Unexpected Benefit From Main Dealer Visit

[Colin M]

I visited a Lexus main dealer initially to get a spare key programmed for my 1996 LS400 (which they were unable to do but put me in touch with someone who could) and, while I was there, I enquired about the cost of looking into a charging fault which had just arisen on my 1997 car.

I decided to bring the car in for them to look into the charging fault, which turned out to be a good move as the fault was not easily diagnosed. It was an intermittent fault with the alternator, not discovered on initial removal and testing and only apparent after a further removal and testing. Fitting a reconditioned unit sourced by the dealer sorted the problem (new units not being available).

So, what was the unexpected benefit from the visit? Well, when I went to pick the car up I was told that when the car was logged onto the computer system an outstanding Starter Motor Recall came up. The Lexus Warranty Department, when contacted, indicated that new parts, including a new solenoid, should be fitted by the dealer to the starter motor at no cost to the customer.

The parts were duly ordered and when they arrived the car was booked in for the starter motor to be removed, new parts fitted and starter motor then refitted. As many of you will know, removal of the starter motor is not a small job as it is located in the V section between the two banks of cylinders.

Doing the work went over into a second day and, while the dealer had the car, I was given a courtesy car to drive. This was a CT200h, so I had the chance to see what driving a hybrid was like. It enjoyed driving it but was pleased to get back behind the wheel of the LS when it was ready to collect.

I have the service history on the LS and there is nothing to indicate that any work has ever been done on the starter motor, which seems to have been starting the car fine for all of its 215,000 miles. But inevitably there must have been some wear on the solenoid contacts, so the opportunity of getting a new solenoid fitted for free was too good to turn down. Well done to Lexus for doing the work under the Warranty Scheme! I wonder how many other manufacturers would have done this on a 17 year old car.

Hopefully, with the new parts fitted, the starter motor will continue to start the car for the next 215,000 miles (and if I am still driving it then that will be even better) ...

[Malc]

wow, brilliant ............. . do you know when the recall was initiated for your car and does it extend to ALL Mk3's I wonder ?

Malc

[Colin M]

No, Malc, I don't.

I planned to ask the service manager when I collected the car but he was not there.

I asked his assistant who looked on the system and said that there was no indication of the date of the recall, But he did say that the recall was valid until 2020, so it does not look as though it runs out anytime soon!

I guess it will depend on whether cars have been taken back in the past for the recall work to be done. Presumably if they have, the recall then disappears off the system.

When I took my other LS in for the key programming, it was logged onto the computer and there was no mention of any recall work outstanding for that car.

For some reason, my 1997 car must not have been taken back for the starter motor recall work, so it still showed up on the system.

It is certainly worth getting your car checked on the system if you can - you never know, you might have the same good fortune that I had.

[Malc]

I shall, thanks .... since looked at another site and the Mk3 Ls400 recall for the starter motor was in Feb 1998 .......... I'll ask my local Lexus Main Dealer quite soon ! ....... ... although Lexus Hatfield replaced the cambelt in 2007 with no mention ...... so maybe it was done prior sometime.

I'll ask anyway.

Thanks

Malc

[ambermarine]

Fabulous result and shows the benefits of using the Lexus dealerships to service the cars.

[Colin M]

Following Malc's reference to the recall being in February 1998, I have had a look online to see if I could find out why there was a recall.

I have discovered the reason for the recall was as follows:

DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE TERMINAL FOR THE STARTER MOTOR MAGNETIC SWITCH, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR IF ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE LIQUID, SUCH AS ROAD SPLASH WITH DEICING SALT, ENTERS THIS AREA.

According to one website (http://www.arfc.org/autos/lexus/ls400/recalls/000008519000074548000000204/recall.aspx), the recall relates to vehicles manufactured between 4/3/1995 and 6/4/1997 (47,525 vehicles).