I haven't even seen tuners break into these ECU's. To do performance tunes.

 

Then, I found what I am here for...

 

You've just peaked my interested. I am eagerly waiting to hear your results.

 

Sorry, was boggled with research, I'm talking to tuner guys and ECU specialists, I plan on finding a suitable replacement for the ECU. This will take some time though...

EDIT #1 - Has anyone used The Raizin performance voltage stabilizier ? If so, How did that help/hurt your SC430?

EDIT #2 - What about Jet Performance?

 

I drive in power mode all the time, usually with stability control off. I have to do the key ECU reset about every other week. I could do it every day! I do 75% of my driving in pretty heavy traffic that doesn't move very fast. My wife's Saturn Vue has better throttle response!

 

I do not have any experience with either of those, but I would suggest that if anyone is planning to add and performance upgrades to the car, they might want to do it before sending their ECU and paying the $400 to JET. You will need to send them a pretty complete set of datalogging characteristics that they use to optimize the tune.

If you sent them that information from the stock system, you would likely need to send it in again after adding other upgrades. It sounds like they pull the chip and program it and doesn't make the module user programmable.

 

Balr14, did you ever have the struts, steering wheel switches or power issue fixed on your car?

 

I have not fixed things, yet. I have seen enough posts in this forum that suggest taking the car some place other than a Lexus dealer would be considerably less expensive. Unfortunately, I don't know of a good place around Milwaukee. So, I'm kind of stuck with indecision as I don't want to make an expensive mistake, by taking the car to somebody who doesn't know what they are doing. On the other hand, the Lexus dealer does good work, but robs you blind. $2000 for rear struts!!!!

I am also looking seriously at a Mercedes SLK55 AMG and trying to decide if it would be worth fixing the 430 or trading it in.

 

Most of those problems are very odd for a low mileage SC but the extreme cold could have something to do with it.
As you have read, these cars are usually very reliable and last a very long time...for what it is worth, I almost purchased an MB SL hardtop convertible, but when I did my research I had to move on.

If you decide to sell, let me know how much you are asking. I wil be up your way this summer to visit relatives.

 

check the MAF (Mass air flow) sensor and clean out. Also look for cracks/tear on the air intake hose. Mine was finally resolved after cleaning out the dirty sensor. hope this helps. Thanks

 

Dude this thread is from 2016... And the problem was already identified.
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I'm glad this came up again, because I was perplexed by the same problem four years ago when I bought my 2008. I have trained myself to hit the PWR switch every time I want to stomp on it. Perhaps the issue has gone away since I routinely drive it like I stole it. I'll have to experiment with hard acceleration without using the PWR button, to see if the issue has subsided. If so, I'll try the ECU reset.

I always assumed the issue was a granny function in the ECU to prevent hard downshifts. It was disconcerting the first few times it happened as it can be dangerous!

 

I do the reset every 6 months

 

Post is like 4 years old

 

Good information ages like a fine wine!