Hello to everyone! I recently had an issue where the top wouldn't close on my 2012 IS 250C convertible. It was getting stuck midway when the top would unlatch ok but stop moving at the centerpoint and fall back down. The rear package tray flipped up but got stuck and wouldn't go back down. So I took it to my dealership and they had it for 3 days + $450.00 diagnostic fee. They thought at first it was a relay/switch but then they came back and said the whole package tray had to be replaced. They quoted me $6000.00 which seemed kind of absurd compared to what I have read in these forums so far. I was guessing it would cost me $3000.00 max. I knew it wouldn't be cheap but I wasn't thinking $6000.00 which is over half the blue book value.

Can anyone tell me if $6000.00 for the part and labor are reasonable and if the diagnosis seems ok? I did call another dealership who quoted me a similar rate but I am wondering if the diagnosis is sound since it seems like several other owners were able to replace lesser parts to fix their top in similar cirumstances. It seems like from reading the motor or sensor/relay was the issue. Also, the dealership is saying that it wants $500.00 to close the top so the windows work even though the windows were working ok when I dropped off the vehicle.

Thanks,

Dan

 

Dang, that sounds like a lot. I've had issues before but nothing that extensive. When you operate your top, what error shows on the dash? My buddy works for a mechanic shop that just had a vert in for top issues. Came down to a bad sensor.

 

Thank you for your reply as it is in line with what I was thinking. I don't think it is the whole package tray either. I say this because it took them 3 days to diagnose it. I really think they don't know how to work on it as I even asked the service rep. before I let them work on it and he said they don't get the convertibles that often but they could handle it. I think they don't even know how to put it back together correctly. I say this because they are claiming I need to pay another $500.00+ to fix my windows which were working fine when I dropped it off to them. They went up and down with no problems. As for the code on the dash, it just gave the standard one about the roof isn't closed properly (I forget the exact phrasing). The purpose of my post was to find out from other IS 250C/IS 350C owners if they have had to replace the whole package tray or just the sensor. It seems from what I have read that most had to replace a sensor/switch/motor but not the whole package tray which I have confirmed is actually $6000.00 for the parts and labor.

I am calling the general manager today to lodge a formal complaint. My argument is that if I drop my car off for service, it should at least be returned in the state it was in originally. I actually feel that for the $458.00 I paid, they could at least just clear the error and lock the roof in place but I am not even going to go there. I just want my car back (it has been there > 1 week), with the roof operating the way it was (got stuck halfway), and then the windows working like they were. I don't feel that is an unreasonable expectation as a customer. Asking me to pay another $500.00 to fix the windows which were already working and to put the top up manually is crazy. I know the procedure and all they have to do is to lock the front and rear with the socket wrench after putting the package tray in the lowered position (the rear lifted and closed fine).

 

How many miles are on the car?

 

It has 89,000 miles on it. I purchased it in 2014 and it was certified, single owner. It has never been in an accident other than a minor scrape when I first had it where I scraped the back corner of the bumper on another car's bumper. I assumed around 100k I'd have to make some kind of repairs/maintenance to the roof, but I didn't think it would be $6000.00. I didn't get a call back from the general manager yet but most people are telling me that given they have had my car for 2 weeks total (I didn't realize it has been so long), they probably didn't know how to fix it and don't know how to put it back together again which is why they want another $500.00 just to close the roof after the $450.00 diagnostic fee. As for the windows not working, which they were when I dropped it off, they probably mucked something up when diagnosing it. I have been advised that I should be asking for them to just close the top, clear the code, fix my windows given I already paid $450.00 diagnostic or not. It doesn't cost $500.00 to perform the manual closing procedure and they are probably trying to recoup the cost of whatever the parts to fix the windows going up/down which they broke. Which is messed up.

It is just a shame because I love that car (it is my first convertible). I usually keep a car for 10 years but I knew with the convertible it would probably be shorter. I just didn't think this short. I am tempted to take it to a different Lexus dealership to have them diagnose it but the problem there is I don't know who does and doesn't really know what they are doing in working with the convertible top.

 

I spoke with the GM at the dealership and he said he would look into my issue. It was kind of funny - I got an email from the service advisor 15 minutes later stating my car would be ready for pickup tomorrow with the windows working and roof closed but no additional $500.00 charge. I thanked the general manager and I did explain to him that I was in no way dissatisfied with the service advisor as he was professional. The GM asked if I had spoken with the service manager and I said I had not because I felt he was the one who made the decisions. The GM said he understood my reasoning and apologized for the issue. So I should be able to pick up my car tomorrow and I then have to make the call as to whether I should try a different place to have them look at the roof as I suspect it isn't the whole package tray. Any suggestions as to places that know what they are doing with Lexus convertibles in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, or Pennyslvania? Thanks again for the replies I received on my issue.

 

Just for reference, here was the timeline:

- Mon. 08/05/19 dropped off for service and asked about convertible work, said they didn't get very many but could handle it
- Tues. 08/06/19 approval $478.00 diagnostic fee
- Wed. 08/07/19 tech called out
- Thurs. 08/08/19 tech called out
- Fri. 08/09/19 said more testing
- Tues. 08/13/19 said package tray replacement $7000.00
- Wed. 08/14/19 decided not to replace requested roof closed
- Wed. 08/14/19 9:31am said ready for pickup at end of day
- Wed. 08/14/19 called end of day and said not ready for pickup; informed him I was going on vacation and to be courteous asked if he needed the loaner back if my car would be ready before Mon. but he said to just use the loaner and car ready on Mon.
- vacation Thurs. & Fri.
- Mon. 08/19/19 said windows not working $501.00 to fix windows and manually close top ($1002.00 total)
- Tues. 08/19/19 called GM and he resolved the issue of getting car ready for pickup with windows working and top closed

I have removed the dealership name and service advisor name out of respect for both. My point is that most people I talked to said it shouldn't have taken that long to a) diagnose the issue or b) put the car back together and c) that I should question the accuracy of the diagnosis. But my alternate game plan is to drive the car for another year and then go for the other Lexus I've always liked - the RC350. I know it really isn't the best sports car for performance but damn if it doesn't look great! I'm not a "fast and the furious" type of driver. I just like something that looks good and drives above average but doesn't have to be great on the performance side.

 

I don't have a C but If I were in your shoes I would register with Toyota's TIS website for subscription (https://techinfo.toyota.com) to everything those techs have access too and gain all the knowledge you can before taking it somewhere else!

That said you may stumble upon a test method and diagnostic routine that ultimately lead to the repair of your C. If you need to test relays and sensors PM me as we can figure it out. A test lamp and hand held DMM as well as test leads will take you a long ways. I hate being gouged by someone who doesn't know what they are dealing with.

You might be out $30 but you will know more and likely be better advised than any SA you meet.

JM2C!

https://techinfo.toyota.com

 

Thank you for the sound advice as I was just discussing the whole Techstream thing with a friend. I will definitely consider a subscription to it for even more information prior to having someone look at the roof again or maybe even attempt some things myself possibly. Thanks for offering to point me in the right direction for whatever tools I'd need if I do go that route. I tried to read up as much as I could and look up parts on the internet and forums before I went to the dealer but unfortunately I got unlucky with the tech I guess. I'll know to ask more questions of the tech beforehand other than I did ask the service advisor if they had worked on the convertibles and if they could handle it ok.

On another note, as I said yesterday, the service advisor said my car would be ready for pickup today. I haven't received a call yet so who knows if they have figured out how to put humpty dumpty back together again. Not really sure why they would have had to taken much apart other than the package tray area unless they actually took the whole package tray out which is an involved procedure (I hope they didn't in this case). I guess if I don't get a call today I'm going to have to stop by the shop and see just what is going on.

On another note, I did locate a used package tray for $800.00 vs. $2500.00 for a new one but I would need to discuss the return policy with the seller. I still think it is only part of the package tray like sensor/relay/motor issue.

 

I would definitely try and determine what needs replacing myself or find an independent mechanic who has dealt with diagnosing and repairing other hard top convertibles. $6K is ridiculous.

 

Glad to hear the GM is settling things for you and returning your car. Looks like you heard about TechStream, see if you can get your hands on one. It could be the thing that saves you thousands. I plan on getting one soon to tinker with, want to see what I can get access to.


Check photo with 2 arrows pointing to possible culprit (Could be either left or right side of vehicle). My trunk has been stripped so I can see everything, but there is a locking mechanism when the rear window goes down. That needs to lock before the A & B sections of the top start to retract. If that does not lock into place i.e. rear window can be pulled back up manually with your hand then it is that sensor/relay that is telling the car it can't finish the operation (confirmed with my tech friend who worked on that vert I mentioned earlier, that it was that sensor). I'll check my trunk when I get home.

 

Online parts store: https://parts.lexus.com/Lexus_2010_IS-250C-25L-AT.html

Here is OEM parts list and prices for all the mechanical stuff in the trunk. https://parts.lexus.com/a/Lexus_2010...6410-6105.html

Package tray parts list and prices https://parts.lexus.com/a/Lexus_2010...6410-6403.html