Hey folks, looking at buying an 08 with some steering issues. Looked at the car the other day and it's got a few codes
C0200: Bad front-right ABS wheel speed sensor
B2415: Bad vehicle speed sensor (I think this is the AFS mad about the ABS sensor)
C1555: Welding failure of motor relay (I assume this means I've got a bad EPS computer?)

I'm not super worried about fixing any of the above, but when I checked the car out and wanted to try the 'wiggle the steering wheel while you start it' trick to see if that would free up the steering, this happened...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KaEW2Knyf9uVSdx9A

Soo it would seem there's a stripped, or loose, linkage somewhere along the shaft that goes down to the rack. Anybody have any experience replacing the intermediate shaft, or any of the joints along the way down, or have another idea of wtf I'm dealing with here?

Thanks!!

 

Loolol. Run. RUN. After running google 'vgrs'.

 

Where is the VGRS unit located? Is it part of the steering column or down by the rack?

Under the dash I was able to see the shaft turning with the wheel up by the steering column, but it was not turning down by the firewall.
My assumption was one of the joints around the intermediate shaft is stripped, loose, or was loosened by the shop doing a garbage job trying to "fix" things before they gave up.

I know I'd be buying a project, just trying to determine how much of a project.

 

Lots of respect for wanting to buy a project car. Boykie has massive amounts of repair experience with Lexus, his advice is golden. Do you have Techstream software and cable for Lexus computerized systems? Are you really good with wiring problems? Are you familiar with Lexus systems? There are other Ls460s for sale without this issue that would be better to buy. Electrical problems can be very time consuming and many parts for Lexus are quite expensive. This system is all electric, not mechanical. Plus, a shop has been into it and according to you, likely made things worse. This makes me think this is a complex issue. Best of luck.

 

It's just there's one thing potentially even more expensive than ABS unit. It's steering rack and ALL related components. I always refuse any work on these. I'm not saying it can't be salvaged, I'm saying that it _MIGHT BE_ a very expensive and non-trivial repair.
VGRS unit is mounted on the rack, just as info.

 

Look at steering rack boots. If torn, water gets in and corrodes the electrical system. Refurbished rack $1200. New EPS module $1100. Then there's the complication if there's air suspension. Lot's of variables to turn it into long and expensive repair. Your assumptions of loose linkage and computer module may be wrong or only partly correct. No way anyone can diagnose and tell you how big of a job you're looking at via this forum. Let us know what you find and decide. We want to see you make a good decision that's right for you and you level of knowledge.

 

Good luck lol! If that's a VGRS or rack failure you are looking at $3000 in parts pending what's wrong plus labor. It's critical you never let the rack boots degrade on these

 

Fair. With the VGRS on the rack, then I would assume the problem from the video isn't attributed to that. Since I can see the steering shaft isn't moving down by the firewall.
I'm not too scared of the idea of replacing the rack if it came to that, unless it's a much harder job than I'm imagining. Honestly the steering column work looks like more of a ***** than the rack.

The idea is to purchase for <$3500 which should leave me a ton of room to spend on repairs before getting anywhere close to the $8-10k the cars worth fully sorted.

 

Will do. It doesn't have air suspension so that's a win.

 

It would be all fine dandy and upbeat if no C1555. But there is C1555...

 

OK then, you've asked and several knowledgeable members have given you their opinions. While we care about new members here, it's your choice. Please do keep us posted as to how this goes for you so we can learn too. Good luck.

 

Am I missing something besides this being a potential rack and/or EPS computer replacement?

Are the rack replacements just tremendously more difficult on these than other cars? Looks like there's plenty of used racks out there in the $700 range and ECMs <$100 so the cost isn't a problem...

 

Ended up negotiating it down to $3000 so had it towed home today.
Started getting into things and made a few finds.

1) The problem from the video was in fact just a loosened bolt on the steering shaft, so that's fixed!

2) It appears the oil filter housing is leaking oil directly onto the power steering rack.
So tonight I decided to unplug all the connections at the rack and the EPSM and clean the connections hoping maybe some oil was disrupting the connections, no dice.

3) The front-right ABS sensor is completely broken off at the hub so that will definitely need to be replaced. Anybody have any concerns about going with a non-OE brand replacement here?

4) Still getting the C1555 code and also noticed my scanner gave a "failed to communicate" error when trying to connect with the VGRS system. Does that assist in any way determining if I should be focusing on the module or the rack itself?

Is there a wiring diagram out there for the EPSM so I can check it's getting power and check continuity of everything before I order a replacement module?

 

In a general, Chinese parts with electronic components can be a problem because they frequently don't communicate well with cpu on car. Lots of counterfeit stuff too. Buy from a large supplier. Buying used parts with electronics in them is a crap shoot for Lexus. We here are not snobby elitists, buying only new Lexus parts out of status. Do some searching here or use google, then make your own decision. Suggest you find some service manuals online for your repairs. Also need Techstream software for your PC to program replacement parts to the cpu. It will be necessary. Only high end scan tools will be able to read advanced Lexus systems.

 

So I have an Xtool P700 that's at least fancy enough to scan like 52 different modules on the car, down to the seat controls, and do the steering calibration. So I would assume it'd be advanced enough to connect with the VGRS, but maybe not.

Will I need techstream for anything other than the steering calibration process, which I can do with my Xtool?