VGRS light (2 Viewers)

[PADDO]

There is a manual way to unlock the steering actuator "if not using hand held tester". And you can also try and manually clear DTCs at dlc3 (verify that Ts,Tc, Cg and E1 are in the correct spots, some docs don't correlate with the actual pin out of dlc3) I haven't done these manual procedures, but I'll find and attach the procedure in the off chance it works for you. Maybe @LandCruiserPhil will loan you his vgrs module? Since he got it for free, and all
Edited to attach docs

 

[r3run33]

hello sorry was working and had no free time

My VGRS actually broke during a super hot day in summer in city; it was 105 degree and I hit a big pot hole (not even going fast) steering wheel went loose and off center and the VGRS light came on. on way home steering got looser (more play in wheel without any change in vehicle direction) so I took to dealership thinking I broke something. The 2 tech guys I know at the dealership were both on vacation so I bit bullet and said ok fix it; they gave me a loaner and I left. Get a call about 2 hours later saying its like $3000.00!!! I was like what the #$%^???? he explains all the stuff needed etc then they start saying stuff about my tires that they are over sized etc thats when I knew I was getting shafted so I say fix it then I call 800 Lexus number and got all sorts of info about thhe recall and TSB so the corporate guy called dealership etc and I got the price cut way down. Still got raped in my opinion cause I think I had to pay like 900 and the fool guy who worked on my truck ripped my CV boot and did not tell me. Now no one works on my truck at the dealership except for the tech I know (have gone wheeling with him and camping)

look these guys are there to make money so if they can get you they will; you have to do your homework luckily we have a vehicle that does not really ever require big time work.

 

[r3run33]

I'm actually surprised no one here posts more problems about this part of the LX/LC unless most were actually fixed with the TSB and recall

 

[r3run33]

Now I specifically remember having to replace the computer module for this which was the expensive part its a 2006 LX470

 

[nnnnnate]

So I had a chance this morning to check voltage between the PIG and PGND per the PDFs that were provided earlier in this thread and the voltage was 11.94. This is in spec and per the document that means I get to replace the VGRS ECU. I'm super excited about that!

I doubt I'll be able to find one but I guess I'm going to start checking the junk yard websites to see if I can locate one cheaper than the $12XX I found at a dealer.

 

[r3run33]

oh bummer hey your sig does not say where you are but a few months ago there was a Land Cruiser at a junk yard not sure what year or if it even had the VGRS but worth a look cause this ECU is the big bucks also check here with CD Dan he got me stuff at a discount before but I never got a big ticket item. Good luck hey post what you find out and prices

 

[nnnnnate]

Im in Salt Lake City.

 

[PADDO]

So I had a chance this morning to check voltage between the PIG and PGND per the PDFs that were provided earlier in this thread and the voltage was 11.94. This is in spec and per the document that means I get to replace the VGRS ECU. I'm super excited about that!

I doubt I'll be able to find one but I guess I'm going to start checking the junk yard websites to see if I can locate one cheaper than the $12XX I found at a dealer.

I'm pretty sure those FSM pages provide as much info as one can reasonably hope for - sorry they are pointing to an expensive repair, at least you'll get some closure Best case you can snag a serviceable replacement from a salvage yard, if so you'll need to ensure its reinitialization and recalibrated on installation. Let me know if you need any data or help.

 

[nnnnnate]

Thanks. Unfortunately it looks like I also broke my steering column spring on Saturday while playing at the sand dunes. I'm really good at breaking stuff.

Edit: After looking online this morning I found a VGRS ECU on car-part.com out of an '06 that says it should fit. They've got it listed at $450 which is still a lot of money. I've never bought anything I cared about, or needed to work, or cost more than a couple bucks from a junk yard so I'm anxious to shell out the money for this one. I'm going to have to think about it for a few days before I decide. Is there any sort of recourse or warranty when you buy from this site if the item doesn't work? Like I've said, I have no experience with them.

 

[nnnnnate]

I talked to another buddy on Thursday about my VGRS issues at a club meeting and realized that I wasn't testing the voltage correctly. I had pulled the plug and tested the wires while it was NOT plugged into the VGRS ECU. We double checked the procedure and read that it needed to be read while plugged in. On Saturday I was able to re-test it but got the same result. With power on I was getting 12v and with engine running just under 14v.

I went ahead and pulled the VGRS ECU to see if I could see anything obviously wrong with the board but it looked really clean.

Here are some pics of the unit.

The PIG and PGDN wires connect on the gray middle connector. They are the only two wires on the plug.

The board was pretty pristine. If it actually ends up being bad it wasn't from something obviously being blown. I'm not a super circuit wizard or anything but I'm spent some time soldering little things and looked closely at the board and couldn't find anything big that showed being blown.

 

[nnnnnate]

I had read somewhere that the 100s with VGRS had two clock springs. One on the steering wheel and another at the intermediate shaft where all the VGRS gears and motors are. I broke a clock spring while messing around at the sand dunes on a club run a week ago so I decided to pull the steering wheel to make sure I knew that I was ordering the right one. I pulled the wheel and clock spring and took it apart and it was the top one that had indeed broken.

While the top of the steering column was pulled apart (and I still had the VGRS ECU pulled and on the bench) I decided to keep disassembling the column to try and understand what parts where there vs the parts diagrams I had been looking at. I got down to the point to pull the top shaft from the intermediate shaft. It seems like the intermediate shaft starts in the cabin but passes through the firewall. Is that right?

Part of my thinking for doing this is that I still may try and swap the intermediate shaft with one from a cruiser. I found that VGRS was only an LX thing (starting in 2003) when previously I had thought it was shared across the two models.

I ran out of time on Saturday and still had the column all pulled apart (its my dd) so I put a couple things back together and drove it down the street for a meeting I needed to go to. At this point the clock spring, VGRS ECU, and air bag were removed from the car and on the workbench. I didn't have any issues and had reset the steering wheel so that is where I'm at right now with it.

I'm going to try and look at intermediate shafts from the LC today to decide whether I want to order one of those vs buy a used VGRS ECU (I won't be ordering one new.) My club buddy suggested finding someone with a similar year that would allow me to test their ECU but I'm a little reluctant to do this for a few reasons. Its kind of a hassle to pull, and if I plug it into my rig and it blows up its a REALLY expensive part. I'm struggling with paying for a used one myself and it would kill me to end up needing to replace someone elses too. There are quite a few LXs in our club (Wasatch Cruisers) but I think the majority of them are the earlier model years anyway. I can't think of anyone else with a 2004 or later other than myself that I know well enough to even ask.

 

[r3run33]

ok by pulling the steering column and stuff you must be a little bit mechanically inclined so doing a rebuild with just regular parts from a Cruiser/LX one that DOES NOT have the VGRS is that possible? or do you have to replace to many things etc. From my understanding this is a personal Lexus upgrade thing (don't send me hate mail) meaning not really that big of a benefit mostly helps with steering in slow speeds etc and stiffens up at highway. If you are at high milage on your cruiser would it be a benefit cost savings; to me 1000$ is a lot to spend. if you can rebuild without the VGRS is that an option?

 

[nnnnnate]

I believe that you can put the intermediate shaft from an earlier LX or an LC in place of the fancy one in the later LXs. I compared part diagrams between LC and LX and believe it is doable.

I was talking to a co-worker about it all this morning and ended up buying a used VGRS ECU off ebay. I had emailed a chop shop that was parting out an '07 LX to see if they had the ecu and he responded today asking for more info on what I was looking for. We exchanged several emails through ebay and he found the part and provided some pics and a price of $200 so I jumped on it. It'll have a 100 day warranty which makes me feel better about it getting a used unit.

I don't know that I have more skill, just a lack of common sense probably as I get myself into binds by diving into things. I buggered up my steering column (the threads that you put the steering wheel lock nut on) pulling the wheel and had to have my buddy explain how to fix them. I'm not super afraid of messing with bolt on stuff though and its probably saved me some coin in the end. I texted my wife that I had found the part that I thought I was going to spend $1250 on for $200 and that it was good because now I would have money to buy some steps for her (sliders. ) Thats not a done deal though so we'll see if I can work that out of this too.

 

[r3run33]

cool happy for your that your found that part!!!! I hope t works and i definitely think it should good luck post on your progress and outcome

 

[nnnnnate]

I got both parts delivered and this afternoon I was able to get the VGRS ECU installed back in place. I didn't plug the connectors in because I need to read up the on the initialization stuff some more so I understand the process but I'm hoping to have some free time tomorrow to be able to do that. I'm really really really hoping that this resolves my issues.

On a side note I bought the $22 clock spring (spiral spring) off amazon and compared my broken unit to the new one. If I didn't know which one was which I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. All markings, stickers, and connectors appear to be exactly the same.

If @PADDO sees this and has some time to find the associated VGRS pdfs for the initialization process that would save me time in trying to find them online, not a big deal though if he isn't able to.

 

[PADDO]

Have a look at the last couple of pages in the DI 357 pdf, really straight forward (pun intended) just hook up Techstream and access the VGRS ecu and follow the prompts. Then after driving in a straight line above 22mph for 5secs iirc you should recheck to confirm the steering angle flag is "valid" and lock to lock is approx. 2.4 turns. It might be an idea to reread DI 348 too for the bigger picture of what you're trying to achieve. Glad you found a replacement at a good price.

 

[nnnnnate]

Thanks Paddo. Somehow I missed the 357 doc that you linked earlier. I'll take the time to re-read everything before I give things a go later today.

 

[under_psi]

so i was searching the VGRS and came up with this thread.

i seem to have multiple issues with an LX470 i purchased. evidentially the VGRS light or something went wrong with it...

i have been searching for my problems with the ABS/Trac control/A trac not workin and was looking for and checking light functions..

i noticed what i "think" is the VGRS light covered up with black electrical tape. the truck has a new steering rack in it.....i was unaware of this upon purchase.....

can anyone tell me what i may see from this system not working??

 

[sseaman]

It would still be drivable, VGRS comes into play when you make a tight turn. Others may have more details

 

[PADDO]

so i was searching the VGRS and came up with this thread.

i seem to have multiple issues with an LX470 i purchased. evidentially the VGRS light or something went wrong with it...

i have been searching for my problems with the ABS/Trac control/A trac not workin and was looking for and checking light functions..

i noticed what i "think" is the VGRS light covered up with black electrical tape. the truck has a new steering rack in it.....i was unaware of this upon purchase.....

can anyone tell me what i may see from this system not working??

If it's not working you'll essentially have conventional steering and forfeit the speed dependent advantages and the safety aspects of the vgrs input to the skid control system.