jeffste

First time poster. Never owned a Lexus. I assume this board has some diehards who will pick at my questions, so be it, it's not my first car forum.

So a guy way up in another state has an 02 RX300 I got interested in. Minor issues, but low miles, 120k, and he took care of it.

He mentioned in a phone call he's got a CEL that has plagued him for 30k. Also claims lots of Lexus's in his neighborhood have the same "permanent" lights. Whatever.

I did as much research as I could, not being able to pull the DTCs.

History is it came on around 90, no drivability issues, he took it in, thinks he remembers they told him it was some kind of "Airflow" code. That wasn't much help. He didn't have the records and I don't want to chase the Lexus lot people for this.

I looked around, and it seems that generation was throwing p0446s, but no one could find the evap issue. Is that right? Which he could have thought was the same as "airflow," again, whatever, he's an older gentleman.

So this guy went in, they did some parts cannon swap, soon enough the light comes back on. Then he lets them under it again, same result. He asked what next, then that got told it was (do not ask me how the jump was made) a transmission issue.

**I saw on another board someone who had a similar experience, had the tranny swap done, but he never came back on to say if it was a fix.

Finally, sick of Lexus service and sure it is not his transmission, he takes it to an electrical diagnostic shop (they do have a good rep) and they told him just to drive it. That baffles me, but it's what he said they told him. Just live with it.

I have no idea what other numbers his ECM puts out right now, would love to know that, but I am where I am.

So... he's been driving it that way for 30k. I saw enough of these mystery CEL/no drivability issues on random boards, so I called Lexus, looked for service bulletins, nothing led me to think anyone has narrowed down what the common thing possibly could be. If there even is a common thing I am looking for.

You guys are the ones turning most of the wrenches on those 300s. I told the guy I probably wouldn't be driving up to see it, but if I found out anything, I'd let him know.

(So you know, if I was over on the Bimmer board, I'd get 3 snarky answers in a row telling me I don't know my *** from a hole in the ground, then some guy would throw out a 5-word answer that settles it. It's pretty rough over there sometimes, can't wait to see how this thread goes.)

THANK YOU for your time. Seriously, thanks.

JAB

That code sounds familiar. My 1999 RX300 threw such a code many years ago and I ended up replacing some vacuum solenoid in the charcoal canister assembly under the rear of the car. However, the problem could also have been rotten vacuum rubber hoses which looked suspect and which I also replaced, so I can't say with confidence which repair was the solution. In any event, the problem never returned.

I do recall learning that this vacuum solenoid was only a replaceable unit on the 1999 and 2000 (maybe also 2001); thereafter the canister was changed somehow. Of course Lexus did not make that solenoid available; I had to find the equivalent Toyota part.

Good luck.

carguy07

You really need to know what the code(s) are before giving this any thought at all.

jeffste

Yeah but it will keep my brain spinning until it gets distracted by something else. Literally, what ECM code could you ignore for 30k and have no escalating issue? And he's in VA, which I think is a tight state for inspections, right? We bought a 525 up there once and they were failing people for nothing. And the other thing, is it fixable.

salimshah

All it takes is a drive to auto zone or equivalent. Lot of places read the code for free and the auto shops give you a print out of "suggested" replacement part.

Personally I would not buy a vehicle with a CEL on specially which is not local.


Salim

maxSteel

There are a number of codes that do not trigger "limp mode". The car will drive, but there could be side effects like high emissions, bad gas mileage, cat fouling, speedometer not working, etc. But any code would fail an emissions test.

If he's taken it to a shop he should have asked what the codes were. Just tell him to have them read. No reason for all this speculation.

carguy07

Rear O2 sensor can throw a code and not effect driveability at all. The same is true for some of the evap codes.

jeffste

Sure but for 30k? Thanks again, gonna let that one go, too bad, it's a nice old specimen.

salimshah

Be patient. There are plenty of running RX out there, you are bound to find one.

Salim

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

The car won't pass a NC inspection with a CEL on. Sounds fishy. Run away!