Hi everyone,

I am looking for some guidance. I have a 2004 Ls430 and 7 out of 10 times when I get gas the pump clicks off numerous times before the car is actually filled.

It would not be a huge problem except I live in NJ where you are not supposed to pump your own gas.

Please let me know if anyone is aware of an easy fix for this issue.

Thanks

Ken

 

Ken;
I did a quick search and found this thread from a few years ago;

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...nk-issues.html

Looks like there was a TSB regarding this at one time...

 

I also have this problem. I have to actually hold the gas lever with my hand and hold it in a certain position. So annoying

 

Don't seem to have the problem with the LS, but I do with the BMW....I too fill up in NJ and the reason this is disconcerting is a) attendants fill and walk away--the fact that it stopped means a serious waste of time before the attendant will be back b) the attendant starts experimenting, such as turning the nozzle upside down, I have feared having it come out and hit the rear quarter....at least with the BMW the door is on the right, which means I can usually pull right up to the pump except at Costco. The left is a pita....not sure what the cure is.

edit: so it is a design flaw on 2001-2005 LS430's, interesting, I did not know that. So if I were to get another, I guess I would want only a 2006....click under new pdf

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post4977500

 

Thanks everyone.

The upside down trick does seem to work the best but I am afraid that it will shoot off the car once it detects it being full.

I looked at the PDF and it does not appear to be too difficult to replace.

Does anyone have any hands on experience with this replacement? Looks like the parts are about $100.

Thanks again for the assistance. Greatly appreciated.

 

I can't imagine how the original owner that had the flaw didn't have it corrected at Lexus's expense while under warranty.

 

Probably never dawned on him that this was a correctable item or that it didn't happen to him regularly. In the 21 fill-ups I've performed on my car since I picked it up last October I've run into this situation once. It would shut off at 2 different pumps at the same station. Needless to say, I just don't go there anymore...

 

Had the same problem w/ my 04. Yes there is a TSB. It started 2 months after I bought the car. I tried different stations, different pumps, different handle positions. Tried filling to just 1/2 tank. I did put in 1/2 bottle of gas cleaner (Duralube) as part of general maintenance. The problems lasted a month ( a couple of fill ups) and then just stopped. The car's been trouble free ever since (even at the stations where problems occurred). Good luck.

 

I have a 2002 LS430 w/ 160k and I deal with this too. Pretty annoying as I am sure if you deal with it you know.

 

I face this everytime I refill my car since my first refill 3 months back. Its annoying but I just hold the pump at an angle (45-90) and it works. I fill about 17-18 gal when range is 50 miles.

 

This doesn't seem to happen very often. If it's an inlet pipe design flaw, why do just a few owners have to deal with the problem? TSB is for 04's. I'm sorry to hear that js is having the problem w/ his '02. It is really irritating. I did pour a large bottle of gas cleaner into the tank while I was having the problem. Cleaner fuel filter? I don't know if this was the solution but, per my post, the problem stopped several refills later.

Maintenance, gas or age related? I have an 04 w/ 106k miles. Excellent condition, all scheduled maintenance done on time. Always use premium (and fill up at different stations). Generally babied (altho not always). Consistently get 28-30 mpg at 70 on cruise.

 

Its a design flaw covered under standard warranty. Its not just for 2004. Its applicable for 2001-2005 LS430 till production vin JTHBN36F#65037924. Part (filler neck) is about $100. Labor is 2 hours in TSB.

 

It seems to appear that people don't know if the fuel filler TBS has been performed by previous owner(s). You might get some clarity if you log on to mylexus.com, enter your VIN, and look at the service record for your car. Might help establish the cause people are having.

 

Just as a point of reference for you guys .. I've owned my car since it was new (2003), never had that TSB done or had the filler neck replaced. My wife and I do experience this problem from time to time. It's rare though and doesn't happen enough for me to worry about doing anything about it. I did have that problem about 2 months ago and it took me three or four tries to find and hold the nozzle in a position that wouldn't shut off. Never had to hold it completely upside down.

 

My service history does not show any of the known TSBs applied, including transmission reflash for 2004. It shows just the transmission recall. Previous owner did say he is not mechanically inclined, and used to 'let the dealer take care of maintenance'. He didn't know you can view service history online, and had all service history printed for my test drive.