Znebel

Well guys I recently bought a 1998 Lexus GS300 off my uncle for $200 and put about $2k in repairs to get it on the road after his garage collapsed on it and it just sat still for 5 years.

Recently I have started having some problems with my ABS system. A loud buzzing sound would activate from around the dash area. as well as the ABS light coming on and a light with a red exclamation mark. The result of this is that my brakes barely work.. It's to the point where I feel like i'm trying to brake as hard as I can and it only slightly brakes. It's been off and on and I have noticed brake fluid is draining somewhat.

Anyways today i got an engine scanner and got a bunch of codes from it and I'm just wondering from someone with experience what I should do.

Here are the codes and to my knowledge what they define.

Engine: P1349 Variable Valve Timing System Malfunction

ABS: C1252 Hydraulic Brake Booster Pump Motor On Abnormally Long
C1256 Accumulator Low Pressure Malfunction
C1223 Antilock Brake System Control System Malfunction
C1201 Engine Communication Circuit

jcat_350

I'd start by replacing the master cylinder/booster. The pump motor being on too long means there's a leak somewhere. The accumulator seeing low pressure is directly related to the booster. The ABS modulator is probably gone so that could need replacing, or maybe doing the booster and MC will cure that. Engine comm circuit could be a short in wiring or a bad ECU. VVT malfunction could be a bad VVTi actuator.

Znebel

I'm not exactly wealthy so I'm trying to avoid changing anything major.... My first thoughts where to check the brake lines for a leak but when I put it up on a hoist I was unable to locate a leak just from looking around.

jcat_350

well you said that the fluid was going somewhere...it's a sealed system, you shouldn't be losing fluid at all.

The fact that you're getting those codes indicates that it's something more serious going on. Sorry it's not the answer you want to hear, but all signs are pointing toward the master cylinder/booster assembly. The accumulator low pressure code is what's mostly putting up the red flags, as well as the booster pump motor on abnormally long. The pump being on too long means the pressure is not staying in the booster. You could have a leak somewhere, but for it to trip those codes, it'd have to be major.