Hello to all-I could really use some input. I have a 2004 RX 330 140k miles : and did a vey dumb thing this week. In trying to jump my car, I switched the jumper cables (plus/minus red/black NOT marked on my battery) and the car smoked a lot. Disconnected immediately but the damage was done. I am sick about this. Dash board lit up with error lights and car would start but not go.

They changed a fuse and the car now runs but the 2/3 shifting slips terribly. Clearly something is very wrong. My trusted mechanic (not lexus dealer) is certain I need a new ECM Electronic Control Module. Any idea how much this is going to cost? Could I put a used one in there?

On another note, I have a friend who is an engineer at Honda and does mechanic work on the side. I need new brakes and spark plugs. These see like something that a DIY person could do. I could save a bunch by having him do this work. Do you see any major concerns with this?

Thanks. I am overloaded with stress over this. Any insight is appreciated.

 

I wouldn't go by thinking it's the ECM, throwing money at it ($340) and then finding out it's not. Really the vehicle needs to have Lexus look at it and find out what the damage is and how much it will cost to fix. You can always pay the diagnosis and refuse the repair.

 

I think the diagnosis fee at Lexus is something like $160, needless to say, that's the route I would take.
You do not want to turn the car into a money pit.

 

thanks very much. great advice . it's at the dealership now. !

 

Please post back and tell us what Lexus found out.

 

No such thing as a diagnosis fee. its simply straight time. if it takes them an hour to diagnos, then thats what youll pay, if it takes them a day, youll pay that.

just cuz its the dealer, doesnt mean itll be the best diagnosis, try and get there top guy to look at (if the work is handed out properly he should get it)

you could also have numerous problems. you could replace the ECM, which fixes a few things, then there might be more.

either way, sounds like its expensive. would have been cheaper to you tube how to jump a car before you tried.

and your battery is labelled. the larger terminal is the positive, it also has the red lead going to it.

 

[QUOTE=kiwi;8943011]

either way, sounds like its expensive. would have been cheaper to you tube how to jump a car before you tried.

QUOTE]

Thanks Kiwi for stating the obvious. my battery was either not labeled to begin with or it's so old the letters/red wore off. There are no red wires, or other defining factors. I learned too late that it's always the bigger one. Of course, I wish I would have googled it first. I had jumped it before and thought I knew what I was doing.

At any rate, I really appreciate the help from others. Taking it to Lexus was absolutely the right thing and they believe it was a programming issue and that they have it fixed for the 1 hour diagnostic fee. YEA!!! I asked if they think other electrical things might be coming down the pike and he seemed to think not. Let's hope so.

Thanks again!

 

Congrats on an easy fix and thanks for posting back with your resolution!