ballasts are not too close to other electrical wiring looms or components.

For the noise, check the brake pads, suspension as Chip described, skid plates, and sway bar bushings.

Here's a recent thread on the P0430:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...threshold.html

 

how did you install the HID's? did you use a relay kit? if you didn't go back and install them with a relay kit.
P0430 just reset the ecu or have someone clear code with a scanner if it comes back again then you need to do the rear o2 sensors, if not celebrate your triumph over the annoying P0430 code.

 

Diehardlex,

Can you share how much you paid to get your alternator fixed (parts +labor) ? I think I'm on that road, right behind you