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I've been looking for a cheap Lexus to use for a daily driver to keep miles off of my truck and I found an 02 LS 430 that is close to what I'm looking for. However, I'm dealing with an "auto-broker" that told me the VCS off light is illuminated, but no other lights are on the dash. She bought the car at an auction a month ago, replaced a bad battery terminal and has been driving it over the last three weeks and it's been on since she put in a new battery and had the terminal replaced. I tried to read some threads here about this light, but they're a bit dated and filled with a lot of different information. Anyone know what the most common issue is with this year / model when that light comes on? Don't want to buy this car and then sink a ton of money into it, obviously. I've owned a GS300 in the past, so this is much more vehicle than that and I don't know much about these.
Also, any common issues with these vehicles I should look for when looking over / driving the car that are easily overlooked? Any help is appreciated. Hopefully, I'll be joining the LS family this week.
Thanks so much
Tried to edit the title to add "VCS off" light, but it won't let me edit my title. Forgive my N00bish, vague thread title.
I think the warning light is "VSC Off", in which case, VSC stands for Vehicle Skid Control. There are a number of causes for this warning light. The best way to determine the culprit is to pull the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) with a OBDII reader. If you don't have a reader, you can stop by most auto parts retail stores (AutoZone, etc.) and ask them to read the codes for you. Listed below are some of the possible DTC's associated with the VSC warning light.
For what it's worth.....if it happened to be that the ABS motor was bad, no mater what you pay for the car, it's too much. Our cars although have been basically reliable, they are super expensive to repair. Do your homework and research. If an LS430 was given to you as a gift, if the car wasn't properly taken care of the repairs alone could be prohibitive to consider owning. Search for a well maintained car with records.
My father has owned a Toyota / Lexus repair shop for almost 30 years, so repairs aren't a huge issue, but the car is almost 2 hours away and didn't want to make the trip if there was a common issue that was costly with that light being on. From what I've read it can be any number of things, so looks like I'm just going to grab his reader and make the trip.
I hate that KBB and other "guides" are so off compared to the actual market were in with these older vehicles. She's asking $5500 for a base LS 430 with 180k and it's clean. Problem is the market here is flooded with garbage, or overpriced nonsense. Where is that one owner retired couple looking to unload their car with 98k miles for good money? HAHA!!
My "VCS Off" light came on immediately after I smogged it, about an hour after I bought it. Jumped the TS and GC pins on the OBDII port (3rd from left top and 5th from left bottom) and turned the key to on and left it for 20 seconds or more and then turned the key off and removed the jumper, started it back up and no more VSC code.
Car had no codes and all readiness monitors were set (checked when I was inspecting the car to buy) so I believe the plug in test at the Smog Test station set it off.
Just bought a 2002 LS430 with 138786 miles a month ago. It had the same issue. Don`t be afraid to enter your question to google and find the fix.
I did just just this when I drove 110 miles to test drive it and buy it. Picked it up for $3636.10. List price was $3690. Drove over my old 97 Toyota
Avalon with 222879 miles. They gave me $400 for trade in value. Everything I found wrong with the car Google had the fix. Here is the lick that
helped me fix the VCS light. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...c-vsc-off.html
Please note that you can also manually turn off the Vehicle Skid Control and get the "VSC OFF" light. Here are pages from the 2002 LS430 Owner's Manual...
Okay, so she claims to have taken the car to the Lexus dealer to diagnose the VSC Off light and they told her it was a blown fuse and they are fixing it now. Anyone ever hear of this? Thanks
I'm more concerned that there is an issue with the car rather than just turning the light off though. If it was a wholesale price she was asking, I wouldn't mind too much and take a chance, but she wants good money for this car. It's clean as hell, so the price is justified. Just don't want to buy the car and then have to sink another $2,000 into a serious issue, ya know? I get that used cars are a crap shoot...
I researched these forums for weeks before buying, fixed them all within a day after purchase with no cost. Simple stuff that goes un-diagnosed.
My subwoofer was not shot, just needed a bead of silicone around the outer edge that rattling. Youtube has hundreds of videos on how to fix
many of these issues.
I researched these forums for weeks before buying, fixed them all within a day after purchase with no cost. Simple stuff that goes un-diagnosed.
My subwoofer was not shot, just needed a bead of silicone around the outer edge that rattling. Youtube has hundreds of videos on how to fix
many of these issues.
I got lucky with the front brakes being done OEM, and the driver door actuator. but if I knew then what I know now, LCA bushings, rear sunshade, wheel alignment, I get it this cuts into profits, so maybe they take the retail price of said repairs, and cut it in half, or even 40 cents on the dollar, off the sale. I was impressed by the body and Florida car blah blah blah. Timing belt since it was 81k, I didn't ask for that. But 89k or beyond 90k? You bet. I consider myself lucky they did those two items no questions asked....they could have said you shoulda mentioned them before buying, sorry.
btw my research totally missed the tilt/telescope, but caught the mirror control..
Welcome to the club my man. Now that's cheap. Does it need a lot of work?
Doesnt need much. Runs and drives fine, body and interior is still in good condition. the only problems i have noticed is that the front passenger door lock actuator does not work, the steering tilt doesnt work andi have been having a problem with the alerm going off randomly, suspect it to be the hood latch though
02-28-17, 02:46 PM
Looking to buy -- 2002 Lexus LS 430
