stevesxm

hi, am well experienced retired mechanic. golfing buddy showed up today w/ 2000 rx350 with 4000 miles on it... really.... he seldom if ever drives it as he has prob six other cars. at anyrate, his check engine light is on. ive never gotten the codes out of one of these... is there a way to do it manually w/out a scanner and is there a list of codes on this site somewhere to refer to ?

Lexmex

Welcome to the Club.

Unfortunately not, of course the OBDI system gave us that luxury. The only thing he can do is take it to an AutoZone or mechanic with an OBD2 scanner. If you let me know what the code is I can tell you what you are dealing with as in the RX300 subsection I have gone over plenty of codes that affect that vehicle.

The OBD2 port should be just above the parking brake near one's left knee when they are sitting in the driver's seat.

stevesxm

thanks but thats the problem... we are located on a carribean island and the nearest scanner is probably miami... but ill check around. there is a toyoata dealer here and they might have one... maybe...

thanks again and will advise... as an aside, is there anything in particular that the 2000's were known for that " they all did " sort of thing ?

car runs and drives perfect... personally im thinking o2 sensor as the fuel quality here is suspect all the time

vj3

Use forum SEARCH engine may be you can find something. Also double
check your buddy(s) RX year & model.

vj3

Use forum SEARCH engine may be you can find something.

Lexmex

If this was a 2000, this probably is a RX300, not an RX350 as you mentioned.

What island are you on by chance?

What you can do is an old trick that I used to use until I picked up a scanner if you want to try to clear the code by yourself.

If you open up the hood an go to the fusebox on the righthand side you will find this fuse, known as an EFI fuse. Remove it for at least 10 seconds (key must be out the ignition) and then put it back in. The vehicle may start off slow, but this is just due to the way the adaptive nature of the ECU works.

The most common code is probably a P0171 which is a lean air and is often caused by a simple gas cap not being tightened right.

The Toyota dealer should definitely have one.

stevesxm

make date is 10/00 and i was pretty sure it said rx350 on the back but maybe not...

so taking the efi fuse out resets the codes ? well thats worth doing and ill check the gas cap altho that would have to do w/ the vapor recovery system which i didn't think HAD a code but either way, its easy to do. ill see the car again sunday and take a whack at it.

am on sint maarten

Lexmex

Normally, I would move this post over to the RX300 subforum, but will keep it here for your convenicence. That should be an RX300. However, I am aware (and especially first hand after my trip last year to Jamaica) there is a 2.4 L version of the RX300 on some of the islands where right hand drive exists.

However, 10/00 is definitely the 1st generation RX300.

The efi fuse should reset it, but if it comes back on, you can also try disconnecting both of the battery cables for about a minute and then reconnecting them. That can also clear the code, but it resets things like radio stations, clock and seat controls.

If a code still comes back on, take it to Toyota and have them read the code and they will probably tell you what it is, but I can also and what is the possible remedy if you have the code number.

Hmmm, noticed Toyota in Saint Maarten's website and couldn't help but noticing an RX300 on the furthest vehicle to the right.

http://www.toyota-caribbean.com/countrytop/stmaarten/

Lexmex

If you have to read the code, I am 99.9% positive Toyota should know the location, but to connect the scanner, the port is right here.

Lexmex

And this is an example of an OBD2 scanner, the one I use.

mgregoryow

My 2004 RX330 was parked for two weeks in the garage during a short vacation. On returning, the car started with a very slight delay and shortly thereafter, the "Check engine", "VSC" and TRAC OFF" indicating lights came on and then the "Maint. Req.". Any help here?
Thanks in advance.
Greg

Lexmex

Welcome to the Club.

There might be some accumulation somewhere along the fuel lines or in the combustion chamber that has hardened. I too have had the same problem, recently when I came back from DC for the holidays and last year when I went to Jamaica for a week.

Best thing is still to get the code read, as AutoZone does this for free and then bring me the code and I will let you know the possibilities.

stevesxm

feel free to move the thread, i can find it again im sure and am sure you are correct about the model... there are about a billion rx350s here and im sure i just presumed same. funny you post that scanner pic. just ordered one for this guy as figure this will not be the last time i see this car and at 45 $ is no big deal. will reset on sunday and see what happens. thanks again for quick help. hard ro believe this car 8 years old with 4 thousand miles... he is talking about getting a new one ( why ? ) and i figure to try to get it cheap. looks like no one has ever sat in it.

Lexmex

Ok, will move to the RX300 thread.

Let me know if you need any other assistance.

stevesxm

ok......... reset the light unscrewed and reset the gas cap and it came back on on the way home... so its something else.

oh well. ill see what the scanner says when it gets here.