New LS 400 Feature: Brakes Control Windshield Wipers
10-05-06, 05:22 PM
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New LS 400 Feature: Brakes Control Windshield Wipers
Get ready for a strange story:
I own a 2000 LS 400 and have had no problems with it through its life (it is currently at 65,000+ miles). Within the last month, it has had several "episodes" and I don't know what to do. During these episodes,
(1) when I push on the brakes, the windshield wipers start. When I step off the brakes, they stop.
(2) the "Check VSC" and "Low Washer Fluid" messages appear in the green screen area as well as the orange "ABS" and "VSC" lights.
(3) Many electrical functions (like the A/C, radio, etc.) stop working.
(4) The window defroster light flashes.
(5) If the problem occurs when I start up the car (rather than while I am driving), I cannot get it out of park.
Soon after (within 30-60 minutes), all these problems go away. If it sounds like the car is "possessed" that is what it seems like.
I took it to the local Lexus service dept after its first episode, but of course it was not possessed while there and so the guys did 2 hours worth of "tests" but found nothing wrong and said it might have been due to a random electrical short. The problem is - it's not random. It has now happened 2 more times since and the last time I was stuck (could not get out of park) in a parking lot for 45 minutes.
Does anyone have any ideas or has anyone heard something like this before? Since it will be hard to have it at the repair shop while it is in the midst of an episode, I think my best bet of solving this problem is to describe it and hopefully have someone recognize what's going on. Any help would be much appreciated.
Best,
Joey
I own a 2000 LS 400 and have had no problems with it through its life (it is currently at 65,000+ miles). Within the last month, it has had several "episodes" and I don't know what to do. During these episodes,
(1) when I push on the brakes, the windshield wipers start. When I step off the brakes, they stop.
(2) the "Check VSC" and "Low Washer Fluid" messages appear in the green screen area as well as the orange "ABS" and "VSC" lights.
(3) Many electrical functions (like the A/C, radio, etc.) stop working.
(4) The window defroster light flashes.
(5) If the problem occurs when I start up the car (rather than while I am driving), I cannot get it out of park.
Soon after (within 30-60 minutes), all these problems go away. If it sounds like the car is "possessed" that is what it seems like.
I took it to the local Lexus service dept after its first episode, but of course it was not possessed while there and so the guys did 2 hours worth of "tests" but found nothing wrong and said it might have been due to a random electrical short. The problem is - it's not random. It has now happened 2 more times since and the last time I was stuck (could not get out of park) in a parking lot for 45 minutes.
Does anyone have any ideas or has anyone heard something like this before? Since it will be hard to have it at the repair shop while it is in the midst of an episode, I think my best bet of solving this problem is to describe it and hopefully have someone recognize what's going on. Any help would be much appreciated.
Best,
Joey
10-05-06, 07:04 PM
#2
Welcome to CL.
Sounds like a grounding issue. This could be anywhere but check the brake switch plunger switch located behind the brake pedal arm inside.
Clean and check the battery wiring harness in the engine compartment, particularly the neg side. Check that it isn't rubbing on something and for any wear along that wire.
Any terminals that may have been unplugged or not are worth checking to verify they are plugged in okay.
Any blown fuses?
All the lights working properly?
Sounds like a grounding issue. This could be anywhere but check the brake switch plunger switch located behind the brake pedal arm inside.
Clean and check the battery wiring harness in the engine compartment, particularly the neg side. Check that it isn't rubbing on something and for any wear along that wire.
Any terminals that may have been unplugged or not are worth checking to verify they are plugged in okay.
Any blown fuses?
All the lights working properly?
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