Brake Malfunction Check ABS & VSC lights
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
From: florida
I might suggest if you get this code on the dash that you clear the codes with a scanner and disconnect the battery. Then drive it across town to a carwash and see if you get the codes again. My 2007 LS 460 car has 206K and we replaced a $2500 pump at 70K when I bought it used as a non-certified car five years ago. Start with disconnecting the battery which was the first reply to the original question.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
So my 2010 460L dash just lit up like a Christmas tree with beeps to go along with the lights.... found this thread. It looks like the ZLG warranty is going to protect me if it is a bad actuator since my car was produced in July 2010, so "10 years after first use" would be July 2020, and my car has 101k miles which is below the 150K threshold. "The Primary Coverage offers warranty enhancement until December 31, 2017, regardless of mileage.After the Primary Coverage end, the Secondary Coverage is applicable for 10 years from the date of first use, or150,000 miles, whichever occurs first." Does anyone here know the difference between "primary coverage" and "secondary coverage" under the ZLG warranty?
Here's my question - it's a bit of a pain for me to get to my Lexus dealer and I'd like to try to get the car taken in tomorrow or Saturday. If I take it to Toyota to get them to check the error codes, is there a way that they can check the codes without "clearing them"? I don't want the codes cleared if Toyota verifies that it's a brake actuator issue because I'll have to have Lexus verify the codes so they can fix it according to the warranty verbiage.
Appreciate any tips.
Here's my question - it's a bit of a pain for me to get to my Lexus dealer and I'd like to try to get the car taken in tomorrow or Saturday. If I take it to Toyota to get them to check the error codes, is there a way that they can check the codes without "clearing them"? I don't want the codes cleared if Toyota verifies that it's a brake actuator issue because I'll have to have Lexus verify the codes so they can fix it according to the warranty verbiage.
Appreciate any tips.
Last edited by jrmckinley; Nov 21, 2019 at 01:47 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 220
From: Ontario
So my 2010 460L dash just lit up like a Christmas tree with beeps to go along with the lights.... found this thread. It looks like the ZLG warranty is going to protect me if it is a bad actuator since my car was produced in July 2010, so "10 years after first use" would be July 2020, and my car has 101k miles which is below the 150K threshold. "The Primary Coverage offers warranty enhancement until December 31, 2017, regardless of mileage.After the Primary Coverage end, the Secondary Coverage is applicable for 10 years from the date of first use, or150,000 miles, whichever occurs first." Does anyone here know the difference between "primary coverage" and "secondary coverage" under the ZLG warranty?
Here's my question - it's a bit of a pain for me to get to my Lexus dealer and I'd like to try to get the car taken in tomorrow or Saturday. If I take it to Toyota to get them to check the error codes, is there a way that they can check the codes without "clearing them"? I don't want the codes cleared if Toyota verifies that it's a brake actuator issue because I'll have to have Lexus verify the codes so they can fix it according to the warranty verbiage.
Appreciate any tips.
Here's my question - it's a bit of a pain for me to get to my Lexus dealer and I'd like to try to get the car taken in tomorrow or Saturday. If I take it to Toyota to get them to check the error codes, is there a way that they can check the codes without "clearing them"? I don't want the codes cleared if Toyota verifies that it's a brake actuator issue because I'll have to have Lexus verify the codes so they can fix it according to the warranty verbiage.
Appreciate any tips.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Got the call earlier today that my 2010 460L (July production) has suffered the fate of the brake actuator issue. At first, the advisor was informing me of it with the cost being $3,600 to repair. I said "well, that will be covered by Lexus warranty under the ZLG program." He seemed caught off guard, mentioned the system "normally" notifies him of an eligible warranty program based on the VIN and the part(s) needed for repair. I'm skeptical, I think they make more money doing a private repair than what Lexus reimburses them for a warranty repair, but maybe I'm wrong.
Nonetheless, add me to the list... 2010 with 101K miles and a bad actuator.
Nonetheless, add me to the list... 2010 with 101K miles and a bad actuator.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 42
From: CA
Got the call earlier today that my 2010 460L (July production) has suffered the fate of the brake actuator issue. At first, the advisor was informing me of it with the cost being $3,600 to repair. I said "well, that will be covered by Lexus warranty under the ZLG program." He seemed caught off guard, mentioned the system "normally" notifies him of an eligible warranty program based on the VIN and the part(s) needed for repair. I'm skeptical, I think they make more money doing a private repair than what Lexus reimburses them for a warranty repair, but maybe I'm wrong.
Nonetheless, add me to the list... 2010 with 101K miles and a bad actuator.
Nonetheless, add me to the list... 2010 with 101K miles and a bad actuator.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
I have not done that since I purchased the car almost 3 years ago at 70k miles. I don't recall whether or not that was done by the prior owner - I did check the service history but mainly to see if anything major had popped up and just making sure routine maintenance was done at proper intervals. Does that lower the odds of brake actuator failing?
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Just got my car back from having actuator replaced under ZLG program warranty. For those interested, the only symptom I noticed (about 4 weeks ago) was a high-pitch scraping noise from the front as I would drive very slowly (5mph or less). I noticed it for the first time going through a bank drive thru and then heard it several other times as well. I just assumed my brakes were in need of replacement. Apparently that is one of a few signs of a bad actuator.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 217
From: Massachusetts
I've referred to the noise as a high pitched squawking sound when I press on the brakes hard. When I did a brake fluid reservoir flush and fill, the noise never came back. I decided from that point on to do the brake flush every time I did my oil change. Mine was a 2008 LS460 with 105,000 btw. It has a new owner as of Sept 2019 
I believe the brake fluid brakes down to a point and may trigger the warning code. Once the code is activated it cannot be cleared. Kind of like the Mercedes SBC brake warning, but I've heard there is a device you can buy to delay that warning
I believe the brake fluid brakes down to a point and may trigger the warning code. Once the code is activated it cannot be cleared. Kind of like the Mercedes SBC brake warning, but I've heard there is a device you can buy to delay that warning
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 8
From: Alabama
Ok-here is my current situation. 2011 460 RWD with a replaced brake actuator in 2018. I have the check VSC and brake malfunction lights that come off and on sometimes daily, sometimes every few days. this back/forth has lasted 2-3 months. Even with lights on, do not notice brakes acting any different. i cant figure out what actual problem is. any advice??
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 694
Likes: 78
From: Illinois
9th Gear
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: NC
Check VSC system warning:
Scangauge cannot read these error codes, nor reset this light.
It would appear that regen braking, traction control, and posibly some anti rollover control is dissabled if this warning light is on. So it is both fuel inneficient and possibly dangerous to drive with this light on.
First find the obd computer plug, under the dash, near your left knee, where your scanguage plugs in.
Turn car OFF.
Use a paper clip or wire to jump TC to CG.
TC is on the top shorter row, 4th pin starting from left
CG is bottom longer row, 5th pin starting from left
See diagram:
__/_@_@_@_TC_@_@_@_@_\
_/__@_@_@_@_CG_@_@_@__\
Note: I saw some posts when researcing this suggesting a jump between TS and CG. (TS is just to the left of TC ie 3rd pin). While this may/may not work on some Toyotas. On the HIHI this doesn't seem to do anything other than cause a Hybrid System Warning to be thrown. So don't.
Once the jumper is in place, To read your VSC error codes:
Once the jumper is in place, To reset you VSC error codes and lights:
You must complete the 8 presses within 5 seconds
As always, sometimes error lights get thrown for no reason, just clear them and don't worry. But sometimes they get thrown for a reason. Ignoring real problems in your car could be dangerous for you and/or the car.
Scangauge cannot read these error codes, nor reset this light.
It would appear that regen braking, traction control, and posibly some anti rollover control is dissabled if this warning light is on. So it is both fuel inneficient and possibly dangerous to drive with this light on.
First find the obd computer plug, under the dash, near your left knee, where your scanguage plugs in.
Turn car OFF.
Use a paper clip or wire to jump TC to CG.
TC is on the top shorter row, 4th pin starting from left
CG is bottom longer row, 5th pin starting from left
See diagram:
__/_@_@_@_TC_@_@_@_@_\
_/__@_@_@_@_CG_@_@_@__\
Note: I saw some posts when researcing this suggesting a jump between TS and CG. (TS is just to the left of TC ie 3rd pin). While this may/may not work on some Toyotas. On the HIHI this doesn't seem to do anything other than cause a Hybrid System Warning to be thrown. So don't.
Once the jumper is in place, To read your VSC error codes:
- Turn car to ON, you should see the message "VSC DIAG".It will read "VSC DIAG OK" if there are no codes.
- Brake warning lights will go off for 4s, then start to flash. Count the flashes, these are the error codes that caused the light to come on. They may be real, and something may need to be fixed. If the car really is broken, just resetting the light won’t do much, as it will soon trip again.
Once the jumper is in place, To reset you VSC error codes and lights:
- turn car on.
- Press the bakes (enough to make the tail lights come on, not all they way) and release 8 times. Once you have done it enough times the display will change to "VSC DIAG OK"
You must complete the 8 presses within 5 seconds
As always, sometimes error lights get thrown for no reason, just clear them and don't worry. But sometimes they get thrown for a reason. Ignoring real problems in your car could be dangerous for you and/or the car.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post11819534
The only thing I would say is to use the diagram to verify which pin to jump. My obd port seems oriented opposite of the left/right instructions so I used the diagram to figure out which one is longer vs shorter
Thanks so much for the detailed instructions! 😊😊😊
I thought I was gonna have to visit the mechanic tomorrow
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