Haven't been on the forum in a while but after an exhaustive search for a LC 200 I recently picked up what I thought was a unicorn find. A 2008 LX 570, one owner, no accidents, lifetime Dallas car, 100% serviced at the Lexus dealership with all service records and 125k on the ODO - $23k. Had it delivered from the Toyota dealership in Dallas to MN sight unseen via uship.
Generally things were good. Undercarriage is 100% rust free, body is in excellent shape, interior is a little worn from 128k miles with kids (and common problems like peeling wood trim), but generally solid. Upon arrival found the AHC only worked intermittently and PS seat warmer not working. After a few rides a squeeking noise developed - maybe belt, maybe pully. Then one day it died at a gas station and wouldn't start. ACC but no start. I've always done my own work, but for whatever reason (maybe inspired by the complete dealer service history) I took it to the Lexus dealer. Bad choice.
Short work of a long story - was at the dealer for 22 days. I told them it wouldn't start, had a squeek and that the AHC wasn't always working. Dealership misdiagnosed the issue as an alternator - replaced that, belt and idler for $2,700. I expressed my disbelief at the diagnosis, but they were adamant. Okay... Picked up the car, drove 1 block across the street to the parts counter for a wiper arm cap it was missing. Dead. Wont start. Walk in the service area to report my findings - manager pull up the work order and lo and behold they never recorded the non-starting issue as the core problem for why it was there (???). So, they told me they'd make it right. Well, making it right turned into another $1,400 or so out of my pocket to get the starter replaced. They also told me there's nothing wrong with the AHC. Picked it up a second time. Start the car, AHC warning on the display with the "!" warning. This is new. I shook my head and said, no I'm not going through this again and drove off. Made it a couple miles and all the warning lights came on. 4Lo, traction, engine, "!". Dropped it off a third time. They contacted me said my bank 2 O2 sensor 2 was bad and that it would be another $1,700. I asked them if they removed that section of exhaust to replace the starter. 2 days without a reply or any contact and they said they had. I told them I didn't think I should have to pay. They ended up covering it under the agreement that I leave no review for my service. Shady. So, supposedly they fix it (maybe they did, maybe not, I don't know). I pick it up about 4 days later, drive it for 100 miles and all the lights came back on again... Incidentally, the AHC does in fact work every time now, but now the front DS sinks shortly after achieving any given position.
So, I have two problems. This christmas tree of warning lights I need to properly diagnose, and the problem with my AHC. On the AHC front, where I'm looking for help from the forum, when you move the car to the neutral setting or high setting, it goes there, but within about 30 seconds to a minute drops down maybe an inch or two suddenly leaving one corner lower than the rest. Is this a known issue? Any thoughts on what it could be?
Generally things were good. Undercarriage is 100% rust free, body is in excellent shape, interior is a little worn from 128k miles with kids (and common problems like peeling wood trim), but generally solid. Upon arrival found the AHC only worked intermittently and PS seat warmer not working. After a few rides a squeeking noise developed - maybe belt, maybe pully. Then one day it died at a gas station and wouldn't start. ACC but no start. I've always done my own work, but for whatever reason (maybe inspired by the complete dealer service history) I took it to the Lexus dealer. Bad choice.
Short work of a long story - was at the dealer for 22 days. I told them it wouldn't start, had a squeek and that the AHC wasn't always working. Dealership misdiagnosed the issue as an alternator - replaced that, belt and idler for $2,700. I expressed my disbelief at the diagnosis, but they were adamant. Okay... Picked up the car, drove 1 block across the street to the parts counter for a wiper arm cap it was missing. Dead. Wont start. Walk in the service area to report my findings - manager pull up the work order and lo and behold they never recorded the non-starting issue as the core problem for why it was there (???). So, they told me they'd make it right. Well, making it right turned into another $1,400 or so out of my pocket to get the starter replaced. They also told me there's nothing wrong with the AHC. Picked it up a second time. Start the car, AHC warning on the display with the "!" warning. This is new. I shook my head and said, no I'm not going through this again and drove off. Made it a couple miles and all the warning lights came on. 4Lo, traction, engine, "!". Dropped it off a third time. They contacted me said my bank 2 O2 sensor 2 was bad and that it would be another $1,700. I asked them if they removed that section of exhaust to replace the starter. 2 days without a reply or any contact and they said they had. I told them I didn't think I should have to pay. They ended up covering it under the agreement that I leave no review for my service. Shady. So, supposedly they fix it (maybe they did, maybe not, I don't know). I pick it up about 4 days later, drive it for 100 miles and all the lights came back on again... Incidentally, the AHC does in fact work every time now, but now the front DS sinks shortly after achieving any given position.
So, I have two problems. This christmas tree of warning lights I need to properly diagnose, and the problem with my AHC. On the AHC front, where I'm looking for help from the forum, when you move the car to the neutral setting or high setting, it goes there, but within about 30 seconds to a minute drops down maybe an inch or two suddenly leaving one corner lower than the rest. Is this a known issue? Any thoughts on what it could be?
