I have a 2001 LS430 Ultra with about 85,000 miles on it. This morning I got in the car and it told me the trunk was open. So, I went and closed it, got back in, and noticed the following on the dash: fuel guage pegged at empty (it has plenty of gas), all trip monitors were reset (miles until empty, mpg this tank, etc), steering wheel not telescoping, steering wheel radio and other control buttons not working, side view mirrors not adjusting using control, trunk won't release. What in the world? Could this be fuse related or is it worse? Could a low battery cause this? We have had about 4 inches of rain in the last day but that shouldn't be related.

The following did work fine - gps, radio, speedometer, seats.

Help.

 

does your in cabin gas door release work? since i bought my car, i have simular problems with steering wheel telescoping, mirror adustments, trunk release (i think they are all tied in some how). and now i have the steering wheel radio controls and horn went out after i washed the car one day. its weird, some times when i make a hard left u-turn the controll will go back on for a while. my fuses or good and i just replace the battery. i had a tech check out my first problem and he said my ecu's were working but throwing codes. said i have a short or loose circuit somewhere along the harness. to go through the whole interior harness would take alot of time and money. one of these day im going to go through it myself. if i find any thing ill let know.

 

I would start with the battery. But, if the car has been parked outside, especially on the street, 4" of rain plus splash from passing traffic can mean water got into something.

 

Thanks for the feedback - water got into the trunk and flooded the trunk ECU. Not quite sure how it got in because it was only under the trunk cover (by the spare tire on the left). Took it to a shop I trust and they fixed the trunk seal issue and are drying out the ecu and say it looks promising so far.

 

Where did you take your vehicle to? I'm in VA also.

 

I am in Richmond - took it to Mike at Grove Avenue Exxon. Great job fixing it - fixed the leak / seal issue, dried out the ECU, and everything is working as if nothing happened. Total bill - $212 and he kept it for a few days to monitor everything and test spraying water in there, etc. Great job. Dealer would have replaced the ECU right off the bat I am sure.

 

Great call! I too, initially thought of this...but convinced myself there's NO way splashing water could affect an idle (non-moving) car. Especially the LS..which is seals up like a scared turtle!

General---you may want to save up for a future purchase of an ECU. I don't think it's very common that an electrical device that gets wet will ever work 100% properly 100% of the time again! The last thing you need is the engine cutting out while on i-95 or something!

 

That's good to know. I've observed that many cars are designed to shed water well if they are parked on a level surface or on an incline - nose up. Some cars parked nose down tend to collect water in the front of the trunk opening which finds it's way into the trunk. Water can also get into the trunk lid and drain into the trunk when you open the lid. (One of my co-workers' STS did this.)