Bags packed and dash has just lit up like a Christmas tree!

[Matt UK]

I accept that running older cars means that things wear out and need replacing, but you've got to love the timing

Lexus dash has just lit up and we are heading for the slopes tomorrow!

Purring like a kitten though, power is still there, smooth gearchanges and mpg seems as ste as usual..

My bet is an o2 sensor - I had an issue earlier in the year with a burnt valve. Got it fixed and an o2 sensor went soon after. Mechanic did say that when one goes the others are not normally far behind...

So, I need to put 2,000 motorway miles on the jalopy over the next 2 weeks - how much damage am I going to do if it is an o2 sensor? Ruin the cat?

Edited by Matt UK on Thursday 22 December 20:34

[hornetrider]

Got an indy who can look at it in the morning?

[cptsideways]

Disconnect battery, press & hold brake pedal for 20 secs, reconnect battery. take it for an Italian tune up. My bet is it will be fine.

[jimxms]

Get the code(s) read before you go just to make sure that it is only the o2 sensor. If it is, don't worry too much. I ran my Lex for a few hundred miles when it was overfueling like mad and it didn't do any harm other than entertain me with lots of exhaust pops.

A quick, dirty and free way for you to fix it though would be to splice the feed from the good o2 sensor over to the dead one at the ECU.

[Matt UK]

hornetrider said:

Got an indy who can look at it in the morning?

He's about 40 miles away - I'm going to call in the morning, but even if he has the part in stock (he didn't last time and had to order in) the timings will be mighty tight and will rely on him doing a 60min max job and no traffic hold ups on the Dartford Crossing...

[Matt UK]

cptsideways said:

Disconnect battery, press & hold brake pedal for 20 secs, reconnect battery. take it for an Italian tune up. My bet is it will be fine.

Liking your thinking - quick, easy, DIY.

Thanks

[jimxms]

Matt UK said:

Liking your thinking - quick, easy, DIY.

Thanks

Do that and it might get rid of the light for 100 miles...until you're in the middle of nowhere. Then if it pops back up and it's not the o2 sensor, you might be in the brown stuff.

[Matt UK]

jimxms said:

Get the code(s) read before you go just to make sure that it is only the o2 sensor. If it is, don't worry too much. I ran my Lex for a few hundred miles when it was overfueling like mad and it didn't do any harm other than entertain me with lots of exhaust pops.

A quick, dirty and free way for you to fix it though would be to splice the feed from the good o2 sensor over to the dead one at the ECU.

Yup, that's a good shout - might run it into a local place and get a quick code read.

Good advise.

[Adam111]

Buy an AA warrenty and go flat b*llock out, straight to the slopes!

[Ozzie Osmond]

Battery?

If it's weak the voltage drop during cranking can send the electronics haywire before the alternator kicks in. And if it's a weak battery you don't want to be heading anywhere colder with it any event because it will just make the problem worse.

[anonymous-user]

I'd probably do as above, get euro breakdown cover and go for it.

[Matt UK]

Thanks for the advice, new battery installed and down to the alps and back with no drama.

Thought I'd give the posters on this thread a bit of closure, as I'm sure you've all been wondering

[hornetrider]

Finally I can sleep you tosser!!

[Matt UK]

Rest easy now, my friend

[hornetrider]