Hi gang;

About to pull trigger on a Gold color 2002 SC430 in immaculate shape in and out. I am having the PPI done in the next hour. I drove to see it in San Antonio this morning and do my own inspection. Overall the car is in great shape other than left map bulb not working, the seatbelt shoulder strap on the driver's seat is missing/torn and the antenna appears that the cord inside broke and it will not raise or lower(It does get clear signal for the radio even when fully collapsed). The car has 110K miles from a single owner. it appears it was garage kept and all the services done by Lexus of San Antonio. Price is 9K negotiated from $9,900 since it appears the timing belt change has not been done and I negotiated the price down for that amount which they agreed on. The PPI inspector will verify for me if it has been changed already or not. If not changed, I will get it done within a week of buying it this weekend.


Question:

There is a chirping noise in the cabin coming from what it sounds like a radar detector installed. I do not see a unit anywhere on the dash or rear view mirror. Does anyone have an idea where the unit could be hidden making all this noise? I want to deactivate it. The sounds it makes is heard around the driver's dash side either behind the gauges or below the steering wheel. Any suggestions as to where to look and how to remove it will be greatly appreciated. The dealer had no idea it was there till I test drove it. It makes sounds only around certain places/building as it depending on K or Y bands?????

Tia,

Ian B

 

......so does it make the sound as soon as you put it in gear ??? If it does, then it may be a warning chirp that the top isn't closed properly

 

Thanks for the response. No, its not a sound like that. Its a sound like when you have a radar detector and its triggered by a radar. The tone changes. it happened while the top was up.

By the way, both side mirrors look like they are tinted. Not sure if the liquid in them has gone bad or I was driving with the headlights on triggering that feature. Will test again with lights off.

Ian B

 

Update:

PPI done and car passed with flying colors and age and maintenance records match and reflect as correct. Gonna pick it up tomorrow. Inspector thinks the radar detector sound is not coming from the car but rather possibly the xm module installed or some aftermarket electronics. He looked under the steering wheel but, could not find anything. The cd player and tape deck or AM radio do not work but, that is ok as I will be replacing the radio with AA/AC deck as I need bluetooth for calls and streaming music.

As far as the timing belt that I wanted to know if replaced or not since not mentioned in the CARFAX or when I called Lexus of San Antonio as done, the could not tell but did noticed some scuff marks on those bolts that could be they were removed for that purpose. He recommended to have the top cover completely removed and the mechanic will be able to inspect the chain better and determine if done or not. If not done, I will replace it as the car has 110K miles now.

Thanks for all replies,

Ian B

 

Radar detector usually mounted facing front. Look under the hood, the front grill, you might find it there. The side mirrors are automatically tinted dark when triggered by the light from behind. Look for the sticker affixed somewhere on the hood if the TB has been changed. The SC uses belt, not chain.

 

Great info. Thanks, will check all tomorrow before picking car as well as do final inspection for delivery

Ian B

 

Join Lexus Drivers. Set up an account and you can plug in any Lexus VIN number and view the complete service history of the car as long as it was serviced at a Lexus dealership. You might be able to see if the TB/WP was changed on the SC.

https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers

Dennis

 

Found the radar detector as you said today when I did final inspection before picking it up. Found papers in the glove box about it and the installer. Went by their shop who is still in business since it was installed in 2001 and they showed me where the button was and turned it off. Forgot I already have a Lexus Driver account, entered the VIN but, no timing belt ever done. That will be my first "mod".

Thanks for the info.

Ian B

 

Thanks Dennis, forgot I already had an account from several Lexus in the past. Logged in and put the VIN number. Found the service records from Lexus but no timing belt ever done. Car had about 3 battery replacements, somehow all 4 rimes were bent at some point and guess that is why it has aftermarket rims. She was quoted $680.00 each. Yikes!!! Timing belt change will be done next week since I have 110K miles.

Ian B

 

Bought and picked up the car today. Drove it home from San Antonio to Austin and it purrs like a cat at 80mph.

 

Regarding your TB, if you take your SC to the dealer, cost will be somewhere around $1500. If you buy the Asin kits from Amazon then have it installed at independent shop, you will save some bucks. Remember to replace the water pump at the same time.

 

Thanks for the information. Will order tomorrow for install next week. Approximately, how many hours it takes for good mechanic to install it?

Ian B

 

while you are in there, have the mechanic replace everything he removes. Belts, hoses, thermostat, tensioner, etc.
do price comparisons but consider Rockauto.com or amazon

 

Most Indy shops seem to range in the $600 to $900 range. Try to find one that has SC430 experience or at least focuses on Lexus vehicles. Occasionally, you can find one that strictly focuses on Lexus that was started by former Lexus certified mechanics. (We have one or two here in the DFW area.)

 

Wow!

Thanks, DJWLDW!

Per your post here, I just joined Lexus Drivers.
I found out a whole host of stuff about my car I bought in 4/2017! Of course, this is only Lexus dealer transactions, but very interesting. This car was a traveler. I have the orig window sticker from Portland, OR. But it spent time in IL, WA and So CA.
The first time they had to replace the battery in my car? At the THIRTEEN mile mark! The third dealer battery rplcmnt was 1/2017.
Saw a few jump starts. Again, these are only dealership listed experiences.

I am on my fourth battery (none from a dealership as I have a longtime mechanic I like), but now use an AGM. And still use a tender, esp if it sits for 4+days.
What is odd: a 2009 battery was installed in the car when I bought it, which I promptly replaced. So someone stuck an old battery in the car?
If our cars could talk....