Just to cheer you all up, lol - the engine management light came on the IS on the way home from work yesterday. Car didn't seem any different and is still running fine. Took it into Lexus Teesside who rang a diagnostic & said it looks like the cat is fubar'd (bloody marvellous) and that would be £1000 to fix. I paid peanuts for the car really so am not overly bothered, but I am categorically not spending anything like that on it.

I've looked on the Bay and there are loads of cats on there, varying prices eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-IS200-Mk1-2-0-Main-Catalytic-Converter-CAT-/261048023281?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cc7acb8f1 or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/exhaust-catalytic-converter-lexus-is200-99-05-breaking-sheffield-/250867346871?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a68dbedb7

My mechanic Phil doesn't do exhausts but he takes his own cars to a decent local exhaust place I've used a few times and they've always done a good job (they've even done stuff for free for me, Marc reckons the bloke in there fancies me :shifty: ), I know they'd fit a used part for me although I will enquire how much they could do the whole job for me. I don't mind spending a bit of money on this car, as despite the 130k miles on it, it still drives beautifully & I'm saving on running & insurance costs but I'm never ever gonna pay Lexus a grand to fix a car valued at £1900!!

Cheers

JAnus

Before you go head long into a cat purchase, be careful that you have been told correctly what the problem is.

 

Your Lexus is OBD2 compliant and as such has a whole host of sensors reporting back to the ECU, these can often ( wrongly) produce a generic code that will bring the engine management lights on but will not point directly to the actual cause just a rough idea.

 

If the car felt the same with the light on ie: not in limp home mode I would first be checking 02 sensors as these are among the very few that can cause an eml light without actually triggering the limp home mode.

 

A code check/ scan may show some other errror codeds unrelated to the issue today but one`s that can be used to build a picture if what is the current problem this to be honest is where you need a specialist not a main dealer who will be happy to throw parts at the problem with you collecting the bill until they hit on the correct solution! personally I dont think a cat can be ok one moment and gone the next.

 

Do a google search for anyone close by and also check out the Lexus forum as always the best place to start is often the forum that suits your car.

 

Good luck and spend your cash wisely.

 

Jeff TT

Edited June 20, 201213 yr by JeffTT

Brilliant Jeff, thanks, I knew if I posted on here I'd get some sensible advice. I've just Googled to see if there is an independent Lexus specialist locally. Failing that I'll ask some of my local car chums if they have the diagnostic thing and we'll see if we can find the fault codes that way. Like I said, the car still hasn't missed a beat, it has not gone into limp home mode and if the light wasn't on the dash, you would never know there was an issue (& I kicked its head in a few times, just to see, & it was fine - & yes I know you're not supposed to when the eml light is on, before I get told off)

I'll see what I can investigate locally whilst I'm off shift and see if I can get a different diagnosis.

cheers for your help

J x

 

Before you go head long into a cat purchase, be careful that you have been told correctly what the problem is.

Your Lexus is OBD2 compliant and as such has a whole host of sensors reporting back to the ECU, these can often ( wrongly) produce a generic code that will bring the engine management lights on but will not point directly to the actual cause just a rough idea.

If the car felt the same with the light on ie not in limp home mode I would first be checking 02 sensors as these are amoung the few that can cause an eml light without actually triggering the limp home mode.

 

A code check/ scan may show some other errror codeds unrelated to the issue today but ones that can be used to build a picture if what is the current problem this to be honest is where you need a specialist not a main dealer who will be happy to throw parts at the problem with you collecting the bill until they hit on the correct solution! personally I dont think a cat can be ok one moment and gone the next.

 

Do a google search for anyone close by and also check out teh Lexus forum as always the best place to start is often the forum that suits your car.

 

Good luck and spend your cash wisely.

 

Jeff TT

I have had two cars with engine managment light on recently both where fixed with new 02 sensors so as Jeff has said I would check them out.

Don't just look for Lexus specialists look for independent Toyota ones aswell

The car has been serviced at a local, jap car specialist with a good reputation so I might give them a call actually. I wouldn't mind betting its just an O2 sensor or something far less expensive than a cat. Will call tomorrow and make some enquiries. Cheers fellas

I have had the engine management light "on" on my diesel Vectra for months. The car runs spot on . Passed its MOT and emissions and returned 51mpg on my 600mile trip to Knockhill n back

Vectra? Anyhow Jane, A plug in won't say the Cat is fubar,as Jeff says more than likely a sensor.Emissions check is better for pinpointing the Cat.

try putting some cataclean in the fuel not a fan of addatives but its worked on 9 out of 10 jags with cat efficiancy problems

Car was MOT'd on Saturday just gone, emissions were spot on. Marc reckons there is a new looking lambda sensor, I wonder if this is faulty. I'm gonna ring Marshbrook Motors tomorrow as they've worked on this car from the looks of things, will find out what they know and take it from there. Marc just reset the ECU and has had a fiddle about, he's gonna take it on a run out now and see how it is. Resetting the ECU didn't make the light go off the dash tho. Am not overly worried, the like I said, it running well, I just figure its not the best plan to persist running it without getting it checked. But I won't be taking it back to Lexus Teesside for anything, no matter now lovely their showroom is and how yummy their coffee is!

 

 

Vectra? Anyhow Jane, A plug in won't say the Cat is fubar,as Jeff says more than likely a sensor.Emissions check is better for pinpointing the Cat.

Get him to try unplugging the o2 then back in again, might just be a loose connection?

Ok thanks, might give that a go too

try putting some cataclean in the fuel not a fan of addatives but its worked on 9 out of 10 jags with cat efficiancy problems

Pretty sure he just did that Steamy, although I'll check. Ah cars, not a minute's bother AT ALL with the GS, isn't it bloody typical that the IS is being a little bitch?!! Lol

Get him to try unplugging the o2 then back in again, might just be a loose connection?

The Lexus, realms of the company car and many a discussion in the queue at Costa coffee.. Ive seen a few of these with mega mileage on them. The engine management light comes on for loads or reasons in the Lexus and you have to look at a mix of codes. never heard of a fubard cat on any of them but daft things like damage on the exhaust, misled the emissions sensor, as discussed the o2 sensor, faulty connections. A decent specialist will sort it. Not listed as a specialist but I can recommend Prestige on Preston Farm and they wont rip you off....

Cheers Kev, I used Prestige many years back when I had a Merc and they were excellent. I'm gonna ring Marshbrook in the morning and just find out when they last did the stuff on it and then I'll start making enquiries.

Ta

 

 

The Lexus, realms of the company car and many a discussion in the queue at Costa coffee.. Ive seen a few of these with mega mileage on them. The engine management light comes on for loads or reasons in the Lexus and you have to look at a mix of codes. never heard of a fubard cat on any of them but daft things like damage on the exhaust, misled the emissions sensor, as discussed the o2 sensor, faulty connections. A decent specialist will sort it. Not listed as a specialist but I can recommend Prestige on Preston Farm and they wont rip you off....

Hi Jane,

 

there's always the chance it could be something more simple like a software upgrade being requried......

 

.....Julia's previous Rav-4 had the engine management light persistently coming on; like your car there were no running issues whatsoever. I initially took it to a local garage (Bosch service centre) and their diagnostics kept pointing to the 02 sensors - which they quoted at £250 each BTW. I was not convinced and bit the bullet and took it to a main dealer. They put it on their own diagnostic thingy and simply did a software upgrade which cured the problem totally - for £50 plus VAT!!! Had I believed the Bosch cowboys, I'd have spent either £250 or £500 on 1 or 2 02 sensors end still had the same problem.....

 

I have since been advised by more than one garage that the "universal" diagnostic machines in some non-OEM garages are not always accurate at pin-pointing faults with some Japanese cars. In fact my current local (and trusted) garage has told me he'd rather not attempt to run a diagnostic on the Rav as a main dealer will be better at finding the fault! In your case though, you did go to a main stealer so that kills my theory.....

 

.....but I'd definitely go to another specialist for a second opinion before spending big bucks. A Lexus should not need a new cat even at 130k+ miles! Good luck,

 

Richard:thumbup1:

Cheers Rich

 

The car will most definitely not be getting big bucks spent on it, but I am prepared to spend a little time and money this week, whilst I'm off shift, seeing if I can get to the bottom of the issue. Like you, I'm not convinced there is something actually wrong, although I will be keeping a close eye on fuel economy etc in case it is a sensor. But the car still drives like new, I really cannot fault it, apart form this sodding light! I can't believe that an almost 13 year old car could be this tight and in such good nick. I'm not losing any sleep over it, long gone are my days of stressing about cars. If the fecker breaks I'll get on my new mountain bike lol!!

Hi Jane,

 

there's always the chance it could be something more simple like a software upgrade being requried......

 

.....Julia's previous Rav-4 had the engine management light persistently coming on; like your car there were no running issues whatsoever. I initially took it to a local garage (Bosch service centre) and their diagnostics kept pointing to the 02 sensors - which they quoted at £250 each BTW. I was not convinced and bit the bullet and took it to a main dealer. They put it on their own diagnostic thingy and simply did a software upgrade which cured the problem totally - for £50 plus VAT!!! Had I believed the Bosch cowboys, I'd have spent either £250 or £500 on 1 or 2 02 sensors end still had the same problem.....

 

I have since been advised by more than one garage that the "universal" diagnostic machines in some non-OEM garages are not always accurate at pin-pointing faults with some Japanese cars. In fact my current local (and trusted) garage has told me he'd rather not attempt to run a diagnostic on the Rav as a main dealer will be better at finding the fault! In your case though, you did go to a main stealer so that kills my theory.....

 

.....but I'd definitely go to another specialist for a second opinion before spending big bucks. A Lexus should not need a new cat even at 130k+ miles! Good luck,

 

Richard:thumbup1:

Cheers Rich

 

The car will most definitely not be getting big bucks spent on it, but I am prepared to spend a little time and money this week, whilst I'm off shift, seeing if I can get to the bottom of the issue. Like you, I'm not convinced there is something actually wrong, although I will be keeping a close eye on fuel economy etc in case it is a sensor. But the car still drives like new, I really cannot fault it, apart form this sodding light! I can't believe that an almost 13 year old car could be this tight and in such good nick. I'm not losing any sleep over it, long gone are my days of stressing about cars. If the fecker breaks I'll get on my new mountain bike lol!!

 

Exactly Jane - I doubt there's much wrong with it at all.....

 

.....and you can always do a Homer and pop some black tape over that offending light:biggrin:

 

Richard:thumbup1:

Ha ha or take the bulb out!

Marc took the battery off and put it back on and the eml has gone off, wtf?!

Annoying **** car!!!!

 

 

 

Exactly Jane - I doubt there's much wrong with it at all.....

 

.....and you can always do a Homer and pop some black tape over that offending light:biggrin:

 

Richard:thumbup1:

Ha ha or take the bulb out!

Marc took the battery off and put it back on and the eml has gone off, wtf?!

Annoying **** car!!!!

 

Most cars now have a small led light on a printed circuit which means you cant pull the bulb like on older cars:biggrin:

Been back onto Lexus & got the fault code which is P2002, aka particulate trap efficiency below threshold. So I'll get some of the Cataclean someone recommended & see if that works. Spoke to the garage who used to service the car & they said back in 2008 they diagnosed a faulty lambda sensor & heater circuit but the owner didn't take it back to get fixed. The guy was dead helpful tho & said if that car needs a new cat at 130k miles I'll eat my hat. like I said it sailed thru the MOT on Sat (despite there being a leak in the front near side shock?! Just spotted that too) & the emissions weren't even borderline. Cheers for all the advice. I'm off to the gym then I'm gonna get some Cataclean & see if that helps

Well just back from gym & auto parts shop & so far no eml. Will put the Cataclean in when I've run the fuel down a bit & see how it is. Fingers crossed

Our lass had a Lexus LS300, mint motor & well kept. Something went wrong with the management light & 'no one' could fix it, it went into Lexus, problem solved.

If your gonna own & run a status symbol then unfortunatley you have to spend on em.

If they are not maintained correctly they will de-value for a re-sale.

Thanks. I'm not entirely sure a 13 year old IS200 is a status symbol like the LS400s but I didn't pay much for the car at all, and so far today the eml hasn't appeared (despite the car going into Lexus Teesside yesterday) so I'm not overly concerned. The car drives like new, handles beautifully and I am smitten!

 

Our lass had a Lexus LS300, mint motor & well kept. Something went wrong with the management light & 'no one' could fix it, it went into Lexus, problem solved.

If your gonna own & run a status symbol then unfortunatley you have to spend on em.

If they are not maintained correctly they will de-value for a re-sale.

seems as if prob solved then

Hope so

seems as if prob solved then