dallison

I have posted this a few times in the past few years over on the lexus site and like usual people are pricks like normal


my 99 es has 156k on the clock and runs well. For the past few years i have gotten a flashing trac off and one of the other lights come on.

How it happens;

ONLY, and only when the ac or defroster is on these two lights come on.

In the winter i have the climate control on "auto" with the ac always on to keep the humidity lower. Sometimes i use the front window defroster and have the a/c on also.

It seems like when i hit a certain rpm and a certain outside temp it comes on.

The colder it is, say 15 degrees, the quicker it comes on with lower rpm(when driving). If it is around 32, i need to be pressing the accelerator harder(like merging onto a highway) and then it will come on.


In the summer, the hotter it is the quicker it comes on too. If it is 90 degrees and very humid out it usually comes on quickly. If it is 75-80, again i must press harder(not trying to) and then it comes on.


There aren't any detrimental effects on the mileage or performance when the lights come on.

I don't think that i really want to replace whatever offending sensor, but you never know.

When i shut the car off, the flashing lights go away and there aren't any obd-II codes.

any suggestions?

mrmako

So is the traction control actually shutting off? Maybe something is drawing too much current (a short somewhere)? Hmmmm.

dallison

i'll have to test it next time it happens. There is enough ice out there to spin the tires in that condition.

dallison

When the lights are flashing, the traction control is off. I tested that out this morning. I guess it sounds more like a wheel sensor more than anything. But the odd thing is, it only happens when the ac is on......

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Might be a faulty sensor somewhere.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Definitely sounds like a sensor short. If you have some extra cash it may be worth getting it checked out, but I'm not sure how they will be able to diagnose it if it is intermittent.

dallison

that's what i'm thinking. It doesn't affect driveability at all but it's one of those things that i would like to solve w/o dumping a ton of money into the problem.

Now the bleeding radio lcd does bother me!

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Do you have a Hayne's manual? It might be able to help diagnose the problem. Take it to an Autozone or some place like that and they should be able to read the code from the ODB-II connector. Might want to scour eBay for a cheap used part and perform and remove and replace to see if that fixes the problem.

ankur914

I had something similar to this happen in my moms 98 Camry, The TRAC OFF would flash with the ABS light on (solid light). Prior to that however, the car randomly decided it didnt wanna start, like you stick the key in the ignition, every light turns on, you turn the key, and all the electrical is killed and no ignition. So, i wiggled the positive end on the battery and the car started. After about 10 mins of driving, the TRAC OFF started to flash and the ABS light came on solid. The same thing happened again the next day. Car lights on, turn key, electrical killed, and the TRAC OFF flashing and ABS light on after a few mins of driving.

Driveability was not affected

So later that week, I got off my lazy ass and decided to tighten down the connection. I cleaned off the terminals with steel wool and PB Blaster. Tightened the fuckers on tight this time (dont know why they were loose to begin with...). And so far so good. No lights, no random kill offs.

But i have read that the ABS Light and flashing TRAC OFF is related to the wheel speed sensor. Hope this helps somewhat.

dallison

no codes ever come up. what used part should i replace? steering wheel? driver?

dallison

i have replaced one of these a couple years ago when i replaced the struts. The strut fell on the wire, for some reason i didn't ahve it disconnected or i thought there was enough room.

Unfortunately the dealer had to do it since it had to be pressed in.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

The problem with that is figuring out what caused it. If it does not affect you driving the car, then I would just let it go. The radio can be replaced. Your intent is to get as much out of this car as you can. Just deal with the issues will be my suggestion. If it were falling apart and breaking down every month, then I would say it is time for an upgrade.

dallison

It has been fairly reliable once i did all the maintenance @ around 100k. Those are my thoughts exactly. It should last me another 100k and no car payment.

mrmako

No car payment for the win.....