I while back i asked is there a way to do maintainence on the smog sensor because i noticed mine was reacting a bit sluggish when it came to switching from in outside air to inside air. One member gave helpful info on the location of this sensor so i investigated and did so maitainence of my own. Its surely not on the scale of replacing the timing belt or even brakes but its something i wanted to share anyway.

Pic 1pen hood to located sensor next to the pass. side horn in front of radiator and remove the 10mm bolt.
Pic 2: using a pry tool, pry open the sensor by way of three locking tabs on sides.
Pic 3:inspect layout and condition of the sensor in order to reassemble( its not rocket science).
Pic 4:Seperate filter from holder/pcb cover.
Pic 5:Clean filter or replace with new one of some type(not sure if available separately).
Pic 6: Separate filter holder/pcb cover in order to clean it and the remaining areas on the housing if prefered.
Pic 7: Reverse the instructions to reassemble.

This solved my sluggish isssue with the auto smog function. Works as advertised now.

 

Pics 6 & 7.

 

Great post, I'm sure mine can use some attention. I will be adding this to our FAQ thread. Thanks!

 

nice write up. i'll def do this when it gets warmer out

 

Awesome! well put.

 

Great job!

Looks like I need to take a look at mine as well.

 

Thanks fellas. Anytime! I know its not a major area of concern but it might help someone if they experience the same symptoms i had.

 

Very nice work. Thanks for taking the pics and sharing this info with the forum.

 

Slvr Surfer .....what do u mean by "sluggish" when switching from inside to outside air???

 

so kewl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I think he means that it was not detecting outside air as fast as one would expect in order to be a worthwhile feature. Like if he was behind a bus and it was spewing exaust fumes at the front of his car, it probably took a considerable amount of time before the air circ. would switch to inside only. I will check mine out to this spring. Great write up!

 

I will also check mine out this spring. Thanks for the write-up and pics!

 

Exactly! Before i would get a lung full of dump truck exhaust before the darn thing would switch to recirculating air. By the time it switched, the truck would've been gone and i'd be feeling woozy from the high! Gonna have to look into see if they sell little filters for the sensor or would you just have to buy a whole new one. Knowing Lexus, you'll probably have to buy it together and will cost a million bucks although you probably can just cut a piece from another type of filter imo. Thanks to all the responses. Just doin my part for the club!

 

Slvr surfr: I am glad that you were able to use my hint to further contribute to this board. That is what makes CL even better, and I thank you for your great post.

 

Excellent write up. All this time I thought the sensor would have been in the air intake housing, but it being that small sensor, I can definitely see that thing jamming up and causing slow reading.

I'll have to make note of this when my sensor starts going cooky.

Thanks a lot for this.