I have a 2008 Lexus IS250. VSC and engine are flashing. Can a good mechanic fix tthe problem or must I go to dealer?

Asked by Roxee Dec 05, 2015 at 11:11 AM about the 2008 Lexus IS

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Lexis dealer installed new battery a year ago.  Recently it died and had to
have a new one installed.  I heard a ticking sound while driving so returned to
dealer who advised I had a cracked belt and tensioner which needed
replacement at cost of $1200.  I took it to my mechanic who checked and
found nothing was wrong and the dealer was only out to sell me unnecceasy
and costly repairs.  Will never return to dealer if I can help it.  in the past, I
have always had dealer repair problems at high cost and now that it is too
late, I am questioning if they're re indeed necessary.

3 Answers

FordNut answered 8 years ago

Your Lexus has timing chain, so the dealer must have been doing the serpentine belt. You got taken to the cleaners big-time. Shame on them. A good shop can fix your car, and a serpentine belt costs maybe $100 (very high estimate) and takes 15 minutes to install. Add new tensioner and time/labor -- maybe another $200 on top of that. Now, there is nothing wrong with your VSC, Vehicle Stability Control. Whenever the OBDII detects anything amiss in the drive train the ECU automatically shuts off the TRAC and VSC so no non-driver input is applied to any wheels, brake or power.... which is what VSC does. But this still does not answer why the CEL, Check Engine Light came on in the first place. A crack (if it ever had one) in the serpentine belt will not throw a code. That needs an OBDII scan

10 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

FordNut answered 8 years ago

Re-reading your question, I assumed you paid the $1200. I misunderstood. But good for you, didn't fall for that. Your mechanic is right

10 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful
20

Guru9YF6P answered 7 years ago

Just replaced a battery on 2009 Lexus IS250 and it was fine until the next day. It didn't start and noticed smoke. Could it be the Serpentine Belt or Alternator?

2 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

IS

Looking for a Used IS in your area?

CarGurus has 342 nationwide IS listings starting at $5,800.

Postal Code:

Shortcuts

Search Lexus IS Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    jdm4life3818
    Reputation
    1,890
  • #2
    Joshua Schultz
    Reputation
    1,430
  • #3
    PrinceCharles1980
    Reputation
    600
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Lexus ES
6 Great Deals out of 197 listings starting at $4,500
Used Lexus GS
21 listings starting at $6,995
Used BMW 3 Series
71 Great Deals out of 1,191 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota Camry
51 Great Deals out of 944 listings starting at $2,212
Used Honda Accord
43 Great Deals out of 914 listings starting at $2,799
Used Lexus LS
25 listings starting at $11,888
Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class
88 Great Deals out of 1,415 listings starting at $3,499
Used Honda Civic
162 Great Deals out of 3,375 listings starting at $2,230
Used Ford Mustang
51 Great Deals out of 1,253 listings starting at $4,995
Used Lexus RX
33 Great Deals out of 894 listings starting at $4,200
Used Dodge Charger
41 Great Deals out of 602 listings starting at $4,888

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.