Warning lights just popped up

[Charlie]

Jumped into the GX470 “Tank” today and pulled out of the garage and the following warning lights came on
VSC On
VSC Off
Skid control
Engine

These have never come on before but I’ve only had the vehicle for four months and today was the first time
I drove it into Ensenada and it drove and ran fine

Any ideas???

Cheers Baja Charlie

 

[McDuff123]

From memory, I *think* those are the lights you get when the SAIS (supplemental air injection system...basically an emissions-related air pump that accelerates the heating of the catalytic converters when cold) is acting up.
Best big to do is get the codes read. It’s possible that the gas cap is loose. Tighten it...if the lights don't disappear after a while, it’s not the cap.
Hewitt makes a bypass kit for the SAIS system. I have it installed, it works as advertised.

 

[CarolinaGX]

McDuff123 is in the right direction. It could be SAIS, but my guess would be faulty O2 sensor(s). P0420 and/or P0430 are the codes that I expect you will see when you read them. If so, it is O2 sensors or an exhaust leak. I find it very strange that the traction control is tied to the emissions system, but it seems to be so.

 

[IwantPrado]

I recommend hooking up a scanner and reading the codes to determine the "diagnosis", then go from there. If you can did not into "limp mode" or reduced power output/speed, then it is not likely SAIS. But anything is possible. Get it diagnosed and please report back your findings. Thank you!

 

[Charlie]

Thanks for the tips
Now to my dilemma
I live 105 miles south of the border in Baja California. We are currently in lockdown in regards to non essential travel to the states and there are no Lexus dealerships in Ensenada. The local mechanics down here are hacks and few even know that cars don’t have points. I’m pretty mechanically inclined (former Cadillac line mechanic) so if I have the tools I usually can fix it. So I have some questions

1. Where can I download the best service manual for my 2006 GX470?
2. I’ve used diagnostic equipment before, what and where can I get a code scanner?
3. The car doesn’t get driven much, do you think this might be old fuel related? Ensenada gets its fuel from Long Beach, California and my last fill up was at a Chevron back in March
4. If I disconnect the battery will that recycle the computer and possibly reset it?

Note; our mail service is still working so I can get things like a service manual and scanner delivered

More information on the warnings lights

1. With the VSC on, the VSC off, the Loss of Traction light on and the Engine check light on, the car drives just fine, no noises, no limp mode
2. The SAIS has been replaced
3. One thing I did observed the brake fluid tank is overfilled by about 3/4” over the Max line. Aren’t the VSC’s and the loss of traction sensors tied to the brakes? The brakes work great???

So that’s it for now, thanks in advance for any help on my issues. We’re hoping the lockdown here will be lifted at the end of June.

Cheers Baja Charlie

 

[IwantPrado]

Thanks for the tips
Now to my dilemma
I live 105 miles south of the border in Baja California. We are currently in lockdown in regards to non essential travel to the states and there are no Lexus dealerships in Ensenada. The local mechanics down here are hacks and few even know that cars don’t have points. I’m pretty mechanically inclined (former Cadillac line mechanic) so if I have the tools I usually can fix it. So I have some questions

1. Where can I download the best service manual for my 2006 GX470?
2. I’ve used diagnostic equipment before, what and where can I get a code scanner?
3. The car doesn’t get driven much, do you think this might be old fuel related? Ensenada gets its fuel from Long Beach, California and my last fill up was at a Chevron back in March
4. If I disconnect the battery will that recycle the computer and possibly reset it?

Note; our mail service is still working so I can get things like a service manual and scanner delivered

More information on the warnings lights

1. With the VSC on, the VSC off, the Loss of Traction light on and the Engine check light on, the car drives just fine, no noises, no limp mode
2. The SAIS has been replaced
3. One thing I did observed the brake fluid tank is overfilled by about 3/4” over the Max line. Aren’t the VSC’s and the loss of traction sensors tied to the brakes? The brakes work great???

So that’s it for now, thanks in advance for any help on my issues. We’re hoping the lockdown here will be lifted at the end of June.

Cheers Baja Charlie

Charlie,
I'm addressing your question #2: This might be your cheaper option: A Chinese made, but decent (I have one of these branded ELM, but looks just like the on in the link) scanning tool that you hook up to your phone via bluetooth for easy code scan: Amazon product ASIN B00W0SDLRY. But it is very basic and some of them work only with Android phones and some on both iPhone and Android. If you want to spend more and have more features, this one seems decent: Amazon product ASIN B01N6RKE29
I am glad to hear your SAIS system was replaced, but it can go bad again as that foam filter disintegrates over time. I just did the filter swap for it as my old one was gone, but everything still runs good. I put an external breather filter on it. Check the video on my YouTube channel: Lexus GX470 Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement and SAIS filter swap procedure

Question #3: not likely it is fuel related as if it was you wouldn't;t get the same lights you are getting now. It just wouldn't run.

Question #4: try the ECU reset trick like you said by disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes.

I have a feeling it may be one or both of your catalytic converters, O2 sensor, of maybe you just need a new fuel cap. Try that first (cheapest version, you can order a new one online). I had to replace mine (previous owner did) due to check engine codes, and it seems to have fixed the issue.

 

[Charlie]

Thanks a bunch. It’s 3 in the afternoon today so it’s almost Margarita time. I’ll get back at it tomorrow and update on what I find

Cheers Baja Charlie

 

[z00t3ch]

If ANYTHING trips the CEL in a GX, you get the full Christmas tree. I know it's startling to get so many warning lights at once seemingly from every corner of the vehicle, but it could literally be an O2 sensor going or even a broken height sensor.

 

[CarolinaGX]

If you are able to go to your local auto parts store, they can read the code for you. I am not sure what you are allowed to do under the lock down.

 

[SteveH]

If you get the 'slow evap leak code' - I bought a new gas cap (for an '06 4Runner at my Toyota dealer) and it cured a few of these Christmas-tree events. My brother's '06 did the same thing with the same cure.

 

[Charlie]

My latest update
Screwed and unscrewed the gas cap about ten times
Disconnected the battery for ten minutes and reconnected it

All warning lights are off .... yippee!

Going to order a new gas cap and a code scanner in case this problem comes up again

Dang gas caps!!!! My 2008 Rubicon it took ten tries to find one that worked

Thanks to all, love this forum

Cheers Baja Charlie

 

[HomersCanyonero]

All you did was clear them by disconnecting battery.

If the issue is still there, it can take up to 75 miles or less for the system to detect the issue again and trigger the light.

you need to read the codes so you know what the system is detecting. There’s 100s of codes and some go away and come back intermittently depending on problem.

 

[Zenquest]

Definitely get the codes. I had the exact same problem yesterday and found out my o2 sensors are shot and the airbags have a slow leak.

 

[Charlie]

I’ve got a code reader and a new gas cap coming.
We’ll update what I find.
My two pesos worth
The rig has been sitting a lot due to the lockdown here in Baja. So my two prime suspects are:
Engine light - Gas Cap
VSC lights and Loss of Traction - Slow leak in air bags

Cheers Baja Charlie

 

[CarolinaGX]

Let us know what codes are stored.

 

[z00t3ch]

I’ve got a code reader and a new gas cap coming.
We’ll update what I find.
My two pesos worth
The rig has been sitting a lot due to the lockdown here in Baja. So my two prime suspects are:
Engine light - Gas Cap
VSC lights and Loss of Traction - Slow leak in air bags

Cheers Baja Charlie

Chuck,

ANYTHING that trips the CEL will automatically trip the other lights, too. Even a bad gas cap will trip the CEL and the other lights by default. The GX will disable VSC and skid control if any faults are found elsewhere. Clearing just the CEL will clear the other lights with it.

 

[Toyoland66]

Every code I have had so far is P0456 “evap system leak” (very small leak) which causes the dash to light up every warning light it can, but it’s easily fixed by a new gas cap o-ring 77316-33042 which take about 2 minutes to replace.

Owning a code reader is very handy.

 

[Charlie]

New Lexus gas cap
No warning lights
Code reader not here yet
Must be being delivered by burro to Baja

Cheers Baja Charlie

 

[Charlie]

Well the warning lights are back so I guess it wasn’t the gas cap
My code reader I ordered is coming next week so I’ll update on what I find

Cheers Baja Charlie

 

[Charlie]

Update
Finally got a Code Reader and the code it pulled up was
Evaporative System ( very small leak)
Sounds like the ole gas cap

I have a brand new OEM cap but I know from experience with my old Rubicon that don’t mean a lot. I fought that battle for ten years on my Jeep and finally doubled up the gasket and good bye warning light. Going to cap gasket check and report back

Cheers Baja Charlie