My sister purchased this awhile back, didn't notice that the windshield reservoir was completely gone, looks like they even snipped the wires instead of just unplugging the connector. Now that she's moved to another state, she's given me the car and I'm just trying to do any cheap repairs I can. I was wondering if anyone could think of any possible reasons on why the previous owner completely removed the windshield reservoir tank. It would suck if I ended up buying another and it didn't work.

 

It blocks the transmission fluid cooler, that was one reason I took my reservoir out.

 

 

Thanks, is it because it overheats or something when towing?

 

I think it was just a poor design by Lexus in my humble opinion. The U140 transmission is not a strong point with these vehicles (basically transplanted from the Camry), thus I like to give it all the help I can by keeping the fluid cooler unblocked.

 

Are you doing something else to keep your windows clean or it hasn't really been a problem?

 

It hasn't been a problem since I removed the reservoir over 10 years ago.

 

The reservoir has the pump for the front and the back [piping]. It also has sensor for the low fluid. Some must have jury rigged the sensor as it would have turned on a light in the instrument cluster.

I lightly wax my glasses most of the stuff just glides off. In many years, I have only had two occasion when I needed the reservoir to rinse off the grime. Most of the times I use the reservoir to wash off the glass when sun was at a certain angle to light up the dried up sap from the trees [I do wash my vehicles roughly twice a month].

Salim

 

OP, find one and put it back in. People tow and tow with them, without it being removed. We towed trailer across most of the country when we moved, mountains and all that. A little bit of better air flow - and mud and dust, flying onto that radiator now - not going to do much better, than regular ATF changes.
You can splice existing wiring for pump and sensor. They have cute little plastic clamps that do the job in heartbeat.
As I GUARANTEE you that, now that you do not have it - you WILL need it. You never know, when a vehicle in front of you will splash you with dirty water or mud.