I'm in one of those situations you can't believe happened to you... I went on vacation a few weeks ago, left the car in the driveway (like it has been daily for the last 8-9 years). Came home a week later, and noticed the throttle didn't 'pop' like it usually does, it was fairly sluggish off the line. Then saw that the CEL was on, so took it to the dealer, and the code read knock sensor error. They inspected it and saw that a mouse had decided the space under the intake looked like a good place to set up home. And there was free lunch there too! My wiring and vacuum hoses that is.
I was in a pinch, so I ok'ed the repair. They suggested that since the car has 170,000 miles on it, it'd be a good idea since the intake was already off, to replace the knock sensors. After swallowing hard, I said to just do it. $1250 later I get my car back, running like it did before I went on my (now much more expensive) vacation.
I had it back home for 3 days, and noticed that the check engine light was back on again, so I assumed that they had knocked something loose while they were doing the repair, or maybe hadn't reconnected a sensor properly. I dropped it back off, and got a call the next morning, saying you aren't going to believe this, but it looks like that mouse had came back! They hadn't pulled the intake, but looked around under there with a flashlight and mirror, and it appears that it happened again. This time it would _only_ cost about $850. Only. On top of the $1200 I've already spent. At that point, I decided that, as they had already done the hard work for me (pulling it apart the first time, and breaking whatever was going to break during the removal), I was going to fix it myself.
They had said that the 1st repair had replaced some vacuum hoses, and repaired some wires. I called the parts dept, because I am not a fan of splicing and shrink tubing wires, I'd rather have new in there, if available and reasonably priced. Talking to the parts guy, he said that I would need housings and terminals, and make up new wires. I asked him about just replacing the top of engine harness, because I don't want to possibly miss a small nick that the rodent had made on one of the numerous wires under there, and a few years down the road have another CEL come on or wire corrode and break. He said that he would have to do some digging, but he didn't believe that they were available. I have yet to hear back from them, but does anyone here know if they are, as that would be ideal for me. Relatively quick and painless, except for my wallet of course.
I had just put about $3k into it about 7-9 months ago, including aftermarket cats, because my wife loves the car, and we're pretty much keeping it till the wheels fall off, or so I am told. So I'm pretty much married to it at this point. If anyone could pass along any info on it, or what they have done in a similiar situation with their LS400, I'd appreciate it. Also, comments/suggestions regarding any gotchas or things to look out for when pulling the intake, or doing the harness would also be greatly appreciated.
On a side note, I've gone full Caddyshack on this rodent. Well, almost. Sadly no explosives, but I did hit the store and have bought about 15-20 enclosed poison traps, and have placed them strategically around the cars and front of the house, as well as near some trees next to the driveway. That rodent will rue the day he ever messed with me, and cost me about $1500 and a weekend of my time...
I was in a pinch, so I ok'ed the repair. They suggested that since the car has 170,000 miles on it, it'd be a good idea since the intake was already off, to replace the knock sensors. After swallowing hard, I said to just do it. $1250 later I get my car back, running like it did before I went on my (now much more expensive) vacation.
I had it back home for 3 days, and noticed that the check engine light was back on again, so I assumed that they had knocked something loose while they were doing the repair, or maybe hadn't reconnected a sensor properly. I dropped it back off, and got a call the next morning, saying you aren't going to believe this, but it looks like that mouse had came back! They hadn't pulled the intake, but looked around under there with a flashlight and mirror, and it appears that it happened again. This time it would _only_ cost about $850. Only. On top of the $1200 I've already spent. At that point, I decided that, as they had already done the hard work for me (pulling it apart the first time, and breaking whatever was going to break during the removal), I was going to fix it myself.
They had said that the 1st repair had replaced some vacuum hoses, and repaired some wires. I called the parts dept, because I am not a fan of splicing and shrink tubing wires, I'd rather have new in there, if available and reasonably priced. Talking to the parts guy, he said that I would need housings and terminals, and make up new wires. I asked him about just replacing the top of engine harness, because I don't want to possibly miss a small nick that the rodent had made on one of the numerous wires under there, and a few years down the road have another CEL come on or wire corrode and break. He said that he would have to do some digging, but he didn't believe that they were available. I have yet to hear back from them, but does anyone here know if they are, as that would be ideal for me. Relatively quick and painless, except for my wallet of course.
I had just put about $3k into it about 7-9 months ago, including aftermarket cats, because my wife loves the car, and we're pretty much keeping it till the wheels fall off, or so I am told. So I'm pretty much married to it at this point. If anyone could pass along any info on it, or what they have done in a similiar situation with their LS400, I'd appreciate it. Also, comments/suggestions regarding any gotchas or things to look out for when pulling the intake, or doing the harness would also be greatly appreciated.
On a side note, I've gone full Caddyshack on this rodent. Well, almost. Sadly no explosives, but I did hit the store and have bought about 15-20 enclosed poison traps, and have placed them strategically around the cars and front of the house, as well as near some trees next to the driveway. That rodent will rue the day he ever messed with me, and cost me about $1500 and a weekend of my time...
