billygarrett

I purchased a new RX400H last September and in general have been very pleased with my purchase.

Shortly after purchase however, I had a fault appear in the display on the dashboard which said 'check Hybrid system' and 'check VSC system', along with all the warning lights. The RAC (Lexus Assist warranty scheme) came out to check the fault and accessed the above fault code P3016 and were able to cancel the fault. Howver, the fault recurred on my way back that evening and the car was taken to the Lexus dealers who I understand changed out a sensor in a cell of one of the batteries.

The fault recurred a few times after that -between September and November - but each time either the RAC cancelled it and it stayed off, or it appeared and subsequently disappeared without any intervention. The car appeared to drive perfectly normally, even with the fault code up; perhaps because of this the service section at the dealership did not appear to consider it prejudicial or a safety hazard for me to continue to drive the car.

From November until last week, the fault never recurred. However, last week the fault re-appeared while driving on the motorway and quite scarily, shortly after that the vehicle lost power and cut out.

The RAC came out and once again were able to cancel the fault and the car appeared to be driveable. However, I had it recovered to the dealers who have had it for a week and have not been able to repeat the problem. They say they have never encountered the particular fault code, previously.

I'd be interested to know from anyone who has had this fault come up and the solution if you or your service company found a solution to the problem.

Thanking you in advance for your time in responding.

Brian

Hi Brian

You seem to have exactly the same problem as I did. But the RAC were unable to cancel mine and I had a warning tone screeching at me making it unbearable to drive. However it didn't show any code number as far as I can remember.

Lexus Newcastle were very helpful but it ended after 6 months with me REJECTING the car and they persuaded Lexus to replace it with a brand new one in September with which I am very happy.

( I am now a bit nervous as it is the same age as yours). Does your model play DVD's on the front screeen?

They thought the fault was caused by water getting into the system where I had the roof rails removed, but I doubt it and even more so now if you have the same problem

I would reject the car if I were you. Do let me know how you get on.

Billy

I got a real bad knocking noise out of my Lexus last summer after about 2000 miles. It sounded like metal hitting metal and only happened at low speeds especially on speed bumps.

I went crazy checking wheel nuts and poking around with the heat baffles around the exhaust as I was convinced it was coming from under the car. Got my hands dirty and everything. Even thought the wife may have driven it over a kerb or something...

Took it to Lexus with the vague "it makes a clunking sound when I go over a bump" complaint, fully expecting them to say nothings wrong and go and live with it.

How wrong I was - it was the DVD player under the drivers seat that had come loose.

I am sorry yours didnt turn out to be the same.

Simple solution :)

Thta's a relief!

However mine doesn't have a DVD under the seat. Cheap version !!!

My RX300 does the same. I need to go ocer 13 speed bumps a quarter of a mile road before getting home and I have noticed that if I go over the bumps in a certain way then I can hear the thud noise.

My Rx400h was delivered in October 2006. I have nearly 4000 miles on it.

I frquently drive on bumpy country roads but I haven't had the noise you describe.

It developed a groaning/croaking noise on the bumps around February time similar to tah I used to get on the old minis in the 1970's. That was cured by throwing a bucket of water at the ball joints! :)

The dealer has recently lubricated the suspension and it seems ok now.

So not all cars are affected with your problem... I hope!!

I got a Westafalia detachable towbar from Towequipe (www.towequipe.com) and got a single electrics kit from Lexus Aberdeen - installation was a doddle, audible alarm is fitted in the luggage area with the relays. No dashboard light.

Cost of towbar £300 cost of electrics ~£60 fitting one man, one day

That sounds a much better deal than mine! half price!!Well done!

B)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(T7RY B @ Apr 3 2007, 02:46 PM) ←</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->

According to my manual this should be fuse No.41(20 amp)Which is located in the inside of the car

4th row along to the right and 4 rows down (Rear window & outside rear view mirror defogger)

Terry

Thank you - I will check this out tonight.

Do you also know what the 'Trailer' fuse is meant to do? I have installed a Lexus-supplied tow-bar and electrics package (pretty straightforward) but have now spotted this Fuse location (no fuse in it), when looking for the problem with my rear screen. It was not mentioned at all in the install instructions.

Hi I have just replied to the same question in my posting re Trailer electrics. No there is no fuse in the Trailer fuse slot!

Regards

Billy

Thank you for the reply - I will try this out with my trailer board to see if it also does this.

Hopefully someone will be along to answer the 'Trailer' Fuse question.

Sorry forgot that bit. There is no fuse fitted in mine either.

My dealer told me the fuse is an in-line fuse and is located inside the lining of the boot under the left (I think) rear quarter light.

He said Lexus told him to put it there as it is not intended to be user replaceable.

I think that is very strange and worrying if a fuse goes when a bulb blows when you are miles from home or a dealer and it is midnight!!!

Btw my dealer fitted a detachable towbar for me. I think the cost was approx £600. But it saves my shins when I am loading the boot!

Billy

I accidentally stumbled on VROOM VROOM on Sunda 21 Jan 06. I never heard of it but it looked fun.

I had missed part of it but found they were doing various tests throughhout the programme on the 400h which gave very favourable results. I think it is repeat from last August, but it mentions driving without traction control.

I belive it will be repeated on 27 Jan at 21:00 and 28 Jan at 17:00 and possibly 3 Feb at 21:00 but I think that one is a new programme.

I watch it on Freeview but it may be on Sky satellite as well.

Enjoy!

Billy

Had my RX 400h for 48hours and I have 2 issues :

Front parking sensor beeping continuously for no reason :duh: .

My dealer (Lexus Newcastle) found it impossible to make my front sensors work properly. They were part of a double kit for front and rear.

In desperation he fitted a single kit designed for front only and now works fine.

(But the warning tone is far too loud for me. Does anyone know where the buzzer is fitted)

It seems there is a problem with the double kits but the single kits are ok.

I hope this helps.

Hi All,

400h now 10 months old, 11000 miles.

I have noticed that no matter how hard I try, I can no longer fill the drive batteries to 8/8 bars - most I can get is 7/8 which is acheived easily and very often.

We I first got the car, 8/8 was possible, if not probable as the car use the batteries more when they are full, so I never stayed on 8/8 for long.

I've tried to top the batteries off - accelerate to high speed and slow down gently recharging etc etc, but 8/8 seems impossible now.

Dealer clueless as usual on such matters.

I wondered what others thoughts/experiences were to date.

I've confirmed with the dealer batteries have 5 year warranty, so I'm not worried!

Cheers

Jon

I was LED to belive there is at least 8 years warranty on the Battery....

I feel rally embarrassed asking this

I have always done my own servicing for the last 40+ years and was brought up in a garage!

BUT I just cannot see where the oil filter is located.

So if some one knows how to reach it and remove it, do please tell me :)

I know I have to take it for official servicing at the appropriate time, but I like to change oil and filter more often than that. (Round 6000 miles ) esp as the nearest dealer is Bradford at 70 miles away!!

Today I changed the oil and had to abandon the filter for the moment. The oil change was dead easy when I finally located a funnel :)

But it has only done 1200 miles so it should be ok for now.I would have changed it at 500 miles but lifei sjust manic at the moment and today was the first chance I had!!

Thanks

Billy

have a look at your e-mail. i have send you some pictures out of the german LOC showing the oilfilte location.

Got it. Thank you. :)

B)-->

Hi Terry,

I notice you have a perspex wind cover on your drivers door.

Do you find it reduces wind noise?

I have a lot of noise on bothe front door windows.

Does anyone ekse suffer from wind.. in the car I mean :)

Billy

I feel rally embarrassed asking this

I have always done my own servicing for the last 40+ years and was brought up in a garage!

BUT I just cannot see where the oil filter is located.

So if some one knows how to reach it and remove it, do please tell me :)

I know I have to take it for official servicing at the appropriate time, but I like to change oil and filter more often than that. (Round 6000 miles ) esp as the nearest dealer is Bradford at 70 miles away!!

Today I changed the oil and had to abandon the filter for the moment. The oil change was dead easy when I finally located a funnel :)

But it has only done 1200 miles so it should be ok for now.I would have changed it at 500 miles but lifei sjust manic at the moment and today was the first chance I had!!

Thanks

Billy

hi,

Where did you get seat covers and spoiler for RX300?

I also need them. please help. I have RX300 2002.

regards

Hi, I don't know if this applies to RX300, but you must not fit seat covers to the RX 400h if they cover the sides where the airbags are fitted. Othersies they can't inflate properly.

I have a pair of sheepskins on the front seats but they are not fastened in.

Billy

thanks to Steve!!! the file upload is working now.

a special thanks to billygarrett who helped to prepare this documentation.

so who ever likes please download enclosed .pdf file.

please note that this documentation was done on a RX400h model 2006 with steering weel on the left side.

regards

williz

Instructions__for_Bluetooth_Hands_free_and_Navigation_system_enabling.pdf

I notice there has been 162 downloads so far.

Hopefully you all found it useful.

Has anyone experinced any detrimental effects with this modification?

Any warranty issues from your dealers or Lexus?

I will take this deafening silence as a big "NO" to both questions as the number of downloads is increasing.:)

That is good to know!!

Regards

Billy

Hi All,

I finally got time to do this mod on my 2007 RX 400h and here are my results.

I started with the SatNav override mod. That was easy and works well.

I now know that the connector is located on the r/h (driver's side) as shown in Williz' document. (We didn't know for sure). However it is not marked F2 but F7. However the connections are the same as described.

I cut the wire and soldere a new thin wire from an ethernet cable to each end and soldered the other ends to a dpdt switch. which was fitted to my secret position.

I then started on the Bluetooth and DVD mod with which I failed :(

I did succeed in getting the radio out after spending ages locating the 2 "hidden" bolts (10 mm socket).

They are located on each side of the radio approx 100 mm fromm the front face and very high up so you need to get your head as low as possible so you can just barely see them. I loosend them with a socket and was in serious danger of dropping them. So I used my long "pickup" gadget with 4 claws to grip the bolts and screw them out. I was very relieved to see them come out without dropping them!! Without this gadget or a similar magnet tool I would definitely have dropped them inside.

So when I got to the plugs in the back of the LCD screen unit, I found to my disappointment that the connections were different from that shown in our instructions pdf.

I took picture of it, but I can't figure out how to attach it to this message.

I will forward it to you Willi fyi and maybe you can figure it out please?

Thanks.

Billy

thanks to Steve!!! the file upload is working now.

a special thanks to billygarrett who helped to prepare this documentation.

so who ever likes please download enclosed .pdf file.

please note that this documentation was done on a RX400h model 2006 with steering weel on the left side.

regards

williz

Instructions__for_Bluetooth_Hands_free_and_Navigation_system_enabling.pdf

I notice there has been 162 downloads so far.

Hopefully you all found it useful.

Has anyone experinced any detrimental effects with this modification?

Any warranty issues from your dealers or Lexus?

I will take this deafening silence as a big "NO" to both questions as the number of downloads is increasing.:)

That is good to know!!

Regards

Billy

thanks to Steve!!! the file upload is working now.

a special thanks to billygarrett who helped to prepare this documentation.

so who ever likes please download enclosed .pdf file.

please note that this documentation was done on a RX400h model 2006 with steering weel on the left side.

regards

williz

Instructions__for_Bluetooth_Hands_free_and_Navigation_system_enabling.pdf

I notice there has been 162 downloads so far.

Hopefully you all found it useful.

Has anyone experinced any detrimental effects with this modification?

Any warranty issues from your dealers or Lexus?

......(snipped)......

Where would you fit that engine heater?

Which model did you get?

Does it draw power from the 12 v battery?

If so how much? Is there any danger of flattening the battery when it is running in the garage?

Regards

Billy

A couple of points which may only have peripheral importance.

Years ago there was a heater on the market that required a small section, 2 or 3 inches, to be cut out of the bottom radiator hose. The heater was fitted therein with a couple of Jubilee Clips. The power lead from this LED to a three pin socket in a convenient place; somewhere that would be easily noticed as you leapt into the car in the morning whilst still in a sleepy stupour. Mains powered, obviously, but drew only about 250 watts. The heater body was available in various sizes to accomodate varying diameter hoses.

Secondly, in my RX300 I've noticed that petrol consumption goes up when the climate control is in use and working hard. On a hot day it suffers by the equivalence of about three miles per gallon.

Thanks for that.

I can picture what you mean as I had a windscreen washer heater that worked on the same principle in the top rad hose on my Saab 9000. I did wonder wwhy did no one make it. But from what you say they did make it!! I missed seeing one though.

However, I better not cut my hoses just yet as the car is only a month old :)

To all,

Thanks a lot for your inputs.

Knowing this problem is real, and no body from Lexus has never mentioned this fact (at least to me), don't you think we could ask to Lexus to solve it at in own charge, at least during warranty period ?

first i think it is common knowledge that cold engines are using more gas than a warm one, second what should lexus do about this fact? you can install a heater (webasto is working very good) or park your car in a heated garage during winter time. but in any case you will use more energy in the cold part of the year whether it is a hybrid or a simple gas engine driven car.

Hi Willi

I agree. I have always found tha to be the case.

Where would you fit that engine heater?

Which model did you get?

Does it draw power from the 12 v Battery?

If so how much? Is there any danger of flattening the Battery when it is running in the garage?

Regards

Billy

I think Kenlowe are the only people in the UK with this type of product.

I purchased an older version of the product for my GS but never installed it due to lack of space in the engine bay. The newer model is smaller but take care to make sure it will fit before purchasing.

The element in the engine block are really just to stop the coolant freezing and cracking the block. The Kewlowe system brings the coolant up to near normal temperature in about an hour and if you find an installer who really knows what they are doing you can get the interior fans to come on part way through to defrost the windows.

Thanks for that.

Will do some research and will also need to check it doesn't affect my warranty.

If all is well I will definitely get one :(

Thank you for your help

Billy

sounds like you cant wait for oktober?

question is how the rest of us are getting a new car by then?

williz

Yeah, I know. That's the bad part :(

I can't see them recalling all the cars for upgrades, but maybe. You never know....

Yeah, this time last year I couldn't wait to get my new car in September.

Now I am doing it all again and waiting till October!!!

In the meantime I have to use my wifes pram..the Citroen C3!!

Oh,... and I believe they willl also have 5.1 stereo sound! :)

Billy

and i forgot some thing!

all new models will get "Snow Button" (like the new GS450h) to be able to shutt off "Electronic Traction Control" but i am not shure if this will be alreday in your car when delivered in Oktober.

williz

Sounds promising. Thanks Williz :)

No. I am afraid it isn't in my 2007 model. Maybe January models...:(

I wonder is there a simple way of heating the engine without a major cabin installation?

My 1988 Saab 9000 had an optional mains electrical heating element (like a kettle) which I fitted into the side of the engine block.

It was on a time switch and I always had a preheated engine in the mornings for the last 18 years!

Not any more with my double price Rx 400h :(

I think the product you are referring to is called Kenlowe Hot Start but how easy it is to retro-fit to the 400h I don't know.

Basically it is a pump and heating element you install into your cars water system which you plug into your household mains electricity last thing at night. Then as you say you have it set on a timer so that it heats up your water before you start on your journey.

Thanks. That is exactly what I mean.

I found details on : http://www.kenlowe.com/pre-heaters/cars/diy.html

Does anyone have experince of fotting this on an RX 350 or 400?

If so where and how?!!

Are there any other makes of this type of product?

I wonder is there a simple way of heating the engine without a major cabin installation?

My 1988 Saab 9000 had an optional mains electrical heating element (like a kettle) which I fitted into the side of the engine block.

It was on a time switch and I always had a preheated engine in the mornings for the last 18 years!

Not any more with my double price Rx 400h :(

I think the product you are referring to is called Kenlowe Hot Start but how easy it is to retro-fit to the 400h I don't know.

Basically it is a pump and heating element you install into your cars water system which you plug into your household mains electricity last thing at night. Then as you say you have it set on a timer so that it heats up your water before you start on your journey.

Sorry about typo on last posting !!!

Thanks. That is exactly what I mean.

I found details on : http://www.kenlowe.com/pre-heaters/cars/diy.html

Does anyone have experince of fitting this on an RX 350 or 400?

If so where and how?!!

Are there any other makes of this type of product?

Not sure but i want to know the answer too!

In the RX 400 there is a switch inside the door pillar to turn it off.

Take a look at this link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Featu...cleId=116536#10

They've designed it already!!! But it's going to be bigger (seven seats) and of course more expensive!

But why do most of their pictures of RX cars show them without roof rails when they are fitted as standard?

I had to pay £100 to have them removed!! A simple job if I had known at the time!

Just picked up my 350 SEL yesterday so can agree with all of your comments. Only slight annoyance is that I have driven saloons so not used to having luggage in the cabin. Spent first half hour hearing "rattles" that were just my shopping moving about!! :)

This RX is actually a replacement for GS 430 with dash rattles so I was extra pleased to find Bracknell fitted parking sensors, transfered plate and supplied boot liner and bumper guard free of charge.

So I have only done 27 miles but I'm happy so far :D

BTW - not sure if this was covered in another post but can you put MP3s onto DVD for the MM system or will it only read CDs????

I haven't tried it on DVD but I believe from the manual it plays mp3's.

It will read DVD movies. I watched one today while my wife was shopping!!

BUT make sure you leave the system on "READY" so that the auxiliary 12 v Battery doesn't go flat!!

Forgot to mention the foglight bulb hadn't blown. They had left the connector off! It took me half an hour to sus out how to get at it and put it all back.

You need a 10mm socket, Flat blade screwdriver (To remove the press studs) and a 3mm (I think) Allen key to remove the fixings to lift back the plastic cover behind the bumper under the wheel arch. I had it on ramps with the n/s wheel turned to the laft to give me room to work.

Hopefully I won't have to change those foglight bulbs very often :)

However, there must be a wiring fault with te trailer socket as there is no power to the tail lights.

Only the indicators are working, So I better not take the trailer out at night

I will leave it to the experts to sort it next time they have it there.

Just picked up my 350 SEL yesterday so can agree with all of your comments. Only slight annoyance is that I have driven saloons so not used to having luggage in the cabin. Spent first half hour hearing "rattles" that were just my shopping moving about!! :)

This RX is actually a replacement for GS 430 with dash rattles so I was extra pleased to find Bracknell fitted parking sensors, transfered plate and supplied boot liner and bumper guard free of charge.

So I have only done 27 miles but I'm happy so far :D

BTW - not sure if this was covered in another post but can you put MP3s onto DVD for the MM system or will it only read CDs????

I haven't tried it on DVD but I believe from the manual it plays mp3's.

It will read DVD movies. I watched one today while my wife was shopping!!

BUT make sure you leave the system on "READY" so that the auxiliary 12 v Battery doesn't go flat!!