Please help with my fathers 2004 LS430!

[Vick Nagi]

 

Good evening all.

 

I will do my best to keep a long story short. Grab yourself a cuppa and settle down... I know it may seem I have registered to ask for help, which I have but, there is a story that goes with this plea for help.

 

The background: My father was a Mercedes S Class purist until, he test drove a 2002 LS430. He fell in love and ended up buying one from eBay (He literally has no clue how eBay works and did not eve tell anyone!) and the seller, a shady private dealer offered to deliver it. My father was at home the car arrived from the midlands (100 miles away) and being him, he invited the chap in as most elderly do being super polite, he paid the man, fed and watered him, and then got him a taxi to the local train station. During this socialising time, he completely ignored to even look at the car (the most trusting man alive), assuming it was an eBay purchase so it would be fine and the seller seemed genuine. It turned out to be a dog with 1 months MOT, 3 bald tyres, paint stripper damage on 40% of the car and running like a pig. He managed to get a feeble amount of money back (I think it was for a new MOT) and that was that. 

The car sat there for a couple weeks un touched until he found another but this time a 2004 face lift LS430. This time he called me first, woohoo! We agreed with a local dealer to take a look at this car and to be honest, he was a pretty nice guy. After hearing the story, he offered to take the 02' car in PX as he was able to paint and did in house mechanical work. For what he gave us for it in PX, both parties were happy and my father got to drive his dream machine! I will not forget seeing his face driving home and having a race from the traffic lights with me! What a hilarious sight.

My father has enjoyed this car since summer 2014 until July 2018. In that time, we fitted 4 tyres, new discs and pads all round,  rear hubs / bearings (one was a bit noisy so we did both) and he had the exhaust repaired last winter  with a new lambda sensor, so overall nothing major or costly and just maintenance. A happy experience and it was surprising he had kept the car for this long, but he could not find a fault with it so no reason to change.

Now moving forward to this July, we spent the day together at my house discussing my new porch (He is a retired builder), we had a great day but it was coming to an end so he decided not to stay over so he set off on his drive back home. He called me once he had settle at home to have our usual conversations, which included how smooth his car was on his motorway journey and why I should also get a LS430 (I drive a W211 E55 AMG, if you care to know).

This is where it goes wrong. The next day, I called him but did not get an answer. Very unusual. I thought he might have slept in but my brother had a day off and was going to head over to see him anyway and have a catch up. When he arrived, he found him collapsed on the floor, typically with his car keys in hand. When I got the call, I was in shock but headed over immediately. The paramedics had already arrived by the time I had reached him and they told us he had suffered a severe stroke. He was rushed to the hospital where he received treatment but unfortunately had lost all mobility, some cognitive function and poor speech. Around 90% loss. He spent over 5 months in hospital and during this period, I went to see him every day and checked on his house every other day. It was tiring to say the least.

Now here are some interesting parts during his recovery and when he managed to recoup 70% of his speech. We spoke about his health  and future (which he hated) but it always ended up about his car past and how his LS430 is the best car he has owned. He was more distressed about not being able to drive than even eating! It explains why I was raised as a petrol head! LOL.  He would ask me to take his car for a run every few weeks, something I was not able too due to not being able to find his key which, we later found it in his hospital bag from when he was admitted.

So finally: why I need your help! I had the key in hand, the car unlocked, I sat inside and turned the ignition................ the dash lit up but................ nothing happened. Damn!  A new Battery later, she fired into life and ran so smoothly. I got it on level ground and checked the vital fluids, all was perfect. After the tyres were checked, I set off back to my home so I could give it a clean and once over. When I arrived, I noticed some lights were on the dash: VSC and ABS with a check VSC on the cluster with a AFS coming on intermittantly. I have done around 150 miles it with fresh tank of 99 ron fuel from a low fuel light

After a good clean, I took it to my VW specialist for a scan/reset and got the following codes:

 

C0200

C1201

C1223

C1235

B2799

C1776

C1752

 

Now my father is back home, 5 1/2 months since his stroke and sadly will not be able to drive anytime soon, if ever. I know how much he loves his car but being the most selfless person I know,  he has told me several times to keep It for myself or  just px for my wife’s next car. I can not bring myself to do either. I know how much he enjoys his car so, could anyone please point me in any direction in what could be the cause or where to start looking?  Google brings up mixed reviews and my local garage said nothing looks faulty on the wiring or abs sensors, and that they could try and swap parts out but were honestly not sure. I am able to repair and test things myself but just do not know where to start looking.

 

Thank you for reading and any input would be greatly appreciated

 

Vick

 

 

[Malc]

Welcome to the LOC

I would hope a Member from your part of Yorkshire ( where is that ) on here will be able to put you in touch with his regarded Lexus independent mechanic who might be able to give you some more certainty with your car and it's issues.

She looks a lovely car and clearly well cared for, just that sitting idle never does a car much good sadly 

Good luck with it all

Malc

 

[Vlady]

Hi Vick,

Welcome to LOC, sorry to hear about the health of your day,I hope he will get better.

I can't advice on Lexus issue but good luck with it all.

Vlad

[GrahamG]

Hello Vick and Merry Christmas,

Father Christmas might tell you that the codes were caused by the ECU being confused by the low Battery. Failing that just one code is relevant and the others have been tripped by the interconnectedness of all the electronic complexity. My Walt Disney story ends with your expert independent garage clearing the codes [after carefully taking note of them] and you drive the car with the new Battery and they never come on again.

Well it is Christmas eve.

Sorry I am not the expert you need but let me wish all the best to your father.

[BachelorDays]

I gave up on the MB after three w210s.  Had a wonderful time with the w126s for well over a decade when they were around. So I'm sure we've got stories to share.

On the fault you've mentioned - I think I'll get banned from the club for sounding obsessed with the fuel cap so hear me out before they send over the guys with the straight jackets.

You're driving along and all of a sudden the dash lights up. ABS, VSG, the works. If you're in a w210 you change the brake light switch. If you're in a w211 you swear under your breath and get ready to fork out for a brake master cylinder pump. In my RX I took off the fuel filler cap, cleaned it and put it back on. Started the car again and the lights were gone.  Worth a try.

Mention the w126 to your dad. That'll cheer him up.

[BachelorDays]

Do be careful cleaning the rim of the filler lest you drop any residue in the tank.

[cruisermark]

Hi Vick

Do the codes return after reset?

[jonthetourist]

3 hours ago, cruisermark said:

Hi Vick

Do the codes return after reset?

that's the critical question. It could be, as said earlier, they are just the consequence of the old Battery. In that case a reset means you are all good. Given the car was going well for your dad, that would be my bet. Fingers crossed for you.

 

Jon

[harrylime]

If you are near Sheffield, I recommend Dave at Lex-tek, based near Rother Valley Country Park. He is honest, reasonable and very knowledgeable (ex long term Lexus technician. http://www.lex-tekautos.com/ i have no connection other than being a satisfied customer