Lexus SC430 :: Car Wouldn't Start / Cranked Weakly When Stopped At Gas Station
2003 SC430 with ~140k miles. Friday night, stopped at a gas station and left the car running for about 15 minutes. Then stopped the engine and left the radio on for about 20 minutes. Then the car wouldn't start- cranked weakly, then began clicking. Jumped the car- took about five minutes before it would turn over again.
Then, after disconnecting the cables and running for only about a minute, it cranked strongly twice in the span of a minute. I found that strange, not believing that it had properly charged up that quickly. Drove to an auto parts store, asked them to check the battery and such. Battery said good, alternator said voltage regulator failure.
After about 10 minutes, went to drive off, not planning to stop until I got to my destination. The car wouldn't start again, same weak turning and then clicking (note- this after about a fifteen minute drive, as opposed to the first one minute of charging after which it started twice just fine!). So I was surprised that it wouldn't crank.
Then I drove it all weekend without a problem (5-6 stops and starts). Then Monday night after I parked it, I went back to check it and it didn't start (same weak turn, and then clicking). Tuesday morning, I tried twice and got weak turn & clicking, then it turned a little more strongly and started.
My guesses:
-don't think my battery is bad
-don't think my battery really was fully discharged and then suddenly recharged even though it has seemed that way, in such short time frames
-my alternator claims to be bad (voltage regulation)
-maybe I have some sort of loose connection on the backside of the battery? (the terminals look solid)
But I didn't shake or bump the car, or do anything for the cabling to be loose/bad Monday night, and then start Tuesday morning. But perhaps the very effort of trying to start the car is enough to shake a connection back together?
(I don't think this is at all related to my blower post- my fan seems to be kicking on quite frequently while I drive, still trying to sort that out).
Lexus SC430 :: Radio Cuts Off Randomly When Cranked Up High
If i have the radio volume up fairly high, it will keep cutting off for a few seconds then come back on. then cut off again etc....
I presume the amp is getting hot and causing this, am I right? And would I need another amp, or maybe there is a fan in the amp not working? Or am I not even close? Its pretty annoying when that good song comes on and it cuts out.
Its not the actual radio that cuts off, its the sound from the speakers.
Lexus SC430 :: 1992 - Won't Start And Make Click Noise When Key Is Turned?
My sc400 won't start it make a little click noise when I turn key the lights work but it don't crank how to fix for cheap??
View 2 RepliesLexus SC430 :: 2002 - Replaced ECU But Car Won't Start
I had to replace the ECU on my 2002 sc430. Although the original ECU was malfunctioningthe car started and was drivable (but the speedometer and odometer did not work, nor did the power steering). Following installing a used ECU, the car will now not start. I reset the ECU following the directions posted by others in this forum (both the gas pedal method and removing the fuses), but that has not fixed the problem. Do I need to have the dealer sync the key to the new ECU?
View 6 RepliesLexus SC430 :: 2002 - When Turn The Key All Dash Symbols Come On And Car Won't Start
The last couple of days when I started the car it didn't turn over immediately as it normally does. Now when I turn the key the dash symbols all come on; radio, lights, etc work fine. I hear a strange close sound like lite weight metal fluttering which continues as long as the key is turned to start. But nothing beyond that.
View 4 RepliesLexus SC430 :: Check Engine Light Turned On
My check engine light just turned on recently. Just hit 115K miles on my SC430 a few weeks ago. Is there a service that I'm missing? Running absolutely fine, oil change recently as well.
View 14 RepliesLexus SC430 :: Hissing Sound When Car Ignition Is Turned To On Position?
I have owned 2 SC and I notice both of the SC I have owned get a odd " hissing " sound, when the ignition is turned to the " On" position with the key located in the engine area, It will come on and then go off ...
Sometimes this " hissing " sound will come back on when driving and then off again ...
Hissing sound when the key is turned only to the "on" position?
Lexus SC430 :: Reservoir Turned Low To Empty After Replacing Fan Belt
I had the timing belt, idler pulleys, water pump and fan belt replaced by local Lexus dealer three weeks ago and noticed that the coolant reservoir was low to almost empty when I drove home after picking up the car from the dealer.
I thought mechanic has forgotten to fill up the reservoir so I filled the reservoir with Toyota red coolant. After two weeks, the reservoir is empty as I only drive about 200 miles since the service.
Is the head gasket leaking?
The coolant reservoir level was always full until the timing belt service.
Lexus SC430 :: Steering Wobble When Wheel Slightly Turned Above 40 MPH
2002 sc430 73k miles.
I have a slight steering wobble (not really shaking/vibration) at higher speeds and only when I turn the wheel to the left or right a little (maybe a 1/2 inch). If I am driving straight down the highway it is smooth at any speed 40-90mph no issues. If I move the wheel to the left or right I feel the the wobble in the wheel. If I go back and forth a little, constantly, with the wheel it continuously wobbles.
I had recently addressed some other vibration issues by installing new LCA #2, continental DWS tires, and had the front end aligned (front -.3L and -.5R for camber, Rear -1L and -1R camber, front and rear toe set to -.07, if I recall). I couldn't really remember if I felt this wobble before because the tires and LCA's needed to be done badly. I am not sure if I should replace the struts either since ride feels good.
My steering feels darn good and responsive at low speeds and does not wobble when turning the wheel slightly. I have purchased new oem steering rack bushings but have not installed them yet (purchased as a preventive maintenance part when i had some free time, before I discovered this issue).
I have read a few threads about alignment of the steering rack causing issues if it is not perfectly centered. Not sure if that would cause anything like this. Love driving the car but the wobble is rather annoying when i turn the wheel a little to change lanes at 75mph.
Lexus SC430 :: Auto-Leveling Warning Light Came On When Headlights Turned On
So, driving home from the meet & greet in DC yesterday and when I turned on the headlights, the auto-leveling light came on. It randomly came and went for a bit but was on continuously by the time we got home. Headlights work and are at the correct height. Lights cycle up/down when the key is turned. Other than the warning light, it appears to be working normally.
Of note, this was the first time using the lights after the airbag actuator recall last week. Not sure how it could be connected unless it is a dash connection issue. If not,how to isolate if or which sensor is causing the issue?
Lexus SC430 :: 2002 - Lag On Throttle
just bought a 2002 lexus sc430 the car is nice but i have been reading in regards to the throttle lag. Any resolution for this. I've read that the apexi or blitz trottle control is an option to work with the lag.
View 14 RepliesLexus SC430 :: 2002 - Vibration At 60 Mph?
I have 2002 SC430 with an annoying vibration through the seat/chassis at 60mph but she's smooth at 55 and slower and at 65+ mph ? Things I have tried so far ...
wheel balance
wheel alignment
2 rims rerolled that were out of round
bushes and suspension all checked
moved wheel positions front to back etc
Thinking now maybe driveshaft or uni joints ? or new tires but that's an expensive exercise !!
Lexus SC430 :: 2002 - Brake And ABS Lights Are On
My brake light and ABS lights appeared today on my '02 SC430. What this might mean and the solution?
View 4 RepliesLexus SC430 :: 2002 - Radio Antenna Did Not Go All The Way Down And Also Not Go Up
Noticed the antenna did not go all the way down. It will also not go up. When I turn the radio off the motor grinds for few seconds but the antenna does not go all the way down. Mast problems? Any links how to fix it?
View 14 RepliesLexus SC430 :: 2002 - Front End Is Squeaking
On my 2002 SC with 51K miles, the front end is squeaking. BTW, shocks are good...
View 6 RepliesLexus SC430 :: 2002 - VSC On And Off Lights Came On / No Code
My check engine light came on.. so I took it to express tires.. And they said that they need to replace my vacuum hoses cause it busted ... well when I saw the guy used the obd checker thing.. after checking the codes.. i saw that when u turned on the engine.. the vsc on and vcs off lights came on..
So I figured after he fixed the problem.. it will go off.. well after he got done.. fixing the problem.. I drove away.. after bout like 2min.. i had to turn around cause the vsc on and vsc off came on.. and I told the guy to check.. And he used his checker.. and there was no problem.. and the "check engine" light is not on anymore.. just the vsc on and vsc off!!
Could the checker.. messed it up??? the vsc off button.. only works when the key is turned on.. " not when the engine started but right before it.. when the power comes on" so the button is working correctly.. it just comes on.. when i start driving the car...
And no they did not check my tire pressure or do anything to the tires or the wheels.. it just turned on.. when he inserted the obd thing to check..
And yes I read the [URL] .....
Is it dangerous to be driving with the vsc and vsc off light on??
Lexus SC430 :: 2002 - Cannot Shift Out Of Park
I recently got into my 2002 SC430 and could not shift the car out of park. In addition, another symptom was that when I pressed the brake pedal, my rear brake lights would either come on momentarily and then turn off (looked like a strobe-light effect), OR the rear brake lights would not come on at all (the taillights, however, continued to function).
The only way to get around this issue was to use the manual override (by taking out the little plastic tab on the shifter and using a screw driver to press the hidden button, which would momentarily override and let me shift).
After much research, I found out that my Brake Switch/Sensor was failing (this is what tells the car's computer that you're pressing the brake pedal, and thus allowing you to shift out of Park). Unfortunately, I don't have the model number handy.
My non-Lexus mechanic charged me $100 (parts and labor) to replace the Brake Switch/Sensor. I'm not sure how much the actual part cost, but it couldn't have been much. It's a very scary feeling when you need to drive somewhere quick and you cannot shift out of Park.
Lexus SC430 :: 2002 - Won't Go Forward In Any Gear
I have a 2002 SC 430 with 68,000 miles on it. Having problems with the transmission? Today, I could not go forward in any gear...could go in reverse. I turned off the ignition and re-started the engine, then the car worked fine.
Tonight I went out and the car was fine. However, later had the same problem.
Lexus SC430 :: 2002 - Steering Is Floating
I just purchased a 2002 sc430 and the steering was nice and solid. It needed new tires, so I purchased them at tire kingdom. they told me I needed a steering flush (lexus did as well at my oil change) so I to0ld them to do the flush. When I got my car back, the steering was so flaty, I have to keep my hand on the wheel all the time, they gave me an upgraded tire, to the falken, felt a little smoother but still floaty. brought it to lexus, they said it was the tires. the rear needed 255 and front 245. they upgraded the tires again and I still have the floating steering wheel.
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