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1) Q. When the key is in the ignition but not engaged there is a sizzling sound under the hood that is clearly heard on the driver side. A. They tell me it is a perfectly normal sound made by a solenoid blah, blah, blah and that most owners don't just stick the key in so they don't hear it. It literally sounds like something is frying under there. I see nothing posted here about this, has anyone else experienced it?
2) Q. Window washer fluid is leaking (I have the proof on the floor of my garage and on the two towels I placed there to collect it). A. Maintenance filled the reservoir and found no leaks anywhere in the line. WZUP with that, it's obviously leaking.
3) Q. Gas mileage seems to have decreased. A. They have no test for mileage...
4) Black streaks on my rims. A. Brake dust, but nothing wrong with the brakes.
I did find postings on this forum re Gas mileage and brake dust, but no answers (maybe you can give me a posting number on the answer to the mileage question) re brake dust, all I could find is how to remove it. Is the accumulation of brake dust just normal then?
I just can't imagine that all of this is "normal" and that I just have to live with it. Since I have a somewhat negative view of car dealers and mechanics, my instincts tell me that they're just blowing me off (until warranty expires maybe???). I want to be able to give them an informed response rather than just accepting what they tell me.
Thanks, in advance, for your input.
2) This is not normal and may take some investagation by you before returning to the dealer. At what point of the car is it dripping from to the garage floor, how fast/slow, does it only leak when used or will it leak when just sitting, I would fill it to the fill line and monitor.
3) This is a tough one. What does "seems" to have decreased mean. You have a computer that displays MPG. Did it decrease or not? What type of driving do you do and what is your mpg. Do you have FWD or AWD? You may want to do a search and see what type of mileage others are getting or at least post yours. Mine is 19.7 for AWD on 80% rural country roads, 10% city, 10% highway.
4) The black streaks are most likely brake dust. The RX stock pads are quite good and have very little dusting but you do have to clean the wheels once in a while. Did you get the RX used? Did someone before you possibly do a brake job and use aftermarket pads that dust a little more? As long as the dealer checked the brakes I wouldn't worry about it. Just clean the wheels a little more often.
The hose is indeed connected properly. If anyone has advice before I begin diagnosing the A/F sensor, MAF, and VSC codes let me know. I will post my findings otherwise.
2) A leak is a leak. It might be so slow they could not see it.
3) I get 21.9 with AMZOIL 10/30, and 24.7 with the new AMZOIL 0/30, 2WD with a little over 100k miles. I have some exotic 20" rims that add rotational wieght, but I adjust my mileage for the 5.49% tire circumference increase. I also drive like a little old lady, gentle enough that I am still on my original brake pads.
4) When I replace my brake pads, I will look for some ceramic pads which eliminate this problem.
My 99RX 2WD has 90K+ miles, can I safely switch to Amzoil at this late date?
Can oil now be changed at 25K intervals rather than the 5K I've been diligent about since the vehicle was new?
Should I stick with 5W30 Amzoil which is the grade of conventional oil recommended by Lexus that I've been using all along? Don't see anything about "0/30" grade on their website.
Any additional comments, suggestions or URLs for more info?
Many thanks,
Pete :confuse:
2) ?
3) Your mpg sounds very good to me in comparision with others. When you say you have oversize tires and are compensating for the larger size in your mpg calculations, I can see why the dealer would not even want to be involved in that conversation. It's just not their thing. It's more like no check engine light, no problem.
4) I always viewed the stock pads as good long lasting low dusting pads. Ceramics should help some with the dusting.
Steve, Host
Matt
www.strutwise.com
Every time my browser (Mozilla Firefox 1.0.7) opens edmunds.com I get this dialog box:
Security Error: Domain Name Mismatch [X]
You have attempted to establish a connection with
"www.edmunds.com". However, the security certificate presented
belongs to "secure.edmunds.com". It is possible, though unlikely,
that someone may be trying to intercept your communication with
this web site.
If you suspect the certificate shown does not belong to
"www.edmunds.com", please cancel the connection and notify the
site administrator.
I have sent a screen print of the above to help@edmunds.com with a copy to edmunds@mailca.custhelp.com at least five times, Oct. 3rd, Sept. 10th, Aug. 19th, July 25th and July 14th.
Unfortunately, the only reply received was from "Chris, Edmunds.com Quality Assurance" back on July 15th suggesting I clear cache and cookies and try a different browser (BTW that didn't work and told them so).
All my subsequent eMails have apparently been ignored, can you please intervene on my behalf? I know this is not the proper place for this complaint but I don't know where else to turn. Perhaps you can get your techies to address this issue in a timely manner. O/S in Win98SE if that makes any difference.
Pete :mad:
Please try this:
Log out from Edmunds.
Clear your cookies and cache.
Then log back in without clicking the Auto Login option and see what happens.
You can ask over in the above Forum Software discussion if that didn't fix it; the problem relates to something involving an outside vendor and I know it's frustrated some of the techs.
Here's yet another link for you.
Synthetic motor oil
Steve, Host
I'll try as you suggested.
Pete :sick:
On the bright side, there may be 8 speeds in your future!
Steve, Host
I am looking at buying a 2000 RX300 from a family member. It has been serviced regularly, and has appx 75000 miles. Looks good, rides well. The last service was a week ago, and I noticed the paperwork from the dealer says it will need a new timing belt soon. Can anyone tell me what this may cost me?
I am a little slow when it comes to cars, and want something that isn't going to fall apart on me. I love this car, and like the terms of buying from a family member. They loved the car, their new one is a 2005 RX330. Any other things I should be looking for or asking?
Thanks!
Marg
Edmunds Maintenance Guide
Pete
Regards,
Andy
For those of you in the SF Bay Area (I'm in the East Bay/Walnut Creek), where do you take your cars for service? Our 99 RX 300 AWD is due for 60K service. Walnut Creek Toyota is quoting me $613 and Concord Lexus is $629.
Thanks so much!
What is this?
do the cars have hydralic pump things that lock/unlock each switch? i have an audi and ive talked to some people that have had this issue and i think they said something like that.
anymore suggestions are appreciated... guess ill take the door apart this weekend and see what i can find. easy enough to remove door panel? any tips/tricks to know in advance?
16. Driver's Door:
INSPECT DOOR LOCK MOTOR OPERATION
(a) Connect the positive (+) lead from the battery to terminal 1 and the negative (-) lead to terminal 2, and check that the door lock link moves to the UNLOCK position.
(b) Reverse the polarity and check that the door lock link moves to the LOCK position.
If operation is not as specified, replace the door lock assembly.
Hope this helps.
Pete
The error code is P0171..System too lean (Bank 1). It looks like Oxygen sensor goes bad/dirty (couple of members reported the light turned off after just cleaning the sensor, not replacing it). Would this diagnosis pretty accurate? Or could it mean there is something other than O2 sensor wrong?
I did not find any suspicious symptoms but I recently had occasional knocking sounds. I thought this sound because we used 87 gas for couple of tanks. It is not constant knocking (just on and off for about 3-5 minutes). Today I made the tank almost empty and then refuel with 89. With 5 mile driving, the knocking sound was gone. I don't know if the knocking sound is related to this issue or not.
If it is a problem of Oxygen sensor, I would be surprised because the current mileage is only 21000. I found some other posts but they are all over 60-70K miles.
Also, please advise me how to handle/fix the issue (how much would be the parts and labor?). My car is already out of warranty, but I found some (oxygen sensor) cases that the dealer services fixed it for free (as "good will gesture") because of its early failure. I am wondering if I can ask them about my car.
Another concern: if the oxgen sensor goes bad, is there any possibility that the other related parts (like other 02 sensors) go bad in near future (Or, the failure of a (emission related) part has nothing to do with the continous problem of the other related part)?
I did not purchase a extended warranty yet because the current mileage (21000) of my car is so low. But, I started to be very concerned about reliability of my car due to the check light problem.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Em
Great info you provided here. I just notice my 00 RX300 has the same problem: driver side switch does not work electronically. It only works with key inserted into door, or flip the inside lock with finger.
My question is, how to remove the door lock assembly? My first guess is to pry the whole thing out, along the assembly edge. Is there anything else involved, such as hidden screws to be removed first?
Thanks
14. REMOVE DOOR LOCK
(a) Disconnect the 2 links from the outside handle and key cylinder.
(b) Remove the 4 torx screws and door lock.
(c) Disconnect the 2 connectors.
HINT:
Remove the door lock through the service hole.
(d) Remove the 2 screws and door lock cover from the door lock.
Hope this helps.
Pete
CEL came on = 2000 RX300 with 79,000 miles
I noticed the RPMs were higher than usual, around 3300 at 60 mph, normally around 2200. It was like the car would not go into overdrive. I punched the button on the stick to turn off the overdrive and nothing happened, no "bump" down like it normally would do if you hit the the overdrive off switch. Also if I accelerate hard from a stoplight the gears are bumping a bit - you usually can't even tell it is shiting gears it has been so smooth through the years. If I do a very slow accelaeration up to 60 the car seems to find the right gear and the RPMs are around 22-2300.
Anybody got any ideas. I can't get the car checked at the Toyota place until Thursday AM. I hope (really hope) that this is some kind of computer or electronic problem and not the transmission going bad. Anyone got any suggestions for what I should have checked. On the few problems I have had in the past people on this board were right on the money with what turned out too be wrong. THANKS.
I have a 2001 RX300 but just completed 31K miles
Went to the dealer (Ray Catenain NJ ) for the scheduled maint always and this time he recommended the 30K mile scheduled maint. Came to a whopping $780.
On top of that they say that the Heat Mass air transfer device which checks exhaust gases to figure out how efficient the engine is running is kaput and wants another $880 just for that .
Is this normal? I have never owned any car which cost so much to maintain within the first 302K Miles
Since the Car is already 4 1/2 yrs old its is out of the 3 yr warranty period.
Can I appeal to the lexus gods to get me a replacement on the thingamagig in the exhaust? If so to whom should I direct my entreatments?
Besides when I complained on the inordinately high Regular maint price I did not get a Service Survey Response form which is normally thrust at me.
But hey, if the dealer will do it for free, every little bit helps when trying to prevent HID theft.
Did everyone move on to the 330?
Steve, Host
We just purchase a 2000 RX300. We are very happy with this vehicle so far. Although today when I went to fill up with gas the gas cap door would not stay shut. Is this a common problem? I am located in Michigan and it is only 15 degrees out. Is the locking mechanism just frozen? How can I fix this problem? Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS
Pete
Each door contains a separate computer, connnected through a CAN (car area network bus) to other doors, and the factory security system. If all three methods (driver switch, passenger switch, door cylinder switch) do not work, look closely at the module in the passenger door.