Beware: OBDII device causing ABS/AFS/VSC/AC issues
#1
Beware: OBDII device causing ABS/AFS/VSC/AC issues
Hello everyone!
Long time listener, first time caller. This one is a doozy, so I wanted to post it just in case anyone ever sees anything similar.
My 2004 LS430 recently lit up a BUNCH of lights in the middle of a trip (seen in the photo below, apologies for the dust), with all of the following symptoms:
[img]//lexusownersusa.b-cdn.net/uploads/monthly_2024_08/PXL_20240806_152252364_MP.thumb.jpg.96165a35b9e9d81ecd9b761c686740d5.jpg[/img]
I finally remembered a post on ClubLexus about turning the VSC light off via jumping some pins on the OBDII port and remembered I had an OBDII Bluetooth adapter (similar to ) attached. I removed it while driving and IMMEDIATELY solved all the issues. Some of the lights remained on until restarting the car, but they never came back on again.
This was such a seemingly large-scale issue with such a simple fix (presumably the OBDII scanner is bad, it was phenomenally cheap) that I wanted to record it here in case others encounter it. Beware of cheap OBDII scanners and how much that port can affect the sensors/computers in this car!
Long time listener, first time caller. This one is a doozy, so I wanted to post it just in case anyone ever sees anything similar.
My 2004 LS430 recently lit up a BUNCH of lights in the middle of a trip (seen in the photo below, apologies for the dust), with all of the following symptoms:
[img]//lexusownersusa.b-cdn.net/uploads/monthly_2024_08/PXL_20240806_152252364_MP.thumb.jpg.96165a35b9e9d81ecd9b761c686740d5.jpg[/img]
- ABS light on and ABS not functioning
- AFS OFF light blinking *rapidly*
- Check VSC message on info screen (where "Brake Wear" shows in the image)
- Shifter position light off regardless of position
- Oil temperature gauge falling to (and remaining at) fully cold
- Emergency brake light on, even if disengaged
- Outside temperature sensors not reporting (both on the dash and near the time above the nav system
- Fuel gauge falling below normal level by about 1/5 tank
- A/C turning off (fans still blow, but no cold air)
- Occasionally: Battery light (near emergency brake light) turning on
I finally remembered a post on ClubLexus about turning the VSC light off via jumping some pins on the OBDII port and remembered I had an OBDII Bluetooth adapter (similar to ) attached. I removed it while driving and IMMEDIATELY solved all the issues. Some of the lights remained on until restarting the car, but they never came back on again.
This was such a seemingly large-scale issue with such a simple fix (presumably the OBDII scanner is bad, it was phenomenally cheap) that I wanted to record it here in case others encounter it. Beware of cheap OBDII scanners and how much that port can affect the sensors/computers in this car!
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BigBoomer (08-16-24)
#2
Yep. I had that happen to me before on a GS350. I noticed and figured it out immediately. Hence, I don’t buy cheap Chinese OBDII plugs anymore.
now I buy less cheap Chinese OBDII plug from a “brand” name in the $60+ price range.
now I buy less cheap Chinese OBDII plug from a “brand” name in the $60+ price range.
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jlehenbauer (08-14-24)
#4
https://a.co/d/4sSRfOE
i think one level up OBDLink MX+ for $100 when on sale
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-mxp/
I use the vLinker because it was the cheap alternative to OBDLink. I don’t remember the exact details but cheap OBDii will give you the issues you had and they communicate slower. Also, cheap ones may not be able to read/write on some specific modules. Don’t quote me on that.
Also, there is supposedly less delay in data transfer so your charts will be almost real time.
It was 2 years ago and I ended up with the vLinker. This is after years of multiple $5-$20 cheap Chinese ones
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jlehenbauer (08-14-24)
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