stumped...

[EdsCruisin]

I haven't checked the exact date of manufacture, but being a 2000, it looked like Christmas on the dash when the VSC, TRAC and Check Engine lights came on. Even though I was able to restart and drive it normally to the dealer, all the lights stayed on. My mileage was around 72K.

Basically, the pedal is connected to the throttle body by cable, but once there it is converted to electronics in the APPS. When the electronics are not working correctly the computer locks out other functions, so I would not be surprised if the ECT is not functioning.

 

[Val678]

Hey,

So Longo Lexus said it was the accelrator pedal postion sensor but they are going to charge me $1200.00 for it!

I think they jacked the price up on that if I'm not wrong!

LOL

He also said " there where two codes that came up."

Not sure if there is one or more parts!

 

[NMuzj100]

If I had to work the day after Christmas I'd charge double too.

Thoughts ...

1. Are they replacing the TPS (thottle position sensor) and APPS (accelrator pedal position sensor) ?
2. Rolling some other extras in like a throttle body cleaning, new air filter ?
3. Someone has to pay for the loaners the pink panty crowd always raves about ?

 

[Val678]

If I had to work the day after Christmas I'd charge double too.

Thoughts ...

1. Are they replacing the TPS and APPS ?
2. Rolling some other extras in like a throttle body cleaning, new air filter ?
3. Someone has to pay for the loaners the pink panty crowd always raves about ?

Yeah,

When I came in I saw a RX Loaner on the Tow Bed so I might be paying for that and my Lexus adviser complained about being at work after Chritmas so I can see why $1200.00.

LOL

I need still need to know about that 2nd part he kept talking about, don't know what he was saying, should find out by 2moorow!

 

[Val678]

So he said its the throttle body!

$800 + $400(labor) for the install, kinda sucks!

Whers is the Throttle Body, What does it do?

 

[1loudLX]

the throttle body is connected to the intake manifold and the airfilter box. It controls the airflow into the motor with a butterfly valve.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throttle_body

 

[Val678]

Thanks, 1loudlx!

Here is the funny part, so I told my Lexus's Service adviser the etc light doesn't come on. He thinks the etc is the overdrive.

LOL

I guess they don't know thier cars. He said, there leaving it on for the night and running it for codes, I didn't understand that. Is the car going to be on for the whole night, what does that mean. Made no sense. I uderstand what he means for looking for codes but leaving it on for the night to look for codes made no sense.

Scary!

 

[EdsCruisin]

Dude, you need to run - don't walk - to another service department!

What are the exact codes that were thrown? The TPS is an accessible part with minimal labor, as compared to the APPS. IMHO when a service department can't explain themselves out of a box I won't let them work on my car. They should be able to give you a written estimate with the code numbers and exact repairs spelled out before you let them disassemble.

I also think that they anticipate that LX owners can "afford" to do whatever it takes to fix their cars and so they don't want to bore you with details. Some mechanics feel obligated to be some sort of Robin Hood.

Ed

 

[NMuzj100]

I agree these jokers do not know what they are doing and are guessing with your money .... or they do know what they are doing and are just taking your money because they can.

The APPS is usually the problem and is attached to the thottlebody so replacing the whole assembly will fix the problem but is unnecessary.

Good diagram on SF-38. The APPS is on one side of the thottle body and the TPS and thottle control motor are on the opposite side. The APPS (accelerator pedal position sensor)is the black unit that looks like a fishing reel on the left side of the thottlebody in the pic 1loudLX posted (inside the red circle).

 

[Jim_Chow]

I don't know if the TPS is replaceable on the newer TB's. My 03 FSM just says if the TB fails the tests it lists, replace the entire TB.

I've also found that many of the Lexus service managers try to BS their way. I always test them by researching exactly the work to be completed in the FSM, then asking them technical questions. When I had the dealer flush my AHC fluid, I requested they flush not only the 4 globes but the height accumulator. The service manager told me it couldn't be bled, that it was full of air. I called his bluff. There were two techs standing nearby, so he asked them. One tech responded they can bleed it, the other said they usually just do the 4 globes. Hah! I called his bluff!

With Toyota service managers, I've had mixed results. Sometimes, a service manager is an ex-tech and very knowledgeable about the specs, procedures, etc. I was calling around to price an ATF exchange, first asking them if it's just a drain & fill or if they use the machine and pull the ATF cooler intake/output lines and connect them to the machine. Service manager at scottsdale lexus told me he "thinks" they do a drain & fill only for $160 (3.2 qts of ATF for $160??), saying you 'don't want to put these transmissions under any pressure,' and that's why they 'recommend a transmission fluid drain & fill every 15K miles.' Next, I called my local lexus dealer. SM tells me they replace the 8+ qts in the torque converter and drain & fill the 3 qts in the pan, but they do it at the same time w/ the machine (price: $228). I then call my "award winning" toyota dealer and the tell me the use the machine w/ about 16 qts of toyota ATF (price: $150). Sold! And I even got free danishes in the waiting room and a free car wash.

If the guy can't explain to you exactly what needs to be done and what the codes are (you should cross-check and look up the codes), I'd find another dealership. Also call around for pricing on that work. You could also mail order the parts and find a dealer that will just charge you labor. Did you try South Bay Toyota? I've had good luck w/ them.

 

[Val678]

So the code that came up was PO121 and P0120, So i just asked if they could replace the TPS and the car runs great has it used to.

 

[aedgington]

Can I get my props now for diagnosing this with the first reply?

 

[1loudLX]

send props to:

aedgington




There, you have them. Val, dont be scared to accelerate, romp on it and make sure everything works right, hah.

 

[Living in the Past]

I then call my "award winning" toyota dealer and the tell me the use the machine w/ about 16 qts of toyota ATF (price: $150). Sold! And I even got free danishes in the waiting room and a free car wash.

So who is this Toyota dealer. I took my 2000 into a valley Toyota dealer for leaking CV boots. Both inner boots were leaking, one from a tear from a rock and the other just leaking around the shaft. Got both of them repaired under extended warranty. The problem I have is they tried to sell me a $200 front wheel bearung repack, but never told me they were going to change the inner boots only and would I pay to have the outer boots changed. When I dropped the vehicle off I asked what they charge for the 90K service. The guy told me just over $300. I asked him if that included the timing belt, he then says oh does this have a V8 . Also asked him about the cost of the water pump he says if it's not leaking why would you want to replace it. The real kicker was it took over twenty-four hours before they started the work. He said Toyota had no record of the extended warranty on that VIN. I do some checking with the dealer I bought it from, in the mean time he said he got it straightened out. It seems the VIN was coming up as a 89 Land Cruiser. I told him over three years ago I had my 89 in there for some work . So I looking for a different dealer. I did get a email from the service manager asking how I like the service plus a link for a on line survey from Toyota.

John

 

[DMX84]

I replaced my TPS and the code has never come back. (But IIRC the APS code came up originally as well.) The job wasn’t hard you can search this and find how I did it. I did find that you cannot use a ohm meter to set it up- it must be a scan tool. I put my new one on with the same amount of gap showing as the old one had and drove down to American Toyota and had a Tech read the values –and all was good. I think the range is large enough to get it right if you put it on like I mentioned.
Dean