Thoughts on check engine light
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 3
From: colorado
Thoughts on check engine light
Today after a short 10 mile drive, the Check Engine, VCS, and Traction Control light were all lit on dash. I got the code P0355 Ignition coil E primary/secondary circuit. This says the 5th coil or plug triggered this (its the rear cylinder closest to the driver). The car runs great. Could not detect a problem with the way the car ran. I stop and started the engine a few times and the last time I restarted the engine, the lights where all off like normal. I then went for a 40 mile drive, and the lights stayed off. 141,500 miles on the car. I am the second owner and I purchased it with 140,000 miles on it from a dealer so I do not know if the coils or plugs have been replace. I pulled the front three plugs out and they all looked fine .Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 231
Likes: 54
From: CA
All the posts i have read i bet you plugs have never been changed, now would be a good time to replace them along with the three coils under the manifold go with Denso coils, then your done with it plus you will have spare good used two coils if you have problem with the front ones, i know its a pain in the **** to do this job, i know my spark plugs will be next 110,200 miles
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 617
Likes: 276
From: Texas
+1 on replace plugs and rear coils. You can ignore the VSC and TC warning lights, those get triggered because of the CEL. FWIW, if you do replace the plugs, and have access to a compression tester gauge, $40 or so, run that while you have the plugs out, just to cover the bases..
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 3
From: colorado
That is what I was wondering why the lights just went out. I do not have time to do the job right now, so maybe it resolved it self for now. Is it possible that it just threw the code be cause of a simple misfire and is OK. It has run perfectly since the code happened.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,993
Likes: 608
From: The Jet City
Since your rx has over 100K, more then likely the plugs have been changed by the PO, since you checked the bank 2 plugs.....I'd throw a bottle of injector cleaner, such as Techron or similar to clean the injectors as well as the combustion chamber.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 438
Likes: 189
From: MA
If you haven't done so already or you're not yet aware, you can go to the Lexus site, driverslogin.com, put in your VIN and it will show all the dealer service records.
Carfax, the pay site, might have a more complete list. But the Lexus records are free.
Carfax, the pay site, might have a more complete list. But the Lexus records are free.
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Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 3
From: colorado
I do use regular gas in it. I asked the dealer about that when I purchase the car and they said it was ok to use regular in it even though it says premium on the gas door. I have put over 1,500 miles on it, and this was the first time the lights came on and then went off shortly have that. I try to use the same gas station except when on a trip. I purchased some Lucas fuel injector cleaner for it today and will try that out per Felix's idea. I am going to do about a 250 mile trip tomorrow and I will see what happens. thanks for all the thoughts on this.
Last edited by jcbikes; Jun 14, 2021 at 10:09 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 999
Likes: 228
From: NM
I do use regular gas in it. I asked the dealer about that when I purchase the car and they said it was ok to use regular in it even though it says premium on the gas door. I have put over 1,500 miles on it, and this was the first time the lights came on and then went off shortly have that. I try to use the same gas station except when on a trip. I purchased some Lucas fuel injector cleaner for it today and will try that out per Felix's idea. I am going to do about a 250 mile trip tomorrow and I will see what happens. thanks for all the thoughts on this.