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

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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

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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?

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