cespede

After heavy rains a couple of weeks ago, and thanks to the incompetence of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, my 2008 SC430 got about 8 inches of water inside on the passenger side. After vacuuming the water out and letting it dry for a couple of days, the car started and ran fine for about a week when the SRS light came on. My independent mechanic says that the Occupant Detection ECU had water in it and needs replacing. The local Lexus dealer wants $504 for a new one. My mechanic is trying to find a used one, but thinks it might still need to go to the dealer for programming and/or calibrating. Any recommendations on how best to fix this problem?

VVTiBob

Used ones are typically already programmed and salvaged from cars. Hopefully not flooded cars. BTW we had a member who had water damage similar to yours had a lot of problems with the passenger side junction block. Have you inspected yours?

cespede

Thanks for the info on the used ones. I’m still trying to find one (part number 89952-0W042), so if anyone on this site has one for sale, please let me know. I checked the passenger side fuse box, and it was high enough that the water didn’t reach. Is that the junction block you were referring to or is that something else? Thanks again.

Avmanager

. The Junction box is the fuse box. Hopefully no water got on it as I had to replace mine on the drivers side. That part might be one you might be better off calling a few of the salvage yards that focus on Lexus in general. When I needed a rear junction box as well, I found one of the Lexus parts dealers that had a lot of parts listed on Ebay and called them. They said those type of parts aren't usually listed out, but they went to the yard and pulled it for me. The Rear junction box was $900 at Lexus. I paid $50. Assuming you could give them the part number and its location on the car and they pull it for you. If not, that part number comes up $365 online

VVTiBob

The junction block I was referring to is on both the driver’s and passenger side behind the respective kick plate. It is higher. Nevertheless moisture wicked up the interior sound padding and soaked the block and connectors. The problems began later as oxidation took its toll on the connector components.

Avmanager

I would also look at any lower electrical connections feeding the Junction box as well. Not sure on the passenger side, but on the drivers side, there were connections where the wiring fed to the rear of the car. I would look at those and clean them and possibly look at using some contact cleaner on the connections

DshngDaryl

You can buy just about anything on eBay, even SRS Computers:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...acat=0&_sop=16

DshngDaryl

ok, I take back my last post. after googling the part number, I see you are looking for a seat sensor.

You can probably get it from these guys: https://www.tlsautorecycling.com/lexus/sc430.html

While you are at it, you probably want to buy the wiring harness that runs to it (And possibly any others that were under water) You might have to take the seat out and that will give you a good opportunity to change the wires.

DshngDaryl

Avmanager

I've bought several electrical parts for my SC430 from them and have never had an issue.