Malfunction Indicator

[DaKa]

Last night the malfunction indicator lit up on the dash of my 2001 LS430 while wafting around at about 30 mph..

I guess that I will need some plugin computer check for the error code, perhaps it could turn off again (he says hopefully!).

Would anyone know what the most likely cause for this may be? The car is certainly in need of a service but otherwise its running smoothly and nothing noticeable sound or performance wise?

Thxs

[ColinBarber]

pure speculation but possibly an air/fuel ratio (oxygen sensor) problem as they commonly fail on older vehicles and don't always affect performance.

[Malc]

I know nothing ...........  but prior thoughts have been that the fuel filler cap might need taking off and putting back on again ......  weird I know but that's said on here before !

Malc

[DaKa]

It turns out that I've been lucky, as it seems to have been only that the Battery wasn't charging properly, and it was just the Battery, not the alternator.

New Battery fitted (the old Battery was probably older than I thought circa 7 years) and everything great again.

My daughters boyfriend had persuaded me last night to by the new i30N Hyundai (he's collecting is next week) so it will just have to wait now until something else goes wrong on my Lexus - it could be a while then! 

Do I need to touch wood or cross fingers?

[MLW]

Quote

 

Funny enough, modern cars are very sensitive to iffy batteries. If they are less than perfect, all sorts of issues arise. Probably due to electronics needing a pure, solid 12 v supply.

[DaKa]

Well what do you know, some 6-7 weeks later, my engine management warning light returned yesterday.

My question is whether there is an easy check to establish if I have a problem with my new Battery (Halfords) or, if my alternator is not charging properly (leads/connections/earthing???).

This is the Battery purchased HB072:

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs-blades-batteries/car-batteries/halfords-hb072-lead-acid-12v-car-battery-3-year-guarantee

I'm now wondering if it was right (Halfords confirmed the specification) but I see they also have a Calcium rather than Lead alternative?

At the moment the Battery remains strong (engine turnover at start up is good) and there are no signs of problems while running.

I'm trying to avoid the cost of a trip to the independent Lexus dealer and a scan, but don;t like driving anywhere with a warning light still illuminated. 

[RgrWynne]

Just to put your mind at rest I replaced my Battery with an 072 lead acid, not from Halfords but obviously the same recommended spec. Not had any problems, apart from running down because of lack of use in winter !! It is not expensive to put a code reader on to check, I wouldn’t have thought. As Colin Barber says usually oxygen sensors. Good luck.

[DaKa]

Although disconnecting the Battery again and reconnecting 10 mins later cleared the malfunction warning light, it reappears a few hundred miles later.

I had the Battery tested at Halfords and it was charging better than expected (Big plus and thanks to Halfords as they are sending me a £15 gift voucher o/a having to travel to/from their different stores and Battery advice not being completely right).

I had recently purchased a Yuasa generic fault code reader from eBay (just £27) and can advise the error message was as follows:

P0430 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank2).

E.g. I'm going to have some issues with emissions at MOT. (It's a shame there's no allowance in MOTs for the miles covered annually as for me it's about 3,000).

Can anyone suggest anything other than some Redex and a good run?

I do recall hearing of a flushing system some garages offer but limited availability and expensive - no doubt cheaper than a new Catalyst fitted!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

[MLW]

P0430 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank2).

Could be a lamda sensor that is not allowing the cat to work properly.

You need to find a good Lexus or Toyota independent to delve deeper.

[Herbie]

1 hour ago, MLW said:

You need to find a good Lexus or Toyota independent to delve deeper

With the greatest of respect, that's just rubbish.

Yes, it's a Lexus, but it's still just 'a car' and any reputable and trusted  garage/mechanic does this sort of thing on a daily basis. If the OP's local trusted garage happens to be a Lexus/Toyota specialist then all well and good, but if not then it's no biggie.

[BigBoomer]

P0430 usually means either a leak in the exhaust or a downstream lambda sensor is dying. Mine has P0420 (left bank) and it's definately an exhaust leak. Sounds good 😁

[BigBoomer]

Exhaust leak fixed by PipeCraft in Basildon. I've yet to get underneath it to see what was done, but it's nice and quiet and the P0420 code is no more. 

Back to stealth mode for me. 😎

[DaKa]

I will take it to the chaps at PipeCraft as I've used them a year or so back and they are very reasonable - always difficult to find a time when their ramps aren't occupied though.

They fitted the aftermarket mid to rear exhaust system that others have posted on the forum bought from eBay.

MOT next due in Jan 2020, so sooner rather than later as aside from wanting to keep this car as long as possible, I need the engine management light off just in case there could be another problem. It will soon no longer be a teenager!