As I was driving out of work today, the malfunction indicator lamp and TRAC OFF lights come on at the same time on my '01 ES. When I stopped later on and parked the car to check outside the car, I noticed the DRLs (daytime running lights) don't work in the AUTO function. Of course I checked the bulbs first to make sure they're not defective, and they aren't, so it's more likely something wrong inside the electrical system connected to the DRL function (which should explain the malfunction indicator lamp).

However, I'm still puzzled with the TRAC OFF lamp and why it came on at the same time with the other warning light. Can anyone shed some light into this matter? Could it have something to do with the oxygen sensors? I'm inclined to take the car to the dealership tomorrow to have it checked out, but I need to know if any of these problems are fixable on my own or not.

 

This is definitely a job for Superman!

In other words....your Lexus Dealer. Besides, this probably will be done under warranty.

Alan

 

This sounds very hopeful. The powertrain warranty (72 months/70,000 miles) should be able to cover the job, correct? Thanks in advance

 

I just pulled out the invoice from my Lexus dealer that was done on my '94ES after having owned the car for 5 years! This repair was done under warranty. I would have scanned the invoice but it was too much trouble, so I typed it out.
Condition 01 -Warranty
Operation C Instruction
811031 Rear CombLight Lens, 1 Side R&R

In other words they replaced the complete Right Rear light assembly because I showed them moisture inside the lens. The mileage on the car was 42,141 and it was done 1/19/99.

Hopefully your dealer will do the same for you.

Good Luck, Alan

 

Alan, I am more certain now that my dealership should be able to honor the warrantable repair of the traction control and DRL systems since they are both operated from the engine and transmission compartments. The 2001 Lexus Owner's Manual Supplement breaks down what's exactly covered under warranty, so we'll find out tomorrow, and I'll let you know. Frankly, I am not in the least bit interested in shelling out $1,500 for a traction control system repair

 

I had the same problem once(Check eng/trac off) when my '99 was still under warranty. The dealer said my gas cap(wasn't on tight). They tightened it- lights went off. Hopefully yours will be this simple.

 

I went to the dealership today to have my car diagnosed. We received an error code indicating a malfunction in the charcoal canister, which triggers the TRAC OFF and check engine lights. This has nothing to do with the DRL system as mentioned, and in fact, the DRLs are working fine.

At any rate, I was looking at a $550.00 job, so you know the next thing to talk about is warranty. I was informed that only the Lexus basic warranty (4 year/50,000 miles) will cover the replacement of the charcoal canister, and obviously I've exceeded that mileage (see pic in 1st post). Furthermore, my extended warranty doesn't cover any emissions-related service work

Merely showing my disappointment to the service guy I was working with, I asked him if he could trim down the cost. He then asked one of the upper management people about it. He had to think about it for a minute, asked me the town where I live, then looked at the service order and error diagnosis, and told me he'll split the cost with me ($250 from my pocket, the rest taken care of by Lexus). I concurred, and was glad the dealership was able to cut me a deal in an expensive service job such as this

This should be all fixed by Tuesday. I think one of the things that may have caused the charcoal canister to go bad is that I usually fill the gas up to the gas cap, not stopping at the auto shut-off. I guess this is not good to do on any car, so I'll definitely change my fueling habit from now on.

 

eww, i never top off the tank. once it stops, its done

 

See, Lexus dealers can be nice too. In fact they originally told me they wanted $180 to install the spoiler on my car and I also cut a deal and they ended up doing it for $120.

Alan

 

That sounds like 2 hrs of labor for the spoiler installation, right Alan? The dealership I'm having my ES worked with, Lexus of Greenwich (right along the CT/NY border), charges $90/hr for labor

Nice thing about dealing with their service is that if you stay nice and polite to them and "ahead of the game" on your car, then they will treat you better and make you a mainstay with their service/shop work. True, I've heard some horror stories from other Lexus customers, but from my experience I can safely say Lexus is one of the top in the automotive industry for customer service

 

You're exactly right about the labor charges at my Dealer, Bay Ridge Lexus in Brooklyn, NY. They figured the spoiler installation is a 2 hour job @ $90/per hour. They did it for me for $60/per hour.
When I was shopping for this 2003ES I almost bought it from Lexus of Greenwich but they didn't have a car with the equipment and color I wanted so I ended up getting it from my local dealer. I was told that only about 1 in 30 cars delivered to most dealers are equipped with Navigation and Mark Levinson Audio, plus the other goodies.
I passed right by your area when I was driving up RT.95 to Foxwoods Hotel & Casino a few days ago. I guess you know where that is. If you heard moaning coming from an '03 Millenium Silver ES traveling West on RT.95 that was me 'cause I lost some moolaa at the Casino. hehehe

Alan

 

Doug, when did you take delivery of the car. If it was within the last 30 days, what kind of warranty did the place where you bought it offer you, It had to have been outside the Lexus warranty when you bought it.
You hsould have gotten at least a 30 day warranty from the place where you bought it.

See if they will reimburse you for the $250.00. You can always threaten small claims court.
Read all fine print on your sales slip. There might be something there, 30, 60, or even 90 day warranty given that the Lexus basic warranty was up when you bought it.

Steve

 

Steve, I know what you're talking about. I took delivery of the car on 4/18/03, and the sales slip contains a warranty condition for 60 days, or 3000 miles (whichever comes first). So that is basically out the door, and so was the extended warranty (insurance doesn't cover emissions-related work), leaving me no outs except for some discount from the service dept. Thanks for bringing that up.

 

isn't it funny how things go wrong JUST after the warranties run out.
Stick with that dealership, they seem to work with their customers.

Steviej.

 

Got the car ('01 ES) back this morning after dropping it off yesterday afternoon. They gave me a '97-'99, dented and dirty loaner ES , but whatever, at least it gets me where I'm going safely. All I had to pay was labor for the replacement of the charcoal canister, and the bill came out to $237.50 plus tax. Only problem with the dealership was limited and tight parking, but other than that, their customer service is top notch. As long as I maintain a healthy and binding relationship with the service dept people, I look forward to doing future service work with them