Notices
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

03 accelerator when pushed loses power

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 06:15 PM
  #1  
Timbelow's Avatar
Timbelow
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Default 03 accelerator when pushed loses power

Seems like my 430 doesn’t have the power when I push on he accelerator. Sometimes it really stalls bad but gets better after the car warms up. Even after the car warms up if I push down hard on the accelerator it does not accelerate like it should. The vcs light and engine light came on. Any suggestions.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 06:33 PM
  #2  
LS430inDE.'s Avatar
LS430inDE.
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 87
From: Delaware
Default

Originally Posted by Timbelow
Seems like my 430 doesn’t have the power when I push on he accelerator. Sometimes it really stalls bad but gets better after the car warms up. Even after the car warms up if I push down hard on the accelerator it does not accelerate like it should. The vcs light and engine light came on. Any suggestions.
Get the codes! Hook up an OBD2 scanner and see what codes it's showing. On first description it sounds like a MAF (mass airflow) sensor with the p/n 22204-22010. It's around $140 and is a very simple DIY. I'm sure there's many threads of cleaning them or changing them. Only tool needed is a small phillips screwdriver. You can try cleaning the sensor ONLY with MAF sensor cleaning spray. All literature says to stay away from using cleaners such as carb cleaner, brake cleaner, throttle body cleaner, etc!

Did the code (check engine light) come on after she started missing/stalling badly or did the code come first, and then you experienced the stalling, or did they happen at the same time?

Edit--- $65 for OEM Denso on RockAuto

Last edited by LS430inDE.; Feb 6, 2018 at 06:37 PM. Reason: price check!
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 07:08 PM
  #3  
Hklexus's Avatar
Hklexus
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 2
From: HK
Default

It sounds like the problem I had with my 01 ls430 which the car would just bog when trying to accelerate or kickdown. Under light throttle it was fine though, and my car didn't throw any cel. Cleaning the maf sensor helped a lot, although the car still sometimes feel like it would stutter a little say when I am going up a hill with the gear selector in 3 and I gradually increase the throttle beyond 50%, misfire maybe? I didn't manage to remove the maf sensor from the housing to clean it though cos the screws were starting to strip so I just removed the air filter housing and cleaned the maf sensor that way. Hope this helps.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 08:49 PM
  #4  
ls430w140's Avatar
ls430w140
Advanced
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 716
Likes: 168
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by Timbelow
Seems like my 430 doesn’t have the power when I push on he accelerator. Sometimes it really stalls bad but gets better after the car warms up. Even after the car warms up if I push down hard on the accelerator it does not accelerate like it should. The vcs light and engine light came on. Any suggestions.
There may be at least 10 reasons for this to happen. Need codes to figure out.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 10:49 PM
  #5  
Mobius1's Avatar
Mobius1
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 152
Likes: 21
From: North Carolina
Default

Check transmission fluid levels just in case. There may be a leak somewhere. Hopefully that's not the issue but can never be too sure.

My last car did that. It had begun to leak and going uphill in the mountains was a struggle until it was fixed. Pressing the accelerator all the way would cause it to decelerate actually. Eventually it lost enough fluid that it would skip when accelerating off the line.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2018 | 07:30 AM
  #6  
bloomwcjkl's Avatar
bloomwcjkl
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 243
Likes: 24
From: North Dakota
Default

Clean Mass Airflow Sensor
Replace Air Filter/Clean

Could be a failing fuel pump

Need the codes to see what else is happening.

When I get a hesitation in the pedal, I turn the key on (do not start) then slowly press and release the gas pedal 5 times. Slow all the way down. Slow all the way up. Then turn the car off.

This calibrates the Pedal Position Sensor. If I feel a little hesitation, I do this and it has been working.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2018 | 11:54 AM
  #7  
caverman's Avatar
caverman
Instructor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 199
From: DFW, TX
Default

I've been running down an issue on my GS and based on the symptoms you've described it could be the Throttle Position Sensor. Like others have said you need the codes to narrow it down. I just picked up a highly rated code reader off of Amazon for $35. Keeps me from having to go to the auto store just to read codes and I can use it on any of my family or friends cars.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2018 | 10:58 AM
  #8  
Timbelow's Avatar
Timbelow
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Default

Just wanted to thank everybody for their comments and suggestions. As it turned out it was the MAF sensor. Installed it and no hesitation in power whatsoever. Have a great day everybody
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2018 | 04:07 PM
  #9  
LS430inDE.'s Avatar
LS430inDE.
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 87
From: Delaware
Default

Originally Posted by Timbelow
Just wanted to thank everybody for their comments and suggestions. As it turned out it was the MAF sensor. Installed it and no hesitation in power whatsoever. Have a great day everybody
NICE! Who did the repair, and what/where did you source the parts and for what cost? (I ask a lot of questions, can't you tell? )
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2018 | 07:19 PM
  #10  
Timbelow's Avatar
Timbelow
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Default

I bought the maf from Oreilly’s auto parts for $82.00 and I changed it out in there parking lot. Only took about 3 minutes
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2018 | 07:22 PM
  #11  
Timbelow's Avatar
Timbelow
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Default

I just had new brake pads put on by a local mechanic and the brake wear light is still on. What is the remedy to get it to go off?
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2018 | 07:38 PM
  #12  
jimbosr1's Avatar
jimbosr1
Pole Position
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 245
Default

you have to change the brake wear sensor wire,its a wire that breaks when you wear down your brakes..
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2018 | 07:44 PM
  #13  
jimbosr1's Avatar
jimbosr1
Pole Position
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 245
Default

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ar-sensor.html
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2018 | 08:06 PM
  #14  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by Timbelow
I just had new brake pads put on by a local mechanic and the brake wear light is still on. What is the remedy to get it to go off?
When you install the new ones plug them in but zip tie them to the knuckle instead of putting them back on the brake pad, so you wont have to replace them again.

Last edited by 05ls430518; Feb 11, 2018 at 08:14 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2018 | 06:23 AM
  #15  
Legender's Avatar
Legender
Racer
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 87
From: TX
Default

I’ve used the cheap sensors from eBay with no problems after 30k miles.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:28 PM.