Discussion:
Intermittant Electrical Problems
(too old to reply)
mcbrue
2008-01-19 18:04:43 UTC
Permalink
Whee! Intermittant electrical problems - the great joy of the
electricized and datacized car. This is especialy true for the Lexus
brand owners as Lexus does not cover some of these problems with its
new car warranty. One problem is that sometimes - and no, I can't nail
"when" down - the right front bumper sensor goes off. Real irritating.
And then after a couple of days it stops and runs properly. This is
the famous detector that was doing this and Lexus said that it would
not be covered by warranty. However, after taking it out of the shop,
it ran properly. So it has reappeared a few times, for a couple of
days each time. And now I have the automatic wiper taking a swipe or
two at the windshield and then stopping. This wiper problem has
surfaced after driving the car over roads that have been coated with
salt brine, but none is visible on the windshield. Of course the
wipers don't clean the cheapo glass right anyway, but the sensor area
seems to be clear. Gosh, this sure is a lovely experience owing this
car! The banging jerking tranny and the grinding, jerking brakes do
provide some distraction from the electrical misbehaviour, though. The
car is a 2006 430 LS ultra. Any ideas on the electrical problems? This
car did have to have its $7000 radar unit replaced so the cruise
control would work.
DaveW
2008-01-19 20:43:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by mcbrue
Whee! Intermittant electrical problems - the great joy of the
electricized and datacized car. This is especialy true for the Lexus
brand owners as Lexus does not cover some of these problems with its
new car warranty. One problem is that sometimes - and no, I can't nail
"when" down - the right front bumper sensor goes off. Real irritating.
And then after a couple of days it stops and runs properly. This is
the famous detector that was doing this and Lexus said that it would
not be covered by warranty. However, after taking it out of the shop,
it ran properly. So it has reappeared a few times, for a couple of
days each time. And now I have the automatic wiper taking a swipe or
two at the windshield and then stopping. This wiper problem has
surfaced after driving the car over roads that have been coated with
salt brine, but none is visible on the windshield. Of course the
wipers don't clean the cheapo glass right anyway, but the sensor area
seems to be clear. Gosh, this sure is a lovely experience owing this
car! The banging jerking tranny and the grinding, jerking brakes do
provide some distraction from the electrical misbehaviour, though. The
car is a 2006 430 LS ultra. Any ideas on the electrical problems? This
car did have to have its $7000 radar unit replaced so the cruise
control would work.
Here is the real question: My current Lexus is my fifth, and I've been
in and out of this newsgroup for at least 7 or 8 years, and it seems
like you've been here since way back then. Every post you've ever made
here is whining and complaining about the cost, service, quality and
reliability of these cars. So how is it that you own an '06 Lexus,
when you knew so long before that what horrible cars they are?
j***@hotmail.com
2008-01-20 02:40:13 UTC
Permalink
It's pretty bad that things like this isn't covered under warranty!!
So much for Lexus service.
Post by mcbrue
Whee! Intermittant electrical problems - the great joy of the
electricized and datacized car. This is especialy true for the Lexus
brand owners as Lexus does not cover some of these problems with its
new car warranty. One problem is that sometimes - and no, I can't nail
"when" down - the right front bumper sensor goes off. Real irritating.
And then after a couple of days it stops and runs properly. This is
the famous detector that was doing this and Lexus said that it would
not be covered by warranty. However, after taking it out of the shop,
it ran properly. So it has reappeared a few times, for a couple of
days each time. And now I have the automatic wiper taking a swipe or
two at the windshield and then stopping. This wiper problem has
surfaced after driving the car over roads that have been coated with
salt brine, but none is visible on the windshield. Of course the
wipers don't clean the cheapo glass right anyway, but the sensor area
seems to be clear. Gosh, this sure is a lovely experience owing this
car! The banging jerking tranny and the grinding, jerking brakes do
provide some distraction from the electrical misbehaviour, though. The
car is a 2006 430 LS ultra. Any ideas on the electrical problems? This
car did have to have its $7000 radar unit replaced so the cruise
control would work.
Ray O
2008-01-20 05:47:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by mcbrue
Whee! Intermittant electrical problems - the great joy of the
electricized and datacized car. This is especialy true for the Lexus
brand owners as Lexus does not cover some of these problems with its
new car warranty. One problem is that sometimes - and no, I can't nail
"when" down - the right front bumper sensor goes off. Real irritating.
And then after a couple of days it stops and runs properly. This is
the famous detector that was doing this and Lexus said that it would
not be covered by warranty. However, after taking it out of the shop,
it ran properly. So it has reappeared a few times, for a couple of
days each time. And now I have the automatic wiper taking a swipe or
two at the windshield and then stopping. This wiper problem has
surfaced after driving the car over roads that have been coated with
salt brine, but none is visible on the windshield. Of course the
wipers don't clean the cheapo glass right anyway, but the sensor area
seems to be clear. Gosh, this sure is a lovely experience owing this
car! The banging jerking tranny and the grinding, jerking brakes do
provide some distraction from the electrical misbehaviour, though. The
car is a 2006 430 LS ultra. Any ideas on the electrical problems? This
car did have to have its $7000 radar unit replaced so the cruise
control would work.
Getting the car washed will stop both problems.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
DaveW
2008-01-22 00:50:46 UTC
Permalink
On Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:47:02 -0600, "Ray O"
Post by Ray O
Post by mcbrue
Whee! Intermittant electrical problems - the great joy of the
electricized and datacized car. This is especialy true for the Lexus
brand owners as Lexus does not cover some of these problems with its
new car warranty. One problem is that sometimes - and no, I can't nail
"when" down - the right front bumper sensor goes off. Real irritating.
And then after a couple of days it stops and runs properly. This is
the famous detector that was doing this and Lexus said that it would
not be covered by warranty. However, after taking it out of the shop,
it ran properly. So it has reappeared a few times, for a couple of
days each time. And now I have the automatic wiper taking a swipe or
two at the windshield and then stopping. This wiper problem has
surfaced after driving the car over roads that have been coated with
salt brine, but none is visible on the windshield. Of course the
wipers don't clean the cheapo glass right anyway, but the sensor area
seems to be clear. Gosh, this sure is a lovely experience owing this
car! The banging jerking tranny and the grinding, jerking brakes do
provide some distraction from the electrical misbehaviour, though. The
car is a 2006 430 LS ultra. Any ideas on the electrical problems? This
car did have to have its $7000 radar unit replaced so the cruise
control would work.
Getting the car washed will stop both problems.
Occam's Razor!
David Z
2008-01-20 12:56:33 UTC
Permalink
It must suck being you.
Post by mcbrue
Whee! Intermittant electrical problems - the great joy of the
electricized and datacized car. This is especialy true for the Lexus
brand owners as Lexus does not cover some of these problems with its
new car warranty. One problem is that sometimes - and no, I can't nail
"when" down - the right front bumper sensor goes off. Real irritating.
And then after a couple of days it stops and runs properly. This is
the famous detector that was doing this and Lexus said that it would
not be covered by warranty. However, after taking it out of the shop,
it ran properly. So it has reappeared a few times, for a couple of
days each time. And now I have the automatic wiper taking a swipe or
two at the windshield and then stopping. This wiper problem has
surfaced after driving the car over roads that have been coated with
salt brine, but none is visible on the windshield. Of course the
wipers don't clean the cheapo glass right anyway, but the sensor area
seems to be clear. Gosh, this sure is a lovely experience owing this
car! The banging jerking tranny and the grinding, jerking brakes do
provide some distraction from the electrical misbehaviour, though. The
car is a 2006 430 LS ultra. Any ideas on the electrical problems? This
car did have to have its $7000 radar unit replaced so the cruise
control would work.
Anonymous
2008-01-20 15:24:01 UTC
Permalink
Are you the original owner? I don't know about Lexus,
but typically, intermittent electrical problems can be a
sign of a vehicle with a drowned history.

Additionally, I thought "everything" was covered on a
Lexus with a manufacturer's warranty.
Post by David Z
It must suck being you.
Post by mcbrue
Whee! Intermittant electrical problems - the great joy of the
electricized and datacized car. This is especialy true for the Lexus
brand owners as Lexus does not cover some of these problems with its
new car warranty. One problem is that sometimes - and no, I can't nail
"when" down - the right front bumper sensor goes off. Real irritating.
And then after a couple of days it stops and runs properly. This is
the famous detector that was doing this and Lexus said that it would
not be covered by warranty. However, after taking it out of the shop,
it ran properly. So it has reappeared a few times, for a couple of
days each time. And now I have the automatic wiper taking a swipe or
two at the windshield and then stopping. This wiper problem has
surfaced after driving the car over roads that have been coated with
salt brine, but none is visible on the windshield. Of course the
wipers don't clean the cheapo glass right anyway, but the sensor area
seems to be clear. Gosh, this sure is a lovely experience owing this
car! The banging jerking tranny and the grinding, jerking brakes do
provide some distraction from the electrical misbehaviour, though. The
car is a 2006 430 LS ultra. Any ideas on the electrical problems? This
car did have to have its $7000 radar unit replaced so the cruise
control would work.
Ray O
2008-01-20 16:58:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by Anonymous
Are you the original owner? I don't know about Lexus,
but typically, intermittent electrical problems can be a
sign of a vehicle with a drowned history.
Intermittent electrical problems caused by being "drowned" are not a
manufacturing defect and so are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Post by Anonymous
Additionally, I thought "everything" was covered on a
Lexus with a manufacturer's warranty.
Only defects in materials or workmanship are covered by the Lexus warranty.
Dirt on the sensors is not a manufacturing defect, and keeping the car clean
is the owner's responsibility.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Anonymous
2008-01-20 17:17:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Are you the original owner? I don't know about Lexus,
but typically, intermittent electrical problems can be a
sign of a vehicle with a drowned history.
Intermittent electrical problems caused by being "drowned" are not a
manufacturing defect and so are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Yes, I certainly understand that. Perhaps I missed an
earlier discussion, are you saying the dealer deemed
the car water damaged/drowned history?
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Additionally, I thought "everything" was covered on a
Lexus with a manufacturer's warranty.
Only defects in materials or workmanship are covered by the Lexus
warranty. Dirt on the sensors is not a manufacturing defect, and keeping
the car clean is the owner's responsibility.
--
Yes, I understand that also. But the OP seemed to be
complaining about issues that I assumed were not just
caused by dirt(aka confirmed/denied dirt cause). Per-
haps I misunderstood.
Post by Ray O
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
David Z
2008-01-20 17:40:13 UTC
Permalink
Perhaps I missed an earlier discussion...
Yes. Years of discussions.

Do a search on "mcbrue" in this newsgroup and you'll find years of his
whiney, stupid trolling.
Ray O
2008-01-20 18:10:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Anonymous
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Are you the original owner? I don't know about Lexus,
but typically, intermittent electrical problems can be a
sign of a vehicle with a drowned history.
Intermittent electrical problems caused by being "drowned" are not a
manufacturing defect and so are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Yes, I certainly understand that. Perhaps I missed an
earlier discussion, are you saying the dealer deemed
the car water damaged/drowned history?
No, The OP has never mentioned that the vehicle was drowned or submerged in
water, but even if it were, it would not be covered by the automaker's
warranty.
Post by Anonymous
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Additionally, I thought "everything" was covered on a
Lexus with a manufacturer's warranty.
Only defects in materials or workmanship are covered by the Lexus
warranty. Dirt on the sensors is not a manufacturing defect, and keeping
the car clean is the owner's responsibility.
--
Yes, I understand that also. But the OP seemed to be
complaining about issues that I assumed were not just
caused by dirt(aka confirmed/denied dirt cause). Per-
haps I misunderstood.
The symptoms that the OP is complaining are most likely caused by dirt.

Occasional, "phantom" wipes of the windshield wipers is caused by dirt over
the windshield sensor that the sensor interprets as water. The windshield
may appear to be clean, but dirt over the sensor, which is not visible from
inside the car, would be wiped away if you get out of the car and take a
look. I remedy this problem in my car by leaving the windshield wipers in
the off position most of the time and in the auto position on those days
with intermittent or continuous rain and snow.

If the parking sensors are heavily obstructed with snow, ice, salt, dirt,
etc., the parking system cannot tell the difference between that stuff and
another object that is close by, so it beeps. If the obstruction keeps up
with the car,, i.e., the "object" keeps up with the car as it is going down
the road, the system knows that the sensor is obstructed and gives a
message. Cleaning the sensors solves the problem.

The OP's Lexus dealer probably washes his car after they have it in the
shop, so the problems are gone until the car gets dirty again.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Anonymous
2008-01-20 19:31:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Are you the original owner? I don't know about Lexus,
but typically, intermittent electrical problems can be a
sign of a vehicle with a drowned history.
Intermittent electrical problems caused by being "drowned" are not a
manufacturing defect and so are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Yes, I certainly understand that. Perhaps I missed an
earlier discussion, are you saying the dealer deemed
the car water damaged/drowned history?
No, The OP has never mentioned that the vehicle was drowned or submerged
in water, but even if it were, it would not be covered by the automaker's
warranty.
Post by Anonymous
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Additionally, I thought "everything" was covered on a
Lexus with a manufacturer's warranty.
Only defects in materials or workmanship are covered by the Lexus
warranty. Dirt on the sensors is not a manufacturing defect, and keeping
the car clean is the owner's responsibility.
--
Yes, I understand that also. But the OP seemed to be
complaining about issues that I assumed were not just
caused by dirt(aka confirmed/denied dirt cause). Per-
haps I misunderstood.
The symptoms that the OP is complaining are most likely caused by dirt.
Occasional, "phantom" wipes of the windshield wipers is caused by dirt
over the windshield sensor that the sensor interprets as water. The
windshield may appear to be clean, but dirt over the sensor, which is not
visible from inside the car, would be wiped away if you get out of the car
and take a look. I remedy this problem in my car by leaving the
windshield wipers in the off position most of the time and in the auto
position on those days with intermittent or continuous rain and snow.
If the parking sensors are heavily obstructed with snow, ice, salt, dirt,
etc., the parking system cannot tell the difference between that stuff and
another object that is close by, so it beeps. If the obstruction keeps up
with the car,, i.e., the "object" keeps up with the car as it is going
down the road, the system knows that the sensor is obstructed and gives a
message. Cleaning the sensors solves the problem.
The OP's Lexus dealer probably washes his car after they have it in the
shop, so the problems are gone until the car gets dirty again.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Thanks - David Z. and Ray O....
Ray O
2008-01-20 19:39:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Anonymous
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Are you the original owner? I don't know about Lexus,
but typically, intermittent electrical problems can be a
sign of a vehicle with a drowned history.
Intermittent electrical problems caused by being "drowned" are not a
manufacturing defect and so are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Yes, I certainly understand that. Perhaps I missed an
earlier discussion, are you saying the dealer deemed
the car water damaged/drowned history?
No, The OP has never mentioned that the vehicle was drowned or submerged
in water, but even if it were, it would not be covered by the automaker's
warranty.
Post by Anonymous
Post by Ray O
Post by Anonymous
Additionally, I thought "everything" was covered on a
Lexus with a manufacturer's warranty.
Only defects in materials or workmanship are covered by the Lexus
warranty. Dirt on the sensors is not a manufacturing defect, and
keeping the car clean is the owner's responsibility.
--
Yes, I understand that also. But the OP seemed to be
complaining about issues that I assumed were not just
caused by dirt(aka confirmed/denied dirt cause). Per-
haps I misunderstood.
The symptoms that the OP is complaining are most likely caused by dirt.
Occasional, "phantom" wipes of the windshield wipers is caused by dirt
over the windshield sensor that the sensor interprets as water. The
windshield may appear to be clean, but dirt over the sensor, which is not
visible from inside the car, would be wiped away if you get out of the
car and take a look. I remedy this problem in my car by leaving the
windshield wipers in the off position most of the time and in the auto
position on those days with intermittent or continuous rain and snow.
If the parking sensors are heavily obstructed with snow, ice, salt, dirt,
etc., the parking system cannot tell the difference between that stuff
and another object that is close by, so it beeps. If the obstruction
keeps up with the car,, i.e., the "object" keeps up with the car as it is
going down the road, the system knows that the sensor is obstructed and
gives a message. Cleaning the sensors solves the problem.
The OP's Lexus dealer probably washes his car after they have it in the
shop, so the problems are gone until the car gets dirty again.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Thanks - David Z. and Ray O....
You're welcome!
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
St. John Smythe
2008-01-20 21:21:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ray O
If the parking sensors are heavily obstructed with snow, ice, salt, dirt,
etc., the parking system cannot tell the difference between that stuff and
another object that is close by, so it beeps. If the obstruction keeps up
with the car,, i.e., the "object" keeps up with the car as it is going down
the road, the system knows that the sensor is obstructed and gives a
message. Cleaning the sensors solves the problem.
I *think* mcfool lives in north Georgia, where it snowed yesterday.
--
St. John
"If you understand what you're doing, you're not learning anything."
-A. L.
j***@hotmail.com
2008-01-22 05:38:24 UTC
Permalink
Yeah, I thought the bumper-to-bumper warranty should have covered it.
But the dealer rejected it? Maybe Toyota should teach that dealer
about "Lexus Care".
Post by Anonymous
Are you the original owner? I don't know about Lexus,
but typically, intermittent electrical problems can be a
sign of a vehicle with a drowned history.
Additionally, I thought "everything" was covered on a
Lexus with a manufacturer's warranty.
mcbrue
2008-01-23 06:44:22 UTC
Permalink
I bought the car as a new car, but it had been driven 500 miles by
some one else. Interesting. One of my lawyer friends did suggest a
hungry young fellow who might want to pursue a class action suit, but
I signed the papers purchasing the car with the 500 miles on it so it
is my problem. Dealership owner declined to speak with me but he is a
good god fearing christian and has a minister on staff to care for the
spiritual needs of his sales staff according to articles in the paper.
He has three or four other brand stores also. I purchased two ES 3nn s
prior to this 06 LS430 Ultra. Problems with the ES were limited to one
tranny which blew on the 1993, a known problem, and the bad brakes on
the 2000. I always moved up in cars over my life, so I found the ES s
to be great. But I bought a couple of Mercedes in between the ESs now
owned by wife and this LS. The Mercedes are great cars, properly
engineered as luxury cars, and designed for go. Unfortunately they
break down. The Lexus is a sham luxury car, engineered for show, not
go. They do not normaly break down. Lexus itself does not honor the
warranty on the car's beeper thingies on the bumper - not a dealer
problem. So I have not been posting and whining about the Lexus for
several years, only since late 06. And my gripes have to do with the
idiotic lack of proper engineering in the car - no tint in the windows
except too narrow a band in the windshield, for example. I could go on
for many pages listing this sort of problem. Now on to the important
details:

The sensors were all clean, so it is not something that simple, drat!
The problems have cleared up now, so I can't just take it into the
dealer and have them give it the wall job as it has fixed itself. It
does not correlate with rain or snow storms either - drat again! I
think the wiper could have been caused by salt on the windshield, but
it was not visible to the nekid (thas naked to you yankees!) eye.
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