ES300 Check Engine Warning Light

[ScottNM]

I have a 2000 Lexus ES300 that I just recently bought. The car has 67,000 miles on it. We live in New Mexico, but we are currently visiting family in Southern California. Yesterday while driving down a steep grade with several sharp curves the "Engine Malfunction" and "Trac Off" warning lights came on at the same time and stayed on. I thought that it might be a false warning so a disconnected and reconnected the battery. The warning lights are now both off. Has anyone experienced this situation? Do you think I still need to have the codes read a Lexus Dealer or is the fact that the warning lights have stayed off proof that it was a false warning?

Thanks in advance for any help. We are concerned and far from home.
.......Scott

[tomjane]

I have been having similar experiences with my ES300. Two months ago the check engine/trac off lights came on. The dealer replaced the "mass engine flow sensor" and the light went off. One week later the light was back. This time the code showed a defective coil which was replaced. Light went out. Today the light came back on again. The car runs fine. Not sure what to do.

[Joe W]

You still need the codes read as they are still stored in the computer.Autozone will usually do this for free.Disconnecting the battery on anything "97 or newer will not reset the codes.

[cas951]

Scott,
I have the same problem. After you disconnected the battery did the lights come back on after awhile?

[Chapol]

Same lights came on in my '99, 54,000 mile ES300 recently. I called the dealer, who said it is possibly either the oxygen sensors (I have this happen on my '90 Camry) or I didn't tighten the gas cap enough. If that is the case, the lights should reset after a number of starts. He claimed it was ok to drive the car. Don't know if this helps or not.

[preetham]

Hi All,
Even I have the same problem.I did take it to Autozone,it showed Oxygen sensor issue.Changed three sensors(thats what my mechanic told me) only one left it rear one.
Drove the car for 900 miles and it came back.(both Check engine and track off).What to do now.Is there any solution for this.My car is a 2000 model and has 77000 miles on it.
Please HELP ME!!!!!

[jagiffen]

I have a 99 Es300. CE & Trak off lights came on . codes said coil. replaced engine coil and light went out then came back on this time says faulty speed sensor and O2 sensor warning. This has been going on and off for months. when lights on RPM are high and tranny shifts back and forth from gear to gear while driving at same speed. then sometimes lights just go out and everything is fine then they come back on. Giff

[jdmccright]

My guess is the O2 sensors and coil are not related to your problem. You need to check the level and condition of the transmission fluid and transfer case fluid. IF they are low and looks brown or smells burned, it needs to be changed along with the filter. When the pan is pulled, look at the magnet on the pan to see any large metallic particles...a grey sludge all over it is normal. The PCM may be sensing a problem with the transmission and thus is disabling the traction control to prevent damage caused by the jerking motion.

I would not recommmend a fluid flush. Drain, remove the pan to replace the filter and clean the magnet, and refill. Have the local parts store clear the codes. Drive 100-200 miles, then drain & fill again (no need to remove the pan). If the condition is still present, then read the codes and post back. Hope this helps!

[upndair767]

1996 ES 300 - Original owner -115,985 miles and runs great. I hosed down a cold engine with cold high pressure water hose to clean off engine compartment. A few days later the Amber "Check Engine" light illuminated while on the freeway. We don't have the "Trac Off" Light. What is that? There are no transmission issues. Everything runs great.

I hosed down a cold engine again with high pressure cold water. Reason. Make it fail so it can be found. Light stayed on, no transmission issues.

After a few days and about 50 miles the light went away. After about a week the light came back on again at engine start. Transmission and all work great. Smooth shifting and no sign of trouble. I Checked gas cap and it looks clean and appears to seal nicely.

I'm thinking I got water up into a switch or sensor somewhere. Maybe it will dry out and go away again.

I Will have dealer read the computer soon.