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Help- MISFIRING (2000 LS400 vvt)

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Old May 30, 2023 | 08:08 AM
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Default Help- MISFIRING (2000 LS400 vvt)

Recently picked up a 2000 LS400 with 159,000 miles.
Prev owner claims to have done Timing Belt at 90,000, but theres really no proof of it being done.
When I test drove it, it was perfect. Smooth as butter, trans shifted up and down, same with engine even at highway speeds. Very quiet both inside the cabin and out.
After driving maybe ~40 miles, at city speeds, I get a check engine light and VSC off light. Noticed a rough idle, and it vibrates a little.

Got following codes:
P1349 (vvt malfunction bank 1)
P0300 (random multiple misfire)
P0301 (cyl 1 misfire)
P0303 (cyl 3)
P0305 (cyl 5)
P0307 (cyl 7)

Now, considering I want to also replace the timing belt, I would just want someone experienced to work on it.
Theres a Toyota/Lexus master tech who owns his own shop and im planning on going to him, but I am also considering going to a lexus dealer.
I dont really know what the safest option would be, considering my Ls is misfiring.

Could anyone guide me a bit here?
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Old May 30, 2023 | 08:30 AM
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Your symptom reminds me of a simple VVTi problem caused by the partially bent shaft of the VVTi solenoid of Bank 1. It must be something like this video.
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Old May 30, 2023 | 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Yamae
Your symptom reminds me of a simple VVTi problem caused by the partially bent shaft of the VVTi solenoid of Bank 1. It must be something like this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnbJ6-nc6Oo
If in my case the solenoid is the only fault, will the misfire fix itself when I replace it?
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Old May 30, 2023 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by jpater
If in my case the solenoid is the only fault, will the misfire fix itself when I replace it?
Would you ask me this question after studying the algorithm of the ignition system?
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Old May 30, 2023 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Yamae
Would you ask me this question after studying the algorithm of the ignition system?
See thats probably the reason I came here first, and thanks for your help.
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Old May 30, 2023 | 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by jpater
See thats probably the reason I came here first, and thanks for your help.
This page would help you to know more.
https://automotivetechinfo.com/2021/...sing-the-igts/
You can find the relationship between the drive signal IGT and the feedback signal IGF in this video.
The incorrect cam timing will cause the incorrect phase of the IGF and the misfire code is set.
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Old Aug 26, 2023 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Yamae
Your symptom reminds me of a simple VVTi problem caused by the partially bent shaft of the VVTi solenoid of Bank 1. It must be something like this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnbJ6-nc6Oo
Hadda come back and thank you. Been a couple months and been enjoying my ls.
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Old Aug 26, 2023 | 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by jpater
Hadda come back and thank you. Been a couple months and been enjoying my ls.
Thanks for the update?
Did you use the genuine VVT-i solenoid?
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BTW, I have a 2000 LS and recently replaced timing belt at 165k (this second belt, first replacement was 65k at 10 years old prior to me). I had several mis-fire codes and the VSC light come up about 30 days after repair and was convinced it was timing belt related. After a couple trouble shooting options (eg, coil and plug for cylinder 1, bad fuel, etc) I was running out of options. Finally, I stopped driving it and the battery died... and ultimately realized the alternator was finished. I replaced the alternator and lo and behold the misfire/VSC failure ceased. Car's running like a top again. Bottom line, I've learned the car is an electrical power hog, and likes fresh batteries (and of course properly working alternator.)
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Old Aug 28, 2023 | 11:06 AM
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I had VSC & other issues with my car when my battery was dying as well. I have no idea how old the existing battery was as it came with the car w\ no records or date (who doesn't write the ****ing date on it jfc).

Then one day I left the trunk open overnight and the battery was dead as a doornail. DEAD. Replaced the battery - boom everything operates perfectly. No more issues, ever.
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Old Aug 28, 2023 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Yamae
Thanks for the update?
Did you use the genuine VVT-i solenoid?
Yes,
But before I bought a whole new one I tried cleaning the original one like some recommended but it still persisted.
Job was simple, easy access to the bank 1 solenoid too.
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