Strange electrical behavior after big storm, help LX570

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UCrazyKid

UCrazyKid

Joined
Aug 3, 2016
Threads
53
Messages
462
Location
Barrington, IL
So yesterday evening a crazy thunderstorm ripped through our town and beat us with sideways rain, wind, thunder and lightening. When we got in the car, there was a small amount of water in the front passenger's foot well on the Weather Tech mat (no water hiding soaked in the carpet). Maybe 2 cups worth. However, while driving home a "Check Tire Pressure System" message came on along with the TPMS light and the orange triangle. This morning the vehicle would not respond to the keyless entry remote, or to the door handle sensors. I opened the car with the back-up key and started it by placing the key remote to the start button and it started with out problem. While driving the navigation window was slow to respond to pressing the various buttons on the dash (not the on screen buttons) to climate control or to audio, etc. The volume knob was slow and delayed in chaining audio volume. The side view mirrors will not adjust/respond to commands from the adjustment switch in any position.
When it started up the TPMS light was not on, I adjusted my tire pressures and then "reset" the system with the button under the dash. All was fine for about 5 minutes and then the same warning message appeared that I say last night.

So, my questions: How did the water get in? I'm guessing I have clogged drains or the drains were overwhelmed by the deluge of water. Is it the moonroof or is it coming from the cowel area (where windshield meets engine compartment)? The windshield has never been replaced, so unlikely leaky windshield.
What computers are housed in the general area of the passenger dash, glovebox and knee bolster? Could there be moisture in there causing these weird behaviors? In the AM there was no condensation inside the vehicle windows, or a smell. I ran the AC on high for about an hour drive alternating different vent settings to try to dry out anything I could not see.

I have Techstream but have not put it on the vehicle yet to check for errors. Is there a way to restart or initialize the electronics in the dash? Should I disconnect the battery for 15 min?

Any thoughts or advice are welcomed. I would like to narrow down the problem quickly as if I have water damage of the electronics from an individual storm I want to claim it on my auto insurance as I know these electrical gremlins can often get very expensive. I'm glad it happened while it was parked on flat ground in a public parking lot and not in some strange place at my house or under a tree or something that could be perceived as unusual circumstance that I should have avoided...

Thanks!
Andy
 
I had a little water collect on my mat on the passenger side, closer to the center dash vs. the door. It was the drain on the passenger side of the sunroof as when I tried to snake them I found the passenger side was blocked about a third of the way in with something. I was planning on also taking the cowl apart but since snaking the sunroof drain I have had no more water on the mat. I never had any of the electrical issues but it seem you had a lot more water intrusion. Would leave it open with a big fan in the footwell to get it all dry.
 
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@Ali FJ80 , what did you snake the drain with?
 
Perfect! I was thinking that might do the trick. Thanks. I'm hoping it is that simple!
 
I cleaned the drains and the sunroof seals. I conditioned the rubber seals and waxed the painted surfaces of the roof that mate with the seals. Hopefully the water will stay out.

However I still have weird electrical behaviors. Mirrors will not adjust, the indicator led for the passenger seat ventilation is blinking when in the off position. And TPMS is still giving a warning.

I’m beginning to think the TPMS is unrelated and just coincidental that a battery in one of the wheels has died. My Techstream won’t read the TPMS, it’s giving an error. When I read the seat a/c no errors came up.
 
Do you have any other ways to pull codes? Weird behavior like this could be lightning strike damage as well.
 
UCrazyKid said:
I cleaned the drains and the sunroof seals. I conditioned the rubber seals and waxed the painted surfaces of the roof that mate with the seals. Hopefully the water will stay out.

However I still have weird electrical behaviors. Mirrors will not adjust, the indicator led for the passenger seat ventilation is blinking when in the off position. And TPMS is still giving a warning.

I’m beginning to think the TPMS is unrelated and just coincidental that a battery in one of the wheels has died. My Techstream won’t read the TPMS, it’s giving an error. When I read the seat a/c no errors came up.
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There are electrical panels on the kick panel under the glove box that caused me problems with corrosion. I went to the auto electric guy and he cleaned everything up and the gremlins moved on.
 
I’ve got fans on it to dry it out and I’ve e been in there with compressed air. If things don’t start to clear up I’m going to call my insurance company tomorrow as I think this is going to add up quickly.
 
Sound like a lightning strike. Report it immediately to your insurance carrier. Do not delay.
 
I'd be suspicious of water damage from clogged drains (or bad windshield seal) dripping water onto/into an electrical panel or junction box. Lightning would probably have to strike the truck directly to cause electrical issues and a direct strike would likely leave physical damage too. Nearby strikes (even very close) are not likely to make it into the truck's electrical system. But, lightning is weird and has a mind of it's own, so anything is possible. I would just rule out water damage first.
 
Update, I’ve had fans in the passenger footwell for 24 hours now. I disassembled the panels down there to allow air to circulate. The weather has been in the 90’s. It is dried out now and everything weird has resolved its self.

Thanks for all the advice. I “rodded” the drains with string trimmer line and blasted the drains with the air compressor. Then I cleaned and dressed all the rubber seals to keep them pliable. Last I waxed the painted surfaces that meet with the seals. Fingers crossed it doesn’t happen again, but it was a bit of a freak storm.
 
For future reference.. Be careful blasting the drains with compressed air. They aren't held on to the sunroof drain pan very positively and can pop off. That is a LOT of trouble to repair if it happens.

Generally snaking them to loosen obstructions then flushing with a good amount of water will carry everything down.
 
bloc said:
For future reference.. Be careful blasting the drains with compressed air. They aren't held on to the sunroof drain pan very positively and can pop off. That is a LOT of trouble to repair if it happens.

Generally snaking them to loosen obstructions then flushing with a good amount of water will carry everything down.
Click to expand...
We had the same problem on our 2010 LX 570. Happened after a car wash. Issues with windows not rolling down, etc. Lexus dealership pulled the panels and cleaned off the couple of areas where moisture caused the short. They couldn’t figure out why. Got the vehicle back. Looked and the drivers side sunroof drain was clogged. Cleared it out. Gremlins gone.....
 
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