2001 Ls430 Electrical Issues

[mikethebike]

Hi,

I have just aquired a 2001 LS430, and have what I now think are some serious electrical issues.

the car starts and drives beautifully, had it mechanically checked by an independant and it all looks good, full main dealer history (apart from last two at toyota independant, car has done 160K).....however....

A lot of the electrics do not work:

All windows work from their local switches

Air con and electric seats all work

Radio and sat nav all work

Air con works

None of the remote operations work on the drivers door (mem seat, other windows etc

The electric mirrors do not work

Steering wheel adjustment does not work

Rear seat functions do not work (control of radio works fine from rear seat)

Central locking does not work

Trunk release (from switch or remote) and petrol cap release do not work

Also, on inspection inside the boot, someone has disconnected what appears to be the alarm cable under the left hand side cover in the boot. When I reconnect this and start the car, the alarm goes off.

It has the "smart-key" system, so not sure if the car has got confused as the whether its locked or unlocked?

I tried disabling the smart-key function (under the driver dash, but still the same).

I disconnected the batter for about and hour and reconnected...still the same issues.

Any ideas where to start? I am thinking a visit to a main agent is my only option?

Thanks in advance...

Cheers

Mick

[steve2006]

I recently has the same symptoms on a late model LS400 and sorted it by disconnecting then reconnecting the drivers door ECU.

You will have to remove the door panel to gain access but if it is the similar the ECU will be mounted on the door towards the front.

I would also check all the fuses both interior and in the engine bay.

As for the fuel and boot releases make sure (again if similar to the LS400) the lock has not been set between the buttons.

[mikethebike]

Thanks Steve.

The lock between the button is released.

I have also checked all fuses in engine bay, footwells and boot...there are quite a few!

Will try to get the panel off and do that, and report back.

I think the car has been left for some time (judging by the musty smell), but there is no water ingress, so thats one good thing :)

Gotta say, I had an old GS300 a while back, and the LS430 is a completely different beast to drive....cannot believe how much car you get for the money, and it seems almost over engineered, in a good way.

Just out of interest, if it turns out to be the unit that is unplugged in the boot, is it a simple case of swapping it out with one from a same year car thats being broken up, or is that where the brains for the smart-key etc are stored and specific to the car?

Edited October 7, 2013 by mikethebike

[mikethebike]

Had local Lexus agent have a look, turns out to be a short in one of the ECUs has disabled a bunch of stuff. Parts and labour £400.

Will have a chat with them tomorrow to see which ECU was at fault...may be of interest for others with simliar issues.

Mick

[mikethebike]

Turns out it was a short on a circuit board above the interior light in the roof above the rear view mirror.

Hands up those that would have found it? I never would have, and suspect an auto-electrician would spend weeks finding it.

All working a treat now though.

Mick

[steve2006]

Thanks for coming back with the solution, that would have been a challenge to find.

Did Lexus know of a problem with the faulty unit or was it perfect diagnosis.

[mikethebike]

Hi Steve,

apparently the guy at Guildford Lexus is their electrical guru, and the speed with which he diagnosed the problem I dont doubt it.

He said its the first time he has seen an issue with that particular component, so it seems it just perfect diags.

I did ask if could have been caused by damp or water ingress through the sunroof, and he said it wasnt, the circuit board had just developed a short.

Mick