I'm getting a bit frayed by the universe in general and also my car. My 2003 Lexus LS430 has been in at the mechanics' for a week and a half while they figured out a dead battery problem was the alternator and replaced the alternator. They seem to be good mechanics, as far as I can tell, but they take awhile to do things as they tend to be booked up.

So I call in this morning to see how things are going, and the alternator work is done, but the vehicle skid control light is on, so they are looking at what's that about. I sort of guessed what the vehicle skid control system does, apparently correctly according to the phone guy.

What I am wondering is just how serious a problem this can be in terms of time to fix, like a couple of hours, days, weeks... :-) Could some electronic part be fried? just need to be reprogrammed? or? Thanks.

 

The VSC light can be triggered for a variety of reasons. If it is not accompanied by a Check Engine light it's more than likely battery related. You've obviously had battery and alternator issues.
I haven't had a battery issue with my 430 yet but every time the battery died on my 400 the VSC light came on. After replacing the battery the light would go off within a few hours.
The car is basically telling you the VSC system has been disabled until the charging issue is fixed, not that the system or a component is faulty.

 

"Good mechanics" should be able to pull the error code from the car. Most likely a CXXXX error.

This may be able to help you, depending on that error.

 

I have a 2005 ls430. Perhaps the following info will be useful, as the 2003's VSC systems may be similar.
Pls note: I am not a trained mechanic. Just trying to help - so verify my comments, and Good Luck.

Your ls430 has an onboard computer to monitor various systems. There are sensors. If a sensor(s) detect an abnormality, they send a signal
to the computer, which triggers a light. Apparently,
one of the sensors associated with the VSC system, or a previously mentioned
electrical problem, has done that.

There is an outlet - for
"On Board Diagnostics"
below the driver's
dash board. A mechanic plugs a scanner into the outlet. The scanner will interrogate the computer's memory, and it will
furnish a code. The code usually
tells which sensor or sensors are detecting a fault.

With that info, the part is replaced, or that area of the
system is looked into further.

An item that can trigger the VSC light is the evaporative control
(not sure of exact wording).
Some parts of it are: the fuel
tank fill cap, and a switching
valve (which controls exhaust).
So, talk to your mech about
them, etc. as possible culprits.

By the way, I understand that
some signals can be false.
And, the system can be reset
by disconnecting the neutral
clamp from the battery; and
reconnecting it (after a few? minutes or so). If the original problem is still being sensed by the computer (after 75? miles is so),
the VSC light will come on again.
So, you may want to give this option consideration, or a try.

Just some ideas & info to verify.

I am sure other forum members
will helpfully clarify, if necessary.

 

I just developed a similar issue - dead battery, replaced it, a few months later dead battery, replaced it, and it was dead again after a short time leaving the inner lights on and the trunk on for about 5 minutes. Charged battery and then the VSC light came on. I thought it might be an alternator issue, so I'll get that dealt with. I'm driving my Mom's 2000 LS 400 Lexus with 134,000+ miles. Drives like a dream and if it had satellite radio and I could figure out a way to get the rear seat to fold down I'd keep it.

Actually, I plan to see into having the car customized so the rear seat folds down - not sure if it is possible. Has anyone done this? I haven't looked it up in the threads yet.

 

Just in case this information is useful to someone else: I took the car to a Lexus dealer out of state, since the only one in state isn't worth a hill of beans. They fixed the vsc problem and here is my hazy recollection, perhaps incorrect, of what they told me. The alternator (or battery?) being replaced meant that some calibration had to be done and the independent mechanic had not done part of it perhaps because he didn't have the equipment? software?

What the receipt says is vcs zero point calibration had not been done. did calibration, vsc system now working,

 

Unfortunately the 22.5 Gallon gas tank is directly behind the rear seat. That's why the trunk isn't very deep at all.