Lexus ES Fog Sensor Issues

I've got a 2001 Lexus ES with a gasoline engine, and lately, things have been acting super weird. The fog sensor seems to be throwing a fit – error's stored in the memory, the AC won't kick on sometimes, the spray nozzles froze solid last winter even when it wasn't that cold, and the mirror heating is MIA. Could this all be connected? What could be going on?

4 comment(s)

Sounds frustrating. I had a similar issue with my old Saab 9-3 – weird electrical gremlins causing seemingly unrelated systems to fail. Have you checked the wiring and connectors around the fog sensor? A bad connection there could definitely cause those symptoms you described.

Wiring, huh? I'm not exactly an electrical whiz. Where exactly should I be looking? Is there a specific connector box or something I should be hunting for? Is it even possible to check this myself?

On my Saab, the fog sensor wiring was routed along with other engine bay wiring, so corrosion and general wear and tear were the culprits. Best bet is to trace the wires from the sensor itself and look for any obvious breaks or corrosion. Honestly, though, unless you're comfortable with auto electrics, you're probably better off taking it to a workshop. They’ll diagnose properly.

Thanks, that confirms my suspicion. I feared it was more than I can handle on my own. I've got it booked in for a proper diagnosis and fix -- turns out it’s a defective cable or plug connection. Quoted about 95€, so not the end of the world! Thanks for the tip!

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