Just purchased a 2014 is250 fully loaded. When the finally paperwork came out the dealer added a $500 charge for "pulse" taillights. When I said I do not need pulse he said it comes with the car from factory and it cannot be removed. Paid and went on my way not thinking much until a couple days later.

Pulse apparently flashes the rear brake light a few times to alert others behind you. It sounds like an ecu flash at best that could be flashed to stock?

Anyone know about this?

Thank you very much in advance for your feedback!

Andrew

 

sent you a pm

 

Never heard of a lexus factory option called "pulse." If this is a factory installed option, it should show up on the factory sticker which I doubt. Sounds like a dealer installed 3rd party accessory. This would not be something controlled by the ecu. I would guess it is some kind of overpriced inline module/relay that is spliced into the brake signal wire.

 

$500 for that?! geez i would pay $30

 

Could you post a video of it when you get a chance? I've only seen things like that on 18 wheelers....

 

Saw it on a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. I didn't like it.

 

You got screwed by Tom Wood - sorry to hear. I think they install pulse on cars at many of their dealerships. I read up on it, and it's a dealer add on.

Did you shop around before buying from them? I was there in November and it was my worst dealership experience ever. I wanted a RWD and they acted like I was the dumbest person in the world, and even told me that I wouldn't be able to drive it in the snow. They also wouldn't budge off MSRP and they tried to screw me on my trade in value ($2k low). Long story short, I drove to Nashville and saved $5k.

 

These situations irritate me. The dealer knows how excited you are to pick up your car so they sneak something in knowing you just want to sign and drive off. On the other hand, as consumers, we need to stand our ground by refusing acceptance of a changed contract term (i.e. the cost) from the original signed contract which did not have this $500 fee (or should not have had).

 

Had the 'pulse' brake installed on 1999 jeep GC not knowing. I was burning out taillight bulbs every few months. Took it to a dealer and cost me three hrs labor for them to source the problem. The selling dealer had these installed. Went back to selling dealer - made a fuss and got reimbursed for the labor charge for the tech time to find that little black box. You were had!

 

This is a VERY common modification for motorcycles. It is a $40 cost MAX. It really gets attention, but for motorcycles that is the point. For cars, it is not much of a necessity.

 

Saw this on a Tom Wood invoice as well.

Jaznraz agree with TOM WOOD not being a dealer to do business with.

 

Yep, they do this kinda BS all the time. The WORST was what happened to me at Orange Coast Infiniti.

Spent 2 hours negotiating price and payments. Agreed on 45k @450 a month. After signing, went home and I looked at the contract, it was bumped to 47.5k @570 a month. OUCH!

$570? I could of been riding in an M3 or something.

 

How did you resolve that? Surprise that dealer like this could stay in business now days.

 

It remains unsolved. I filed with the BBB, but since I signed the contract, there was nothing they could do. So, basically, it's my own dumb fault.

 

That's a relay they installed for you. It costs no more than $15 on ebay and takes about 15 minutes to install.