Hi. Although I appreciate all imput, please only answer this if you really know about it. In addition to my cars listed, I have an '05 LS430 that I had purchased for a family member from an insurance company. The car has 7,000 miles on it and had light front damage. A friend of mine who owns a body shop repaired the car for me by replacing both front fenders, the hood, bumper, grille, etc.

The car came out great and looks and drives showroom new. The only problem I am having is that the "check engine" and "VSC" light keep coming on whenever its driven. It originally had a code 051 on it. Nothing could be found wrong. Eventually, after getting advice, the O2 sensors in the rear and then the front were changed. Lights were still on, then I took her to a "Lexus Expert", he said nothing was wrong, it was just a bad gas cap and if I changed it and drove 250-300 miles and then reset the lights, it would solve the problem. Did that and the lights came back on. The car runs great and this is driving me crazy. Does anyone know what could be the cause? And before you ask, no, it is not under warranty (because I bought it from the insurance co. so I cannot just bring it to the dealer) and the dealer I asked had no clue of what was wrong.

PLEASE HELP.....

 

I would take it to a different Lexus dealer. Seems like a man with 4 Lexii spread across 2 states should be able to come up with the $...

 

Sounds like a speed/traction control sensor.

Have you had the codes read once again? Never heard of a 051 code. Its usually 4 numbers.

 

I agree with moderator. especially since you had front end work done. See my previous post titled "Check VSC." In that thread, there's also a way for you to do a quick code check.

 

I used to own an 01 ultra that was hit on the front.Had the same problem the vcs light coming on the diagnosis was a speed sensor it was replaced and light went out for a while.It then came back intermitantly.I think with all the electronic stuff if it is hit in front most body shops are not qualified to fix the electronics.Best of luck

 

Thanks for your replies! The speed sensor you are talking about, is it the vehicle speed sensor that goes in the engine or the sensor that attches to the anti-lock bakes? I assume the one that goes in the engine (about $64 dollars).

 

for the anti-locking brakes (its actually for traction control).

 

Thank you to those who responded. I had my other LS430 at the dealer for a smart key problem that turned out to be a bad computer (under the dash). I gave them the whole senario of what my problem was with the CEL etc. At their suggestion, we put the car on a lift and checked the exhaust manifold (where the left front O2 sensor connects) and guess what, there was the slightest dent in the manifold and had the "tail" of the sensor pinched. This was causing all the problems.

Removed sensor, rethreaded connector, replaced sensor and no more problems.