Last spring, my trunk on my 2012 Lexus LS460 base flooded. Several months later, I got a warning on my dash telling me to check my parking brake system and my parking brake and the brake hold system no longer functioned. I removed the lining from the trunk and took out the Computer Assy for the parking brake (part number 89050-50020). The circuit board was absolutely destroyed. I've been able to find three options for replacing it online: a used OEM one on eBay for $120, what I believe is a new OEM one from BlackHawkJapan.com for $300, or a new OEM one from Lexuspartsoutlet for $700. Does anyone know if a used computer will work or is there anything stored in the part that might prevent it from being reprogrammed with a different car?

I am also wondering how to explain my problem to the dealer. I am not familiar enough with techstream to be able to reprogram the parking brake myself so I will need to take it to the dealer for programming. I worry that if I give them all the information and tell them that I replaced the part myself, that they will refuse to program it and make me purchase the part from them at the OEM MSRP price of $1,000. I'm wondering if it would be best to simply tell the dealer my parking brake is no longer working and that the Computer Assy for the parking brake needs to be reprogrammed and leave it at that or if it's better to tell them the whole story. Thanks for any tips!

 

Amaya.com is a Japanese provider of OEM new parts at a great discount. $237 plus $20 shipping. Electronic components are going to work without any issues if you stick with OEM. Too many reports here of non OEM (usually made in China) having issues and you can't get your money back. Why not call a Lexus and a Toyota dealer to get price quotes for programming before buying? There are also indy shops who can do this, just make a few calls. VT may not have many indy shops though. Maybe consider paying them to install and program with you providing the part. Be happy with saving hundreds on the part. Sometimes being too frugal creates problems. They need to make money to pay their bills too. No one will guarantee that it will work if you provide parts.

 

Why do you think it needs to be programmed?

Sorry, the manual does say that the controller needs to be calibrated. Maybe a good time to invest in a good code reader or Techstream setup.

 

It's 2 part procedure - cable lash adjust ("ACQUIRE TENSION SENSOR ZERO POINT") and parking brake shoe bedding (if needed). Sometimes just replacing the module works, sometimes isn't. With system as important as parking brake I guess doing it by the book is the safe bet. It's not hard at all with ts.

 

Just pull the trigger and buy a used EPB-ECU on ebay with free returns incase its a bad one. At the same time buy the adapter and disc of techstream and be done with it. I waited months Nd months worried it wasnt the problem and id be wasting money but it was the best thing I did. $120 for part $35 for adapter and software and done. Youll use the softeware more than once more than likely.

 

Good to hear positive results and sharing that outcome for others to learn.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone! I decided to buy the part from eBay, figured I could return it an buy one from Amaya if it ended up not working. I'm not even quite sure how to get techstream so I'm planning to take it to the dealer. If I run into any issues or they charge a ridiculously high price then I'll work on figuring out techstream. I'll keep you updated about the outcome. Thanks!

 

Just FYI the dealer might not be willing to install a used part. Hopefully your service technician is cool about it.