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 6 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 5,313 nationwide IS listings starting at $1,000.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2008 Lexus IS

Write a car review

Review another car

Shortcuts

Search Lexus IS Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    jdm4life3818
    Reputation
    1,880
  • #2
    Joshua Schultz
    Reputation
    1,430
  • #3
    PrinceCharles1980
    Reputation
    600
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Lexus GS
86 Great Deals out of 1,049 listings starting at $1,650
Used Lexus ES
459 Great Deals out of 8,695 listings starting at $1,000
Used Toyota Camry
2,091 Great Deals out of 37,807 listings starting at $575
Used BMW 3 Series
1,161 Great Deals out of 13,098 listings starting at $516
Used Honda Accord
1,513 Great Deals out of 29,433 listings starting at $600
Used Lexus LS
111 Great Deals out of 1,734 listings starting at $3,300
Used Honda Civic
1,371 Great Deals out of 29,067 listings starting at $600
Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class
981 Great Deals out of 16,942 listings starting at $1,300
Used Ford Mustang
877 Great Deals out of 23,035 listings starting at $1,150
Used Lexus RX
871 Great Deals out of 14,786 listings starting at $1,100
Used Dodge Charger
740 Great Deals out of 29,818 listings starting at $1,900

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Lexus IS For Sale
1,695 listings starting at $41,201
2023 Lexus IS For Sale
10 Great Deals out of 391 listings starting at $36,000
2022 Lexus IS For Sale
14 Great Deals out of 218 listings starting at $28,899
2021 Lexus IS For Sale
26 Great Deals out of 528 listings starting at $25,195
2020 Lexus IS For Sale
13 Great Deals out of 166 listings starting at $21,795

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.