eleveneleven

Hi All

Music playing though Aux (Aux to USB-C) crackles and cuts out. It seems to be happening more often now to the point where I've just given up playing music from Aux. The ML system is incredible and was a big selling point for me as I'm a music lover so it's a bit of a bummer 

From what I've seen online the issue appears to be one of 2 things, some say its the Amplifier others say its the head unit. 

Just wondering if anyone has had the same issue or has replaced/repaired their amplifier yet? did sound work  after that? is there anything else I can try before I commit to buying a new amp? 

thanks 

I opened the bonnet yesterday to have another look around and noticed the same thing, I wouldn't change the fluid though OP probably best to stick to the manufacturers recommendations, especially when it comes to cooling...

Mine also appears to be a little dirty around the cap area so took a pic and was going to ask here about it just to see if there might be any issues on the Horizon. 

Mine seems to be doing the same, thought it was a little strange how re-circulation mode is the default setting when I turn the car on and it stays there regardless of outside air quality.

I'll add that to the list of things that need looking at....

On 9/18/2021 at 5:02 PM, Mr Vlad said:

Hi Lee, so you have a wire with a 3.5mm jack at one end and a USB C cable at the other. I take it you have the USB c into your phone? 

As for the swaying , that'll probably be the camber in the road or one of the brake calipers is sticking. 

Yes that's right, 3.5 jack to the Aux connector in the car USB C to the phone. 

@texas you're a star mate thank you very much. Does a lot more than I expected! having to be on that particular screen to be able to use the relevant command kind of defeats the purpose, but its still pretty cool.

I have 2 potential issues

I have an Aux to USB C cable in the Aux slot so I can play my music but I've noticed it seems to be cutting out occasionally, some days are worse than others. Had a quick look at the amp in the boot and made sure all the wires were properly connected which they were but it's still doin it. Is this cause for concern? what's the damage for a new amp? 

The car sways to the left at times, more so under hard braking. Tyre pressure/tread levels are all fine any ideas what else to look for? 

Appreciate the reply's guys. 

The Aux slot is occupied 🤦‍♂️ that was pretty much the first thing I did before driving away so that explains that (thanks @AntC) 

Interesting to know about the deadlocks too, hope It never gets tested but nice to know it's there. 

Now that I'm used to the way it drives I'll try the PWR button see how it goes, it could do with a bit more shove so that should be nice. I did notice the previous owner had it on but I thought maybe it was an error and I've read reports of damaged auto transmissions from people leaving the the SNW button activated year round so not knowing what it did I turned it off. 

but yea it's an awesome car really enjoying it so far, it was waay ahead of it's time! 

ahh I have another question... Does anyone know what commands can be used for the voice command system? I've tried saying everything from "aircon off/on" to "volume up/down", nothing seems to work, she'll just respond with something like "that command cant be used here" I'm not bothered as I wont be using it, just curious to know how it works.

After spending the best part of 6 months looking for a GS300 and finding nothing but lemons I decided it was time to widen the search and add the 250 to the list 

I've always admired the 250, my dads had his for over 10 years, 120k miles later nothing major has gone wrong .They are a little small in the back though and I'll be using the car mainly to ferry the kids around which is why is wasn't on my list initially. 

One came up last week, SE (with the multimedia pack,) 80k miles with a Full Lexus service history and receipts. Went to have a look at it and came away very impressed. The car has wanted for nothing but the looks of it. 

I purchased it a few days later 😁

So far I'm certainly not disappointed, to be honest I thought id be settling but it drives just as good as the GS! There's not as much power and the ride is a tad firmer but I can live with that.

It's amazing how well insulated they are though, I cant hear any traffic when I'm inside. 

Gave her a wash/polish yesterday evening, locked the car and stood back to admire my work...got a little closer to to inspect and the lights on the wing mirrors lit up along with the interior light! Nice touch Lexus 😀

Anyway a few questions if I may... 

1. There seems to be what can only be described as a white noise sound coming from the speaker in the drivers side door. I only hear it when there's no music playing and it still does it when I switch the sound system off. Is this normal?

2. What exactly does the PWR button do? 

3. Is it me or does the car seem to lock twice if you press the lock button twice??

Looking forward to many happy miles with this and contributing here as I learn more about the car 

thanks. 

Awesome Pic! 

6 hours ago, steve2006 said:

Sorry guys I may have misled you with a £6K asking price.

Even at £3.5K the chances are £300.00 will not cover the repairs required cost, an AC recharge pre test will no doubt reveal defective components and the VSC “loose wire I haven’t got time to find” suggests it’s a bit more than that.

Play his bluff by telling him to fix all the faults for the full asking price and see what he says then.

My thoughts exactly, My gut is telling me to avoid although part of me wants to get it and just spend the money on putting it right as its the first time I've found one with the colour I've been looking for and half decent ones seem to be few and far between these days. 

think I'm going to be sensible about this though and walk away...

Thanks for the advice everyone its much appreciated, The Lexus search continues...

44 minutes ago, JDM-Fiend said:

I've only just realised, so the car in question is about £6k?

 

That's crazy money for a MK3 GS, I should know as I now have 2.

 

It should be near perfect for that kind of money if I'm honest.

No £6k is my budget, the car was £3,800 but dealer was willing to knock off £300 to cover the cost of the faults so £3,500  

13 hours ago, steve2006 said:

If the indicator trim is missing fair enough it may be just cosmetic.

”A loose connection” after the VSC was checked, I’ve personally never seen any code reader that tells you that specific information before, if it’s just a loose wire why doesn’t the dealer tighten it up then?

Have you checked the MOT history via the gov.uk website?

Has it been HPI checked?

If you were spending £1K on a “banger” I would expect some problems but at £6K retail?

All good points mate. He said his mechanic said "its a few hours labour to find the bad connection" and he's convinced that the aircon just needs re-gassing. 
reckons it'll be about £300 to put right, and its willing to knock that off the price (so £3.5k in total which does sound very tempting) but you guys are right, if he's not willing to put his money where his month is I don't think I am either... 

Shame really as the car drove beautifully and it's the colour I've been looking for.

Looks like it'll have to be the IS250...

14 hours ago, steve2006 said:

Is this a private sale or from a motor dealer?

The VSC could be a multitude of things from the fuel cap seal to O2 sensors, reading the codes should provide clues to the actual cause.

AC could again be many things usually condenser due to exposed condition, compressor or other items.

Paint bubbling is worrying, is this a sign of a poor previous repair.

Indicator cover missing....MOT fail therefore unroadworthy?

Personally I would walk away...something better will come up 😀

 

Car comes from a dealer. 

With the indicator cover I'm referring to is that tiny little plastic part that covers the indicator light around the wheel arch area, not sure if that would affect MOT? 

Not sounding too great so far then...had another browse through here yesterday and someone mentioned Lexus wanted £630 for the condenser is an IS250 and another £60 for re-gassing

On the plus side the dealer got back to me (as i'm typing this) and said he had the VSC checked and "its showing as a loose connection" Not entirely sure what this means and how much that'll cost but I'll check with him  

Thanks Chan, appreciated, 

Was hoping it would just need re gassing but definitely cause for concern then if it could be something potentially more expensive to fix. The buyer did say the previous owner had only driven it 800 miles last year and traded it in with him for something smaller so I guess that ties in. 

I'll have a look at yours but Kent is out of reach for me to be honest. Congrats on the 430 by the way would love to scratch my V8 itch at some point. 

Any ideas what the VSC issue could be? 

Hi All, I'm new here been lurking for a while though seems like a great place. 

I've been on the hunt for a GS300  for a while now. Always had a soft spot for Lexus although never owned one, My dad has a 2010 IS250 with 120k miles and it still sounds/drives like the day he bought it. I like both models but the IS is a tad small so I'm leaning more towards the GS

The problem is finding a good GS for under 6k is proving to be challenging...

I've been to see  a few over the last month and all have turned out to be quite disappointing to be honest, but I went to view one today (06 plate SE-L) which turned out to be half decent. After a good inspection this is what I found. 

The Good 
+ Full service history, last service being Feb 2021 (mixture of Lexus, and independent dealer) 
+ Headlights are in good condition no yellowing
+ Wheels are in great condition.  
+ Sounds/Drives A1 no squeaks/rattles, gearbox smooth as silk, brakes feel sharp 
+ 4 matching tyres with stacks of tread 

The Bad 
- Air con wasn't working (blowing out hot air) 
- Ventilated seats weren't blowing as cold as they usually do
- The controls for the electric windows (driver side) wont allow me to open/close the back windows (but the back window controls work fine)
- Some Paint bubbling spots on the lip of the bonnet
- Indicator cover on passenger side missing.
- proof of service history and MOT but no recipes for any previous work (if any) carried out. 

The Ugly 
- A message popped up mid drive "Check VSC" (see attached image) The seller said it comes and goes but it seemed to stay there throughout the time I was looking at the car 

That being said I have some questions/concerns 

The price is pretty good, it's the colour I wanted both inside & out and I could probably get him to budge a little more on price. The buyer wants to sell it as is,  so I'm wondering if it would it be worth just getting it and sorting out the faults? 

What is VSC and how much will that set me back to put right? wouldn't want to spend more than £600 to put everything right. is that a possibility? 

How worried do I need to be with it being an 06? I've heard the horror stories of engines needing rebuilds due to carbon build up so ideally wanted an 07 upwards. 
am I rolling the dice here, would I be better off just waiting for a newer one? 

Let me know what you guys think, if this one doesn't pass the forum smell test think i'll have to stop the search and settle for an IS250. there's a lovely one near me for sale with 80k miles and full Lexus history.